Meet the Winners: 2026 Downtown Arlington Classic Car Show

For four years now, the Downtown Arlington Classic Car Show has brought timeless classics and groovy rides to the streets of downtown once a year. The show is mostly about community and enjoying the classics, but we can’t overlook the awards.

At this year’s show on Saturday, Sept. 26, experienced judges reviewed every entry and crowned various winners from the Top Ten to Mayor’s Choice. Attendees even got a say with the annual People’s Choice award.

Here are the stories and people behind some of the 2026 show’s top cars.

Mayor’s Choice - Gralon Nickleberry, 1969 Chevy Camaro SS

Lined up in the same lot as the Farmer’s Market, which was happening in tandem, this blue Camaro caught the eye of Arlington Mayor Jim Ross. While it came as a “total surprise” to him, Nickleberry left the show with the Mayor’s Choice award.

Nickleberry has had the classic for over 45 years. It was actually the very first car he bought with his own money.

“I’ve kept it all these years, and I’m glad I did.”

As for the show itself, he has attended the Downtown Arlington Classic Car Show for two years now and says this is the best load-in procedure and set up he’s seen.

People’s Choice - Richard and Jonathan Wray, 1957 Ford Thunderbird and 1965 Ford Mustang

This father-son duo was obviously a crowd favorite as they took home the iconic People’s Choice award.

The pair donned matching black shirts with a teal Thunderbirds logo and had the backdrop of the Arlington Music Hall. How could they not be showstoppers?

“Since I was a little kid, with model cars, I always loved 1957 Thunderbirds,” Richard said.

Jonathan found one on Facebook Marketplace and worked with his mom to get the classic car for his dad. After six months working to restore the vehicle, Jonathan delivered it to Richard on Christmas weekend with a red bow.

1st Place - Loren White, 1972 Dodge Charger Rallye 340

This bright red Charger was on full display between the Arlington Music Hall and the car show’s main stage.

White has owned the vehicle since 1980, and he’s not afraid to keep its wheels spinning.

“If the sun is shining, I’m out in it,” he said.

From the comradery to the connections, White said the Downtown Arlington show has been a good time the four years he’s attended. He even won Mayor’s Choice last year.

“This car show is unlike any other,” White said.

2nd Place - Elmer Doty, 1935 Auburn Boattail Speedster

“It’s a relatively rare car. They only ever built maybe 130,” Doty said.

His Speedster is actually 1 of only 7 right hand-drive models built for the UK. It was sold to an owner in London in 1935 and brought to the U.S. by an American serviceman after World War II.

After making its way through various collections, Elmer has been working on the car for two years to get it into show condition.

“It’s actually the car I wanted as a little boy. So, it’s a fulfillment of a dream and it’s just fun to share it with the people I care about.”

Though he’s a Dallas resident, Doty has an affinity for Arlington. He's only taken the car to three shows and was excited to bring it to Downtown Arlington.

3rd Place -Joshua Oderberg, 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

The embodiment of a vintage muscle car caught the eye of attendees (and obviously judges) walking down Front Street. This baby blue Chevelle claimed third place.

Oderberg spent five years restoring the Chevelle. He said he enjoyed his time at the show.

“Experience out here today at the car show was fantastic, really well-run and organized,” Oderberg said.

Another popular stop for attendees at the show was the 1976 JAWS Van. Chris Klaus, a longtime Jaws fan and collector, got the van in 2018 and began restoring it.

Klaus got in contact with the original painter of the van. Though he was now in his 80s, the painter was excited to take on the project of helping restore the vehicle.

“He did exactly what we were looking for. He added some special things to it,” Klaus said.

Klaus actually had to stop the painter from continuing work on it as there was more he wanted to do. But after six and a half years of restoration, Klaus felt it was ready for show. Now, they’ve taken the van to three shows this year.

“We don’t normally win anything, but it’s just cool to see the smile on everyone’s faces and all the kids love the shark theme,” Klaus said.

Though he hasn’t attended the Downtown Arlington show before, Klaus said this year’s was well organized and coordinating the Front Street Festival and Farmer’s Market with the event was a great feature.

“Downtown has been revitalized and has come a long way. We’ve been here for 30 years, and it wasn’t anything like this when we first moved down here,” he said.

Couldn’t make it out to this year’s show? We hope you’ll join us for the 2027 Classic Car Show as a car owner or as an attendee.