New Orleans, Louisiana
Article by Larry Crain
Photos by Barbara Crain
Take New Orleans, AKA, “The Big Easy”, The Mercedez-Benz Superdome, and over 225 of the most awesome cars, trucks and motorcycles, mix them all together and you have the 2017 Wild Wheels Car Show. This all-new event was put together by Lionel and Paul Dowling, the father and son team that make up Dowling Productions. Neither one of then, along with Show Chairman Kal Smith, are newbies to the car scene as they live and breathe hot rods. So, who better to put on a car show in what is one of the greatest places to host an event.
This show was held the third week of March 2017, and there was no problem in covering the floor of the Mercedez-Benz Superdome with hot rods, classics, customs, trucks, motorcycles and just about anything else you could think of. From rolling works of four wheel art to Saturday night cruisers, they were all on display for three days of indoor fun.
A big draw for participants in the show were the really cool awards, and, oh yeah, cash prizes! For the public the draw was to see all of the show vehicles along with special vehicles like the "Baja Bandeeto" custom show rod! This cool vehicle built by Fritz Schenck's is VW powered and was inspired by a drawing from "Jimmy Smith". The public was also able to meet Butch Patrick who played “Eddie Munster” on the TV show The Munsters. Butch brought the famous Munster coach and “Dragula” along with him.
A big thanks goes out to Lionel Dowling, Paul Dowling and Kal Smith for putting this event together and thanks to the awesome staff of the Mercedez-Benz Superdome for being such great people during and after show hours.