OWASCO - Two rows of red and green trophies sat on the Emerson Park stage Sunday awaiting their winners, whose real trophies were parked all over the grounds of the park.

Hundreds of people turned out for the 35th Annual Antique Automobile Show to scope out the 225 vintage cars on display.

Organizers awarded 50 prizes, half for modified cars and the rest for stock - or original condition. The last two honors went to the best overall for each of the classes.

“I think half the people don't even care if they win, they're just enjoying the day,” Cathy Casasanta said. The Auburn resident and her husband exhibited one of their three cars, a 1973 Ford Ranchero.

Casasanta enjoys talking to people and spending the day relaxing, she said as she rubbed on sunblock.

The Finger Lakes Region Antique Auto Club of America sponsored the event, which raises money for Meals on Wheels. Last week, members delivered dinner to Auburn and Seneca County seniors in their vintage cars, club president Ed Spedding said. The club recently added Seneca County Meals on Wheels as one of the benefactors.

Besides helping the cause, many spectators went to see blasts from the past, with an occasional car sparking memories of years gone by.

Bob Giusti saw a blue 1948 Dodge similar to the one he owned a half-century ago. The fluid drive car was perfect for learning how to drive a manual transmission, the Port Byron resident said.

“You take off in any gear. Not fast, but you could,” Giusti said.

On the other hand, John Mooney brought his own four-wheel reminder. Mooney was interested in automobiles all his life and finally stumbled upon a Nomad Wagon, similar to the 1955 model he owned in the 1960s. He and his wife, Linda, displayed the Chevrolet, the only vintage model they have, at the show.

Kathy Marlett would love to see vehicles on the road look more like those of the antique variety, before gas prices soared and city streets became clogged with cars. The Sennett resident misses the spaciousness and heavy feel of the earlier automobiles.

But even the idea of classic cars is changing.

Spedding said a new generation of vehicles is coming to car shows. He's seeing a lot more vehicles from 1960s and 1970s displayed.

“As the older owners are dying, the vehicles are going into hibernation. As others rediscover them, it will shift again and (shows) will get more older cars again,” Spedding said.

Last year the grounds became muddy from regular rain. This year's warm day encouraged spectators and car lovers from miles around to enjoy the cars, the food, the vendors or just the company, Spedding said. Many vintage car owners who displayed cars came from the region, but a few drove in from out of state.

Rick Russell drove his car up from Florida, with a gasoline bill totaling more than $400. The Port Byron resident discovered his red and white Buick Special when he was visiting family in Florida.

“If I was looking for it, I wouldn't have found it,” he said. Now it's on the path to become a show car, but the previous owner didn't keep it under a drop cloth in the garage. Scratches run down the 1956 classic's top where the owner strapped on her canoes, Rick said.

Russell plans to repaint it, remove small spots of rust and change the cooling system. He's already made the car his own with a pair of black and white fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view mirror.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net