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Ask Rick: Father’s Day Car Shows, Collector Car Reality Checks, and Six Summer Auction Temptations
June means Father’s Day, backyard cookouts, and finding any excuse possible to spend a little extra time behind the wheel. On this month’s Ask Rick episode, I sat down with National Parts Depot CEO Rick Schmidt for one of those conversations that started in one place and ended somewhere completely different.
What began as a simple question about putting on a Father’s Day car show at my church turned into a master class on event planning, collector cars, reproduction bodies, and ultimately six auction vehicles that revealed a lot about how Rick evaluates the hobby today.
What Makes a Great Car Show?
When I mentioned the possibility of organizing a Father’s Day car show, Rick immediately drew from more than two decades of experience running NPD’s famous Ford and GM shows at Silver Springs, Florida.
At their peak, those events attracted over a thousand vehicles and thousands of spectators. Yet Rick insisted the cars themselves weren’t what made the events successful.
The secret was creating something the entire family could enjoy.
Silver Springs offered glass-bottom boats, restaurants, shopping, live entertainment, attractions, and enough activities that spouses and kids weren’t staring at their watches after an hour. Rick believes that’s where many modern car shows miss the mark. The best events aren’t simply rows of parked vehicles. They’re destinations.
He also shared some strong opinions on things he feels most car shows don’t need. Endless door-prize announcements? Gone. Participation trophies? Gone. Dash plaques? Definitely gone.
Instead, NPD focused on meaningful awards and memorable experiences. One of his favorite examples was when TMI Products would walk through the field and award a complete interior package to the car that genuinely needed it the most. That’s the kind of recognition people remember long after the event is over.
Reproduction Bodies Have Come a Long Way
The conversation shifted toward complete replacement bodies and reproduction shells after discussing companies entering that market.
NPD currently offers first-generation Camaro and Firebird bodies, but Rick admitted he was initially reluctant to get involved. Early reproduction bodies often suffered from poor fit, questionable assembly quality, and enough issues that he wasn’t comfortable putting NPD’s reputation behind them.
Over time, however, quality has improved dramatically.
While Rick remains critical of projects that use reproduction bodies to disguise questionable VIN transfers, he sees a legitimate place for replacement shells in the restomod market. The hobby continues to evolve, and reproduction bodies allow enthusiasts to save projects that otherwise would never return to the road.
His biggest takeaway? Quality control, supplier relationships, and proper licensing matter far more than simply stamping out sheet metal.
Summer Cruiser Challenge: Under $50,000
For our first auction challenge, I gave Rick three patriotic-themed choices and a simple assignment: buy one, enjoy it all summer, and sell it later without losing your shirt.
1968 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1968-chevrolet-el-camino-45/
The El Camino brought big-block power and undeniable muscle-car personality, but Rick approached it with caution.
He loves the body style, but questioned whether the claimed SS 396 credentials matched the car’s presentation. Genuine factory big-block El Caminos have become valuable enough that many owners restore them to a much higher standard. His advice was simple: verify documentation before paying premium money.
1969 Mercury Cougar Convertible M-Code
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1969-mercury-cougar-37/
This was Rick’s favorite of the three.
The M-Code 351 Windsor, hidden headlights, upscale styling, and gorgeous white presentation checked all the right boxes. Rick described the ’69 Cougar as one of the hobby’s most attractive and underrated pony cars. It offered Mustang DNA with a more sophisticated personality and looked ready to enjoy immediately.
1962 Chrysler 300 Hardtop
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1962-chrysler-300-non-letter-series-3/
The surprise winner.
Rick couldn’t stop talking about the dramatic styling, futuristic dashboard, and white-over-red color combination. While everyone else is chasing Camaros, Mustangs, and Chevelles, this Chrysler delivers genuine presence without requiring six-figure money.
His verdict was simple: buy it right, enjoy it all summer, and there’s a good chance you’ll get every dollar back out of it.
