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Stars and Cars To Highlight 37th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Rod & Custom Car Show

Monticello, Iowa--KCRG TV9 will present the 37th annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Rod & Custom Car Show which will be held at the Monticello Berndes Center, February 25th and 26th, 2006, in Monticello, Iowa. This year's show will feature some of the best cars and stars in the automotive world. Among the cars will be a complete new collection of hot rods, custom cars, street machines, motorcycles, race cars and custom trucks. Among the stars will be Cindy Williams and Paul Le Mat, two of the stars of the 1973 movie "American Graffiti."

The Monticello show is one of the longest running car shows of its type in Iowa, and with the addition of the stars of one the of great "car movies" of all time this year's event should be the best ever. Cindy Williams, who was seen on "Happy Days" and who starred in the long-running show "Laverne and Shirley," was one of the stars of the cult film "American Graffiti" where she played Ron Howard's girl friend. Paul Le Mat, a Vietnam veteran and former boxing champion, starred as John Milner in the movie and the two are currently touring the country together. Movie critics recently placed "American Graffiti" on their list of the Top 100 movies of all time while "Hot Rod" magazine called it the number one "car movie" of all time. Williams and Le Mat will be available for pictures and autographs on Saturday, February 25th from 1 to 5 P.M. and again from 7 to 10 P.M. They will also sign autographs on Sunday, February 26th from noon to 4 P.M. and from 5 to 6 P.M. "We are extremely fortunate to be able to have Cindy and Paul at our show," said Galen Muller, a spokesman for the event. "Their popularity and the popularity of the movie should help make this our biggest show ever. From what we've heard fans all over the country often come up to the pair and tell them how they saw the movie on their first date and things like that," he continued. "It's a great opportunity for our visitors to meet two movie legends." The appearances of Williams and Le Mat continues a long standing tradition for the show which annually attracts some of the top names in the automotive field. "The past few years we've had Angelle Sampey (NHRA motorcycle champion) and Hall of Fame member Shirley Muldowney here and we think we've even topped that this year" Muller said, "We know they'll be a big hit with the fans."

As in previous years the show will feature special awards for cars, trucks and motorcycles as they compete for the prestigious Budweiser trophies which will be presented for the thirtieth consecutive year. Also Hardee's, a sponsor at the show for the past twenty years, will present cash awards to special winners in categories that include the Best Rod (1948 and earlier), Best Custom (1949 - 1964), Best Machine (1965 and later), Best Competition (race cars) and Best Motorcycle. Awards for the best interior, best paint, best display and the "People's Choice and People's Choice Motorcycle" awards are also part of the festivities. "The People's Choice awards are always one of the more exciting parts of the show and the visitors really enjoy getting to vote for their favorites, " Muller said. The 3-D Sound Company will provide music throughout the weekend and "Magic Mark the Balloon Guy" will be there to entertain the kids. The popular model car contest will again be held and, according to Muller, that has turned out to be one of the real highlights of the show. "We like to think that we have something for every car enthusiast out there no matter how old or young they are," he said.

The show, which will be held at the Monticello Berndes Center (the Youth Center Building) in Monticello, Iowa, is open to the public and will run from noon to midnight on Saturday, February 25th and from 8 A.M. until 8 P.M. on Sunday, February 26th. Trophies, cash awards and other special presentations will be made on Sunday at 7:30 P.M. Admission is $8 for adults and children twelve and under, when accompanied by an adult, will be admitted free which makes it a great show for the entire family. There is free parking available at the center. For more information you may call Galen Muller at 319-465-5119.