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Taj Kreuzers SpeedFest Car Show

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By Skip Peterson, Wheels of the Week Updated 5:04 PM Friday, May 29, 2009

The Taj Kreuzers  SpeedFest Car Show is always a bit different. You never know what to expect when John Dixon and his cronies get together, but their ninth annual car show took an economic twist this year.

“I got together with co-chairs Ed Donovan and Dave Raum, and we decided to make the car show free,” Dixon explained. “Things are kinda tight, so we asked for a donation, but no fee was expected.”

Turned out to be a pretty good idea, as more than 175 import and domestic cars, hot rods and customs filled Lincoln Park Boulevard in Kettering.

Imports (read that as lots of Porsches) outnumbered the American iron in the competition for the  25 awards given out.

The most unique machine on display belonged to Andy Manganaro, who drove his new 2009 Ferrari F430 16M Scuderia Spider. The black two-seater stole the show, and was also given the Most Likely to be Stolen Award. One of only 499 to be built, it features lots of carbon fiber and has paddle shifters on the steering wheel for the 6-speed, F1 transmission. Top speed for the mid-engined V-8 is  195 miles per hour.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Glenn Hamilton brought out his 1935 Alvis Speed 20. The big British roadster seats four and features righthand drive.

“It’s one of only 21 ever built,” Hamilton said. “Only 10 still exist, and this is the only one in the United States.”

Hamilton got the car about four years ago and has been working on the mechanicals and drives it quite a bit.

“It’s just a great touring car, very stable and smooth. It has a straight six with a 4-speed. What’s interesting is the transmission is the first synchronized 4-speed used by a British car, and it’s actually a General Motors transmission,” Hamilton said. “The Alvis is considered to be just a notch below a Bentley in the British pecking order of cars.”

The Best Porsche Award went to Andy Manganaro for his Porsche 356; the Cosmetically Challenged Award went to Bill Altvater for his ’79 Porsche 930 in primer; and the Mayor’s Choice was awarded to Scott Phillips for his 2005 Ford GT.

Proceeds from the Taj Kreuzers SpeedFest benefit the local Ronald McDonald House, Daybreak and  We Care Arts.

For more information about the Taj Kreuzers SpeedFest and upcoming events, go online to www.kreuzers.com.

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