Classic Cars, Tech Center News, March 19, 2001

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TOP HAT JOHN-CLASSIC CARS COLUMN- Tech Center News, March 19, 2001

LARRY PRICE-CARS 4 KIDS, SOUTHERN STYLE INC. If you gotta’ leave this world, and so far I am unaware of any earthly or scientific sure way of not doing so, Larry Price surely must have the formula to at least ensure longevity of his lifes legacy, on this third planet closest to the sun-after he departs. Where he goes after the ‘depart’ is … certainly up to the ‘gods’ or God if you so desire.

Some 14 years ago, 1987, Larry Price made a promise. "I made a deal with God" says Larry, "that if my son Chad would be all right, I would do something for kids". You see, Chad was injured in a bicycle accident when he was 12 years old and doctors gave him very little chance of survival. Chad fortunately made a full recovery and Larry Price started ‘CARS 4 KIDS, SOUTHERN STYLE INC.’ To date Larry Price and the ‘group’ have raised and donated to various kids charity a sum that is fast approaching $1,000,000.00. And they do not take a fee for doing what they do … all proceeds go directly to kids charities.

I first met Larry Price a few years back and learned of ‘CARS 4 KIDS’ while ‘tripping’ the country as emcee for the HOT ROD MAGAZINE POWER FESTIVALS. We were ‘doing’ the show in Georgia and lunch was courtesy of this ‘CARS 4 KIDS’ group. Lunch turned out to be the best darned ‘pulled pork’ barbecue sandwich on a bun, that I have ever had-and they even make their own secret recipe barbecue sauce.

Going over to where they were set up, I see this motorized wheelchair powered by a ‘blown’ 427 Chevy. Way too cool! Along side is a 1966 black 427 Caprice. Reading the placard I find out that Larry has owned this Caprice since new and was the only car that legendary McNairy County, Tennessee Sheriff Buford Pusser could not outrun. Remember the movie ‘Walking Tall’-that’s the Chevrolet Caprice. Over lunch Larry Price, cohorts and I ... become friends.

Later that day the HOT ROD ‘bosses’ allowed the auction off of all the banners and marketing paraphernalia and give the proceeds to ‘CARS 4 KIDS’. I don’t remember the exact amount, but I know it was a few thousand dollars. What I do remember though, was how good we all felt and that some of us-including Larry Price-had a hard time talking

Each year ‘CARS 4 KIDS’ travels the south on selected weekends as guests at car shows and races, with an entourage of race cars and the aforementioned ‘movable feast’ featuring possibly the worlds best pork sandwich. The main venue though is the annual ‘Fathers Day’ three day weekend car show held in Selmer, Tennessee where Larry Price ‘stays’.

In 1990 Larry Price organized that first McNairy County ‘CARS 4 KIDS, SOUTHERN STYLE’ car show and raised $24,000.00. The rest is history with almost $1,000,000.00 since that first car show going to kid’s charities like St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Muscular Dystrophy Association, LaBonheur Hospital, Easter Seals, Star Center, orphanages and other childrens charities. ‘CARS 4 KIDS’ has been written up in magazines, featured on TNN, ESPN2 and received numerous awards for their involvement and life giving kids charities. All with no ‘strings’ attached.

Unfortunately, Larry lost his wife a few years back when she was killed instantly in a car accident on her way to one of the ‘CARS 4 KIDS’ events. Larry Price made a promise though, and somehow he finds a way to just keep on going and doing what he does so well. Stuph and stories like this always continues to amaze me. Its a beautiful life … even with the thorns.

Larry Price and ‘CARS 4 KIDS-SOUTHERN STYLE INC., can be contacted at: 245 Shanna Drive in Selmer, Tennessee 38375. Phone 901-645-6676.

Corrections DEPT: Last weeks column would lead the reader to assume that the B1 bomber and Concorde are the same-that was a misprint. Also that the ‘Phantom’ now owned by Price could not outrun Sheriff Buford Pusser-that of course was also a misprint … as this 427 Chevy, could and did the outrun ‘deed’.