Hot cars converge on Heinz Field for Steel City Nationals

Michael Tarquinio, business development specialist for the MaxMotive classic, muscle and custom car dealership in Cheswick, says the inaugural Steel City Nationals will be “the largest celebration of the automobile that this city has ever seen.”

MaxMotive is sponsoring the gathering of hundreds of hot rods, classics, customs, exotics and trucks Aug. 24 and 25 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. The event also will feature a swap meet, cars-for-sale corral, vendor midway, celebrity appearances, live music, road art, auto memorabilia and a kids’ zone.

Steel City Nationals is a “must-do” for auto enthusiasts because “it has been organized with the footprint of a national show format rather than a local car cruise. It’s a family event with something to offer everyone,” Tarquinio says.

’36 classic Woody restoration

Mark Gissendaner, owner of GIS Automotive, a dealership, collision repair center and hot rod shop in Shaler, will be among the local car enthusiasts bringing vehicles to the show.

He will debut a totally restored 1936 Ford Woody station wagon that he rebuilt “from the ground up” for a customer. The restoration of the classic car, painted in a custom bright red shade selected by the owner, took more than two years to complete.

He recently returned from the 50th National Street Rod Association Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Ky., where the classic was selected as one of 40 top cars in the Builders Showcase.

Gissendaner, who started his business in 1981 when he was 21, says hot rods are his passion.“The people you get to meet” are the best part of the custom car business, he says.

John Lyman specializes in classic 1961-1969 Lincoln Continentals at his business, Stinkin Lincoln Parts in Cranberry. He will be bringing at least a dozen early- to mid-1960s Lincolns to the show, says Tarquinio.

“He’s a really cool young guy that made a business from his car passion,” he says.

Guest appearances

Celebrities appearing at Steel City Nationals will include Dave Kindig and Kevin Schiele of Kindig It Design custom shop and “Bitchin Rides” on Velocity TV network. They will conduct autograph sessions on Saturday. Courtney Hansen and Linda Vaughn will meet fans and sign autographs on Sunday.

Hansen, with homes in Naples, Fla., Los Angeles and New York City, is working in Atlanta as executive producer and co-host of “The Ride That Got Away,” a History Channel show starting its second season. She and car designer Troy Ladd work with families to repair, restore and reimagine favorite cars for former owners and surprise them with the finished creations.

“Everybody has a car that they feel a special connection with,” she says. “If you really love cars, that connection runs even deeper. Having to say goodbye to a car, be it our first or our favorite, is a big deal. That’s why we are reuniting the most-deserving people with their beloved ride that got away.”

The most rewarding part of the show for Hansen has been seeing family relationships and how much of a connection there is not only to a car but between family members.

“Being able to help facilitate that is very meaningful to me. We need more feel-good, touching stories in these times,” she says.

Interest driven by race car driver father

Hansen got her start on automotive TV as the co-host of TLC’s car-makeover show “Overhaulin’.” She also is the author of “The Garage Girl’s Guide to Everything You Need to Know About Your Car.” Her interest in cars was driven by her father, Gerald John Hansen, winner of 27 national championships in Sports Car Club of America racing.

Vaughn, from Dalton, Ga., is an ambassador and American motor racing personality. Her past titles include The First Lady of Motorsports, Miss Hurst Golden Shifter and Miss Queen of Speed at Atlanta International Raceway.

Music performances will feature The Jaggerz from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 24 and Moscow Mule from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 25.

MaxMotive will host a “Summer of ’69 Camaro Showcase,” a designated area for Camaros during the marquee’s 50th anniversary year, and Builders Choice Parking, a special area for the Top 20 vehicles selected on Saturday.