By David Eck
Enquirer contributor

PHOTO GALLERY

Oldsmobiles on display

SHARONVILLE - When Brian McCallister sold his motorcycle for a safer toy several years ago, there was little doubt what the Kansas City, Mo., attorney would get.

"My grandfather and my father were both Oldsmobile guys," he said. "My grandfather bought a 442 every year. They saw him coming at Yates Oldsmobile (in St. Louis). They loved him."

It was a natural, then, that McCallister would seek out an Olds when he went looking for a classic to restore and show.

His gleaming red 1966 442 - loaded with original equipment such as a power antenna and power windows - is one of nearly 500 classic Oldsmobiles on display at the Oldsmobile Club of America's annual national meet being held this week at the Sharonville Convention Center.

The show runs through today.

Olds enthusiasts from across the country brought their gleaming, polished classics. It's the first time the meet has been held in Greater Cincinnati. Up to 2,000 people are expected to attend.

"It's basically a car club whose primary goal is the preservation of Oldsmobiles," said Greg Minges, a member of the OCA's local chapter and the owner of nine Oldsmobiles. "The nice thing about these shows is that there's a lot of nice cars. It's usually kind of a big family that gets together every year."

Car owners spent Friday sitting in cloth chairs next to their gleaming vehicles chatting with visitors asking about the cars.

They don't try to hide their affection for the nameplate.

"The Fords and Chevys were every man's car. The Oldsmobile was the car you strived to get," said Ray Schriver of Vermontville, Mich., who brought his 1966 Oldsmobile Holiday coupe to the meet. "I've been an Oldsmobile mechanic for just shy of 40 years. I kind of grew up with them, basically."

For some, driving Oldsmobiles is a family tradition.

"My mom had an Olds, my aunt had an Olds," said Dave Plogman, president of the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky chapter of the OCA.

Still, the recent meets have had a slight sadness about them as General Motors phases out the car.

"It gives (owners) a great purpose to come out and show their cars," Plogman said. "My daily drive is an Oldsmobile. It's difficult to see it go away."

The Oldsmobile Club of America's annual national car show and swap meet continues today at the Sharonville Convention Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

E-mail daveck@fuse.net