POWERGRAMS

37 to a movie outdoors hangs from the tray, which is loaded with replicas of hot dogs, hamburgers, a bottle of Coke and other refreshments. Henderson said the restored car is worth far more than the $500 he paid for it 54 years ago. He has it insured for $40,000, but in his eyes, it's priceless. Since its return home, Henderson has taken part in about 15 car shows a year in Birmingham and the surrounding area, proudly sharing his "baby" with other old car enthusiasts. Last October, he entered the car in its first competition. "My buddies in Fayetteville kept begging me to bring it to a car show up there, but I didn't want to drive it that far and risk anything happening to it," Henderson said. "Then, last fall, I had to have a new carburetor on it, so Johnny hauled it up to Fayetteville for me. After it was repaired, Johnny said he wouldn't let me have it back until I agreed to enter that show." It was a good decision. Out of 75 entrants, Henderson's Ford Victoria took top honors as "Best of Show." Henderson keeps the car covered in his garage, only taking it out for shows or an occasional afternoon drive on back roads when "there is not a cloud in the sky." "After I show it, I bring it straight home, wash it and cover it up again," Henderson said. "It has never had a drop of rain on it since I got it restored five years ago." Henderson said his car's unique look always draws a crowd at shows and on the street. People often want their photo made with it. In one instance, a woman named Victoria asked to pose for a photo beside the driver's side door, which bears the name of the car in chrome, Henderson recalled. "When you tell people that it's your first car, they can hardly believe it," Henderson said. "I really enjoy the fellowship with the car owners and other people at the shows. For people to acknowledge that my car is beautiful means more to me than winning any trophy." by Carla Davis

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