YORK, Pa. — For 50 years, the annual Street Rod Nationals East has brought thousands of car lovers to York.
For Delaware native John Tebbutt, it's the one big show he looks forward to every year.
"If these hot rods are in your blood, you can't get it out," said Tebbutt.
Tebbutt has traveled for all 50 of the Street Rod Nationals East shows. For 49 of those years, he has been accompanied to the York Fairgrounds by one special car, a 1936 Ford Sedan Delivery.
Tebbutt said he bought the car from a mushroom farm for $125 with the goal to use it as a towing car when he went drag racing. The car sat idle in his garage for two years before a friend invited him to his first street rod show.
"A buddy of mine was going to Detroit for the nationals in 1972. He was driving his 1934 Ford, so why don’t I ride along with him," recalled Tebbutt. "That was the end of drag racing and that was the end of the tow car.”
Since coming to York's first show in 1974, the '36 Ford became a regular staple at the York Fairgrounds. His friend, James Kissling, said it's one of his favorite cars to look out for.
"It's just unbelievable and I know he's still kicking and coming back every year," said Kissling. "It is definitely a treat."
Kissling, who also owns a 1936 Ford Sedan Delivery, said the two of them bonded over their shared experiences with the car. He said it's remarkable to see the same car come back to York each year.
“When you see a guy like him coming that often, it’s just out of this world," said Kissling.
Over the years, Tebbutt said the Street Rod Nationals East went from a gathering of car enthusiasts to a quasi-family reunion. He added that everyone at the York Fairgrounds shares similar DNA when it comes to their street rods.
“It was about the cars in the beginning, but now it’s about the comradery and the people you’ve met over the years. You get to see a lot of them once a year," said Tebbett.
He hopes he can continue to bring his car to York for years to come.
“If it’s the first weekend of June, it’s going to York," said Tebbett. "I call it Old Yeller and Old Yeller is going to York. That’s it.”