HARLINGEN — The car parked on Jackson Street appeared unassuming at first.
It sat among vintage vehicles that drew quick admiration from car enthusiasts attending the 11th Annual Jackson Street Car Show yesterday.
However, owner Erik Reta, 36, had plenty to say about the 1987 IROC Z28.
“I have built a new motor, a .388 Stroker motor,” he said of the vehicle wearing a coat of dark umber.
“It had a fuel injection engine, now it’s carbureted,” he said. “It has a lot more horsepower.”
The car show presented by the Antique Auto Club of America RGV Chapter attracted about 200 cars, said Cosima Mendoza, who was taking registrations.
“It’s going really good,” she said. “Last year we had over 200 cars. We still have another 30 minutes.”
Car aficionados took their time admiring every kind of vehicle imaginable from a souped-up Hummer with flames spewing across the sides to classic Fords in vibrant shades of green and sky blue. A band played “Brown Eyed Girl,” “Amarillo by Morning” and other classic favorites.
While many visitors admired the work new owners had performed on old autos, others appreciated seeing them in their mint condition.
“I like the original flathead motor,” said Art Cariaga, 47, smiling at the coffee red 1951 Ford sedan.
“The older cars are easier to work on,” he said. “They’re solid steel, no plastic or fiberglass.”
One car was a prize possession of Joe Becerra Jr., 38.
“It’s all original,” he said. “I gave it a new paint job, new interior.”
He grew up around cars, his father having been a collector himself. And this particular car had value because his father’s first automobile was the exact same year, make and model.
“Now that he’s retired, I’m collecting cars,” he said.
Jesse De La Rosa was wiping down his ‘71 Dodge Challenger, another little gem of ingenuity.
“It’s got a Meanstreet EFI 800 horsepower fuel injection engine,” said De La Rosa, 58. “It was a two-barreled 290 horsepower. Everything else is original.”