Unlimited Budget: Things Got Interesting
For round two, I removed the $50,000 cap entirely and gave Rick three very different collector cars.
What followed revealed a lot about where his collecting interests are today.
2020 Shelby GT350R Heritage Edition
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2020-ford-mustang-shelby-gt350r-97/
This might have been the biggest surprise of the episode.
While many collectors would immediately gravitate toward a 458-mile GT350R Heritage Edition, Rick wasn’t interested.
Not because he dislikes the car. Quite the opposite.
His concern is long-term collectability in a world increasingly dependent on electronics, sensors, software, and technology that may become difficult to support decades from now. Modern collectible performance cars are everywhere, and Rick feels his garage space is better reserved for something harder to replace.
1950 Oldsmobile 88 Convertible
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1950-oldsmobile-futuramic-series-88-8/
Now we’re talking.
Rick absolutely loved this car.
The older restoration, AACA credentials, beautifully detailed engine compartment, and timeless styling made this one stand out immediately. He pointed out something many buyers overlook: a high-quality restoration that has already survived thirty years often tells you far more than a fresh restoration completed last month.
If the seller’s reserve was anywhere near reasonable, Rick felt this Oldsmobile represented tremendous value.
1969 Dodge Charger R/T
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1969-dodge-charger-84/
Normally this would be the easy winner.
It’s a real R/T. It’s a Charger. It’s one of the most desirable muscle cars ever built.
Yet one detail completely derailed Rick’s enthusiasm.
The repaint.
Originally a Bright Blue car, it had been refinished in a non-original electric blue that simply didn’t work for him. While he acknowledged it was still a desirable car, he knew exactly what would happen if he bought it. The first thing he’d want to do would be repaint it back to its factory color, and that’s where the financial equation fell apart.
For Rick, the Charger wasn’t a summer cruiser. It was the beginning of another restoration project.
The Final Verdict
At the end of the day, Rick’s two winners were clear.
Under $50,000, he would take the 1962 Chrysler 300 all day long. It offered style, uniqueness, and financial safety.
With the budget removed, the 1950 Oldsmobile 88 Convertible stole the show. It represented the type of well-restored, difficult-to-replace collector car that continues to appeal to enthusiasts who value craftsmanship and history over horsepower statistics and modern technology.
And honestly, that’s what made this month’s conversation so interesting.
The cars were fun. The auction picks were entertaining. But the real takeaway was hearing how someone who has spent a lifetime in the collector-car business evaluates value, rarity, and long-term desirability in today’s market.
Dallas Kibbe Racing: New Partners, New Gear, and Full Speed Ahead for 2026
The 2026 racing season continues to gain momentum for Dallas Kibbe Racing, and this month we take a moment to recognize some incredible partners helping make it all possible. Racing is never a one-person effort, and having quality equipment and trusted supporters behind the scenes can make all the difference when the green flag drops.
This season Dallas is proudly outfitted with safety equipment from Simpson and Stilo, two of the most respected names in motorsports. From helmets and communication systems to race-ready safety gear, these companies provide the protection and confidence needed to focus on what matters most—driving hard and competing for wins. When you’re strapped into a race car at speed, quality gear isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
We’re also grateful for the continued support of Lexani Tires and SimpleTire. Their partnership helps keep Dallas rolling both on and off the track while connecting enthusiasts with tire options for virtually every vehicle imaginable. Support from companies that believe in grassroots motorsports is what keeps racers chasing checkered flags week after week, and we’re proud to have them as part of the Dallas Kibbe Racing team for the 2026 season.
A special thanks goes out to Lexani Tires, Lionhart Tires, Rolling Big Power Tires, and the team at SimpleTire.com for their continued support of Dallas’ racing journey.
Follow Dallas Kibbe Racing for race results, stats, and behind-the-scenes racing action:
https://www.facebook.com/DallasKibbeRacing
https://www.instagram.com/dallaskibbