Over the Hill Gang automobile club is still on road

The often-acclaimed group will celebrate its 30th anniversary on April 18.

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By Shirley Belcher, Contributing Writer 2:47 PM Friday, April 17, 2009

They may not have felt “over the hill” when they started the Over The Hill Gang car club — but then, that was 30 years ago.

The club, which has members ranging in age from 25 to 70, will celebrate its 30th anniversary on April 18 by inviting former and current members to a car show.

Member Ted Landis said they need younger members. “A lot of us are getting older. Over the Hill Gang used to be the cars.”

The group started with a couple of members who loved cars and loved to travel.

Original member Leland “Corky” Unger said, “I think Dave (Shock) was the first one of us who decided to build a street rod, a Model A coupe.”

Landis of Eaton said the group started with 11 and now has about 40 families, with wives, sons and daughters involved. They put on car shows and raise money for the community. Most members build their own cars or buy one and change it to fit their needs, many appearing in national magazines or winning awards at national car shows.

“One big thing about our club is that we drive our cars,” said Landis.

Founding members are David and Janice Shock of Eaton, Unger of New Hope, John Beres of Richmond, Ind., Norman Smith of New Paris and June Miller, of Eaton and husband, Richard “Tex” Miller, now deceased.

Former founder members are Richard and Shirley Helton, Glen and Mickey Patrick, Dennis Mike Patrick, Daniel Richard Patrick, William and Betty Sams and Larry Thompson.

Helton had his ’32 Ford, a hot rod national champion, in Hot Rod Magazine, two years in a row. “That was the only car that was ever honored two years in a row,” said Unger.

On Aug. 29, the group will hold its annual car show in downtown Eaton, which raises money for charity. Last year, the Over the Hill Gang gave $750 to the Eaton food bank and $750 to the New Lebanon food bank.

For more information, call Landis at (937) 456-1933.

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