Seifert takes top prize at B-A Days Car Show
As Marty Seifert wiped down his vehicle amid intermittent light rain during the Ghent Cruisers Car Show on Saturday, a large group of onlookers began asking him questions.
A few minutes later, much to his surprise, his name was called as "Best in Show" at the annual car show that draws owners from several states.
The Ghent Cruisers Car Show had another nice turnout with 58 cars, trucks, tractors and motorcycles despite early rain and travelers dealing with the Highway 68 detour.
Seifert, a former member of the House of Representatives representing District 21A who also ran for governor in 2010 and 2014, purchased the bright red 1980 Shay, a reproduction of a 1929 Model A Roadster this past May from a seller in Green Bay, WI.
"I saw it on Market Place on Facebook and the color caught my eye," Seifert said about the car. "My dad's favorite car was a Model A Roadster and he was born in 1929, so I decided to buy this one."
Seifert's father, Norbert, passed away in 2001.
Seifert, who lives in Marshall, had never attended the Ghent Car Show that is part of the annual three-day Belgian-American Days festivities. He briefly owned a classic 1964 Cadilac, but sold it a few years ago.
Seifert's Shay Model A Roadster has a fiberglass body, steel hood, custom chassis and a 2.3L 4-cylinder Pinto engine. It travels at a top speed of 60 miles per hour.
"I just decided to come over here with my car," he said. "I wanted to look at all the other cars anyway. I really wasn't expecting anything."
Shay Motors in Detroit made 5,000 of the Model A Roadster reproduction from 1979-82.
Seifert's name was first announced by emcee Mylan Ray as one of the recipients of the "Sweet Sixteen" awards. As all the car owners stood along McQuestion Street awaiting the winner of the "Best in Show", Seifert stood by his car a few yards away.
"And the winner of 'Best in Show' is Marty Seifert," Ray announced.
Seifert pulled his ballcap down on his head as he accepted the main award of the day.
"It's really nice to win," he said. "But like I said, I really wasn't expecting anything."
His father would be proud.
GHENT CRUISERS
2022 CAR SHOW WINNERS
Trivia Contest - Cathy Debates, Walnut Grove, MN 1989 Chevy Heartland conversion
Motorcycle Award - Nate Kesteloot Minneota, 2021 59 Design Stinger
Rat Rod Award - Tim Hoffman Canby, MN 1930 Ford Model A
Rat Rod Award - Lee Kilpatrick Taunton, 1942 Ford
Rat Rod Award - Wally Lipinski Canby, 1947 White Wrecker
Truck Award - Steve Fresk Windom, 1965 Ford Factory Crew Cab
Truck Award - Daris Nelson Marshall, 1934 Ford Pickup
Truck Award - Wally Lipinski Canby 1951 Willys Station Wagon
Truck Award - Keith Rossow Slayton 1970 Chevy C-10
Late Model Award - Shannon Davis Ghent, 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8
Late Model Award - Joe & Carol Nelson Marshall, 2002 Pontiac Trans-Am
Late Model Award - Joe Gawarecki Brandon, SD, 2006 Ford Mustang GT
Late Model Award - DuWayne & Karen Galow Granite Falls, 2003 Chevy Corvette
Host Car Award - Mike Vlaminck Ghent, 1969 Plymouth Road Runner
Sweet Sixteen - Milt Voss Ruthton, 1957 Chevy 150 Business Coupe
Sweet Sixteen - Steve & Pam VanOverbeke Russell, 1964 Chevy Chevelle Malibu SS
Sweet Sixteen - Keith Gould Clear Lake, SD, 1956 Chevy Belair
Sweet Sixteen - Tom & Alice VanOverbeke Marshall, 1972 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus
Sweet Sixteen - Jeff Flood Porter, 1967 Plymouth Satellite
Sweet Sixteen - Dan Kelly Clear Lake, SD, 1939 Chevy Master Deluxe
Sweet Sixteen - Robert Christopherson Windom, 1984 Chevy El Camino
Sweet Sixteen - Marty Seifert Marshall, 1929 Model A Reproduction
Sweet Sixteen - Darrell & Kitty Mercie Marshall, 1955 Chevy Delray 210
Sweet Sixteen - Cary Quigley Tracy, 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1
Sweet Sixteen - Royal Hettling Minneota, 1970 Ford Torino GT
Sweet Sixteen - Steven Kruiter Clear Lake, SD, 1950 Ford Deluxe Tudor
Sweet Sixteen - Gary Becker Marshall, 1956 Chevy Bel Air
Sweet Sixteen - Fred Stumm Ghent, 1948 Ford 2 Door Sedan
Sweet Sixteen - Mike Sayre Ghent, 1972 Dodge Dart
Sweet Sixteen - David Thooft Lynd, 1974 Chevy Laguna
Best Plymouth - Tom & Alice VanOverbeke Marshall, 1972 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus
Mayor’s Choice - Tom & Alice VanOverbeke Marshall, 1963 Chevy Impala
People’s Choice - Dan Kelly Clear Lake, SD 1939 Chevy Master Deluxe
Best of Show - Marty Seifert Marshall, 1929 Model A Reproduction