Liberty Street Car Rally: Cars, coffee & more

For over six years cofounders Danny and Margaret Lollar, owners of On Time Antiques, have hosted a monthly car show on the 2nd Saturday at the Courthouse Square in downtown Liberty. According to Danny, inspired by years of organizing an annual major car show in Houston benefiting Veterans, the Lollar‘s wanted to bring their love of the hobby and the passion folks have for old cars to their new home in Liberty. Starting during a driving rain storm in May 2015 with only two cars, Danny’s 1967 Chevrolet El Camino and David Waller’s 1965 Mustang, the show has since never been canceled for rain, sleet, snow, Texas heat, hurricanes or Covid.

While more of a “get together“ than a formal club event, participation has been growing and steady. For example, according to Lollar, over 100 cars circled the courthouse one summer 2 to 3 years ago. Generally, 30 to 60 cars are on display monthly with hundreds of guests and visitors being regaled with stories, loving stories, of rebuilding cars and memories restimulated by glancing into the unforgettable magic moments recalling parents and grandparent’s cars, our own first cars, first dates, first kisses, and more.

Lollar Stresses that any kind of car, truck, or motorcycle is welcome, regardless of condition or state of restoration. No entry fee or registration is required. Donuts, coffee and bottled water are provided by the hosts at On Time Antiques. A lawn chair and enthusiasm are the only recommended accessories.

Cars on display have ranged from a very limited production run Ford GT Supercar, starting at $500K according to Car and Driver magazine, to a young Dayton girl’s beloved rusting mid 1960s Plymouth Fury, a starter project with her father and her own first car. Lollar also says each month informal swap meets are encouraged with folks bringing automobile related items from parts to memorabilia to sell or trade off blankets or card tables on the lawn or sidewalks. One month, he said, one fellow sold over $600 in selected parts for old cars.

Last September, Ed Doolin, a retired speech language pathologist from Hardin and regular participant in the monthly street rally, brought his 1950 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door sedan, a RestoMod (a Restored and Modified vehicle). Ed’s Bel Air is powered by a 350 V-8 GM “crate engine“ about 13 years old, with an automatic transmission. Doolin also said other modifications include front suspension with tubular A-arms, rack and pinion steering from a Ford Thunderbird, A/C, disc brakes, “Frenched” halogen headlights , and LED tail lights. The paint job sparkles in the sun with a translucent three dimensionality. It is a one off formulation based on a 1990s Ford Mist Green color with added pearl pigment derived from ground up clamshell, according to Doolin.

This month’s car show will be Saturday, October 9 at the Courthouse Square in Liberty. For information contact Danny Lollar at 832-256-0114.