Damion Jordan’s 1968 Chevrolet Impala that his cousin, Nathan “Young N8” Loveless, a City Limit Car Club Member, used to own before he passed away in 2010 at the young age of 26. Courtesy photo
By Deborah M. Walker
The annual Capital City Call Out auto show was a success. Even with dreary weather and gray skies, event goers still needed shades to shield them from the glare of custom paint jobs and chrome wheels.
Hot-rods, street racers, low riders, trucks, and more were showcased at the Capital City Call Out auto show hosted by Damion Jordan, owner of Dai Productions, and also a member of the City Limits Car Club, on Saturday, September 15, 2013 at the Summit Sports and Ice Complex in Dimondale. Souped up motors roared and hydraulic systems bounced, as the lot filled with cars, trucks, low riders, motorcycles, and more showed off their rims, custom paint jobs, tinted windows and more.
Jordan says that this year’s car show wasn’t what he expected. Over 200 hundred vehicles were expected to participate in the show however due to the rain only a percentage made an appearance. But rain and dreary weather couldn’t stop car lovers who did come out. Laughter and smiling faces were all about as car fanatics showed off their best work.
“It’s cool to see people can have fun in the rain especially the car enthusiasts and the people that support you and what you do,” said Jordan.
April Ludtke operator of the registration booth, said that enthusiasm was high and the people who showed up for the car show were excited and dedicated to what they did.
“Everybody that’s here is in the mood to be here,” Ludtke said. “The energy is high and the people are ready to have some fun and show off those beautiful cars.”
Normally Jordan hosts the car show with other members of the City Limit Car Club but this year he was independent and had a sponsor. He started doing small car shows in 2001, at the Point After in Lansing (which is now closed) and was able to grow and expand from there.
Left: Tom Detzler on his new lowrider bike. Bottom: From right to left: April Ludtke operator of the registration booth; LoQuisha Beasley, owner Quintessential Hosting and Damion Jordan, owner of Dai Productions.
Photos by Bryant Easter
Jordan says that the car show was more than a chance for car lovers to show their work, it was a way to honor one of their own. Nathan “Young N8” Loveless, a City Limit Car Club member and cousin of Jordan, passed away in 2010 at the young age of 26. Loveless owned a 1968 Chevy Impala which he built from the ground up. Jordan was able to purchase the car from Loveless’s step-father. Jordan brought the car to the car show and says he plans to not make any alterations and keep the car in the same condition. Jordan and other members of the car club wore t-shirts with the picture of Loveless to honor his memory.
Everyone was a winner this year at the car show as trophies were given out to all participants in the show. This year Capital City Call
Out awarded trophies to the top 100 cars and since just a percentage of the expected registered , all vehicles received a prize. Even though every vehicle in the show received a trophy, vehicles were still judged with a specific point system used by national car show scenes. Even so, participants still did their best to make sure their vehicle stood out amongst the crowd.
Tim Crabtree Jr. who attended the car show with his father said that it was watching the looks on people faces when they saw the customized cars that left him satisfied. For Crabtree the auto show wasn’t about winning a prize it was about having a good time and being rewarded by the enjoyment of others.
“Everything on a “hopper” is built from scratch.” said Tim Crabtree, a participant in the auto show. “There are no fabrication parts, you can’t just go somewhere and buy them, you actually have to make them; cutting steel, welding it together… we do all that ourselves.”
Crabtree owns a “hopper” which is a hydraulic vehicle that bounces up and down when a switch is flipped. He’s a member of the West Side Low-riders out of Hamilton, Ohio. Crabtree brought his 16-year old son with him to the event and although he had a five hour commute he was excited to show off his car.
Peabo Smith, who has been judging the car show for the past three years says that it is the unique details, customizing and building that he looks for in a car when judging.
“Some people put different interiors in their cars; crocodile, alligator, suede, real genuine leather. Some put television screens in, big speakers, speakers in the headrest, souped up motors and super chargers, so there are plenty of different things that people do to their car to make them stand out and be different from other people’s car,” said Smith.
Smith has been working on cars since he was 8-years old. He has been a member of the car club for the past 10 years and uses his expertise to determine the quality and condition of vehicles. Smith says that a car must be “clean,” no rust on the body and no parts should be falling off or missing.
It is no wonder that Smith sets such high standards when judging the intricate details of vehicles. Those who dedicate themselves to customizing cars spend countless hours transforming these simple machines into works of art. Even the youngest participants at the event voting for their favorite car in the “Kid’s Choice Award.”
Jordan plans to host the car show next year at the same location although he says that next year he may move it to August.
This was printed in the October 6, 2013 – October 19, 2013 Edition
This story has been edited on October 14, 2013 “Nathan “Young N8″ Loveless” has been corrected.
