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Car show is 'oval rated'

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By GREG S. CARR

gscarr@tampatrib.com

Published: October 14, 2009

TAMPA - Joe Chuney of Tampa owns a Volkswagen. But it's not just any old VW, it's a 1957 oval window sedan.

Chuney, a pharmacy technician at James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, is organizer of the inaugural "Oval Rated" car show, held Oct. 4 at Rick's on the River, overlooking the Hillsborough River.

Chuney said there are already a number of general car shows in Florida dedicated to the VW, such as the Pasco Bug Jam held each November in Dade City, so he wanted to specialize in a specific model. "I have a vintage VW, and I was aware that nobody had done a show specifically for the oval window, and I wanted something specific."

Oval Rated was created to showcase the 1953-1957 Beetle, which features a small, oval rear window. These were the cars that established the German automaker's reputation in the United States, from a tiny trickle of VWs in the early '50s to a torrent by the end of the decade. By the late '60s, the Beetle had become an automotive icon.

In addition to oval windows, the show welcomed all types of VWs and featured a swap meet, new parts vendors, and food and music courtesy of Rick's on the River. Chuney said there were 14 ovals at the show, and about 100 VWs in total.

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