More than 200 cars visit downtown Newburyport

YOU GO GIRL: Shirley Ellison’s ‘Girl Power,’ the 1950 Mercury lead sled built by her late husband Bob, is a favorite at the Newburyport downtown show. Bill Griffith

By Bill Griffith @MrAutoWriter

August 14, 2016

5 minutes to read

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An enigma is supposed to be something that’s hard to explain.

But the Enigma Rod Shop in Billerica is just the opposite when it comes to charitable endeavors. Then its goal is as clear as the finish line at a drag strip.

The shop’s owner, Mike Casey, recently held his 9th annual open house/fundraiser to benefit the Boston arm of the Fisher House, a growing network (65 facilities in the United States and United Kingdom) of houses to support families of veterans receiving treatment at VA hospitals.

“I’d never think of asking for a dime for myself,’’ says Casey, “but I’m never ashamed to put the arm on both friends and strangers for this cause. It’s a great cause for vets and their families. They provide a great service.’’

Each year, Casey and his friends and local hot rod clubs manage to outdo themselves, this year raising not only a significant sum (into five figures), but one that was $2,000 more than last year.

“Not bad for one guy and a lot of his friends,’’ says Enigma’s Mike Casey. “Fisher House became our cause because 97 cents of every dollar raised goes to help the veterans’ families.’’

“These people (Enigma) do an amazing job. Every year they make a donation that’s off the charts from anything you’d hope for from such a small group,’’ says Jen DeLuca, executive director of Fisher House Boston.

“We had 160 cars, 33 passengers, and 130 spectators walk in at the gate,’’ says Casey of this year’s show.

The money came from registration fees, raffles, silent auctions, and just plain donations, helped by one of DeLuca’s stories.

“One night I had a veteran come in and I asked what he was going to be doing here,’’ says DeLuca. “He didn’t respond, and I said I’d get him a ride to his hotel.

“‘Can we walk?’ he asked. So I took off my high heel shoes and we started walking. That’s when he told me he was having both legs amputated the next morning and he wanted to go for a last walk.

“We wound up walking for hours.’’

“You hope there’s a day when people don’t need these services,’’ says Casey. “But we want to help make sure they’re available.’’

“Hot-rodding was started by World War II vets, and they’ve never stopped supporting veterans’ causes,’’ says Casey.

Next Up: Newburyport

Newburyport celebrates its 5th annual “Cruisin’ the ‘50s’’ downtown cruise night on Thursday, Aug. 18. As local shows go, this is a big deal, drawing an estimated 10,000-14,000 visitors to the city between 5-8 p.m.

This “invitation only’’ event features more than 200 cars in a downtown setting of brick buildings, trees, and music.

Car No. 1, as it has been each year, is the customized “Girl Power’’ 1950 Mercury driven by Shirley Ellison.

“I sent out invitations for the first show back in 2012, and it seemed like only the next night I ran into Shirley at Liberty Tree Mall,’’ says show organizer Wes Pettengill. “She was the first with her form and entry fee.

“She’s been No. 1 ever since. It’s become a show tradition. Others have asked if they can be No. 1, but I tell them they’re 1A.’’

Regulars at local cruise nights might notice a few ‘50’s era cars with a decal in the rear window: “In memory of Bob Ellison, 1941-2004.’’

They might wonder, as I did, who was Bob Ellison.

The answer is simple: Bob was one of the founding fathers of the local car culture and loving husband of Shirley.

He was a drag racer, car-builder, radio DJ/entertainer, and someone who gave back to the hobby and sport.

Ellison was a partner and campaigner of the original Boston Strangler Funny Car that helped establish that segment of drag racing.

The Newburyport show is co-sponsored by the city’s Chamber of Commerce and radio station WNBP “The Legends’’ (1450 AM and 106.1 FM).

This year’s show will highlight “Henry’s Finest’’— a display of stock Fords built during Henry Ford’s lifetime, from the original Model T in 1908 until his death in 1947.

“They’ll range from barn finds to show-quality cars,’’ says Pettengill and be displayed together in the Institution for Savings parking lots.

The Model T for decades reigned as the world’s best-selling car, a title that later was taken by the Volkswagen Beetle and now is held by the Toyota Corolla.

Benatti Jewelers on State Street annually sponsors a feature car. This year, the honor goes to Hector Ramiro’s spectacular 1958 Continental Mark III—a convertible with a two-tone roof. The car made its local “debut’’ this summer at the Misselwood Concours d’ Elegance.

Another feature this year will be a Righteous Relics display outside the Newburyport 5 Cent Savings Bank—a collection of early motorcycles, scooters, and Ford V-8 coupes.

As always on this night, says WNBP general manager Carl Strube, “The cars are the stars.’’

Etc.

If you’re up early this morning, Herb Chambers is having Cars ‘n Coffee from 7-10 at his Lexus of Hingham dealership … It’s also BMW Day at Larz Anderson Auto Museum (9 a.m.-2 p.m.) … And the North Shore Old Car Club has its 15th annual vintage show at the Phillips House Museum on Chestnut Street in Salem today from noon-3 p.m. … Next Saturday is MG-Rover Day at Larz Anderson (10-2) and Sunday the museum’s lawn is taken over (also 10-2) for Ford-Lincoln-Mercury Day … Also next Sunday, the Mass. Cruisers have a huge show at the Wrentham Fairgrounds. See masscruisers.com for details … Swedish car fans, save the date: Aug. 28 will be the annual Volvo Village-sponsored Swedish Car Day at Larz Anderson.