MILESBURG — An April 28 cruise-in sponsored by the Mid-State Mopars and More car club featured 32 vintage vehicles, all in honor of Miles DeHass, a local veteran and classic car owner. The event, held on the American Legion grounds in Milesburg, was a fundraiser for DeHass, who suffers from COPD and currently is in hospice care.
DeHass’ pristine 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible was quite the draw at area car shows. The orange and white ragtop was a perennial attention-getter, garnering admiration from spectators and show entrants alike. DeHass has owned the car for many years, and spent a considerable amount of time restoring it to its original condition.
A U.S. Army veteran, DeHass served in Germany during the Vietnam War. He later worked as an independent truck driver. The cruise-in will help DeHass and his family with medical expenses.
Several 1960s vintage muscle cars were present at the event. These included a Plymouth Road Runner, a Pontiac GTO, a Dodge Coronet Super Bee and a Chevy Chevelle, among others. Modern-day muscle was represented by a 2008 Shelby Mustang, a 2012 Mustang and a 2008 Corvette.
Two hot rods caught attendees’ eyes — Gary Stover’s 1928 Ford Model A roadster, and Ken Kelley’s lime green 1935 Ford two-door sedan.
A 1972 Chevy Chevelle hardtop was also an eye-catcher at the cruise-in. Ray Dunlap brought the car from Lock Haven to the show. It features a 350 V8 engine coupled to a Turbo 400 automatic transmission. Dunlap bought the car several years ago, and soon discovered a cracked frame and other flaws, prompting him to do extensive restoration work. The car is a silver-gray color and features Chevelle’s signature black hood stripes.
The cruise-in also featured food and drinks, a silent auction of donated items, a 50-50 drawing, door prizes and music by DJ Little Man.
Friends of DeHass had good things to say about him and his ’55 Chevy.
“He drives kids to proms and other events,” said one. “They offer to pay him, but he just loves to drive that car.”
