ITD maintenance foreman takes hot wheels on 'power tour'

Mountain Home Maintenance Foreman Dave Labar has a deep love for the classics, especially cars. He owns three - a 1951 Ford sedan, 1964 Ford Galaxy 500 convertible, and a 1970 AMC Javelin SST. Even the car he drives daily would be considered classic, a 1971 MGB/GT.

Dave picked up the 1970 Javelin 38 years ago. The Galaxies and sedan followed. The “Love Affair” had begun.

His brother Jim caught the bug too. Dave just returned from the Hot Rod Power Tour where he and Jim drove his brother’s 1965 Mustang Convertible from Pennsylvania to Newton, Iowa. From June 5-12, they went to a car show and cruise in a different city each night, ending in Mobile, Ala. They added more than 3,500 miles to the vehicle’s odometer and became part of a tour that included more than 4,000 cars.

“It has been something I wanted to do for a few years – one of those once-in-a-lifetime things. I own a few old cars and have been attending and participating in car shows my whole life,” Labar said.

Dave returned to work June 21.

“The Power Tour was great to say the least,” said Labar.

Photo: Jim and Dave prepare to leave Springfield, Ill. in the ’65 Mustang.  

Published 7-9-2010