IOLA, WI – For longtime car enthusiast Bill Eppright, the Iola Car Show is more than a place to display classic vehicles, it’s a celebration of a passion that began in childhood.
Eppright, who has attended the Iola Car Show for more than 30 years, says his love for automobiles started long before he ever owned a classic car.
“You know, I got into it when I was a kid. I used to play with toy trucks, like probably all of us,” Eppright said.
Among the vehicles he brought to this year’s show is a meticulously restored 1933 Ford, a project that took nearly two decades to complete.
Eppright says restoring the vintage Ford required patience and persistence, especially in an era before the internet made locating rare parts easier.
“That took the longest. That was basically before the internet, so I was going from car show to car show looking for parts and stuff like that,” he said.
He began restoring the Ford in the early to mid-1980s, spending years searching for original components and carefully rebuilding the vehicle before finally completing the restoration in 2003.
Today, the 1933 Ford stands as one of the highlights of Eppright’s collection and a testament to the dedication shared by many of the collectors who gather each year in Iola.
Now in its 53rd year, the Iola Car Show continues to attract thousands of automotive enthusiasts from across the country, showcasing everything from meticulously restored classics to unique custom builds. For collectors like Eppright, it’s also an opportunity to share the stories behind the vehicles and the lifelong passion that keeps them on the road.
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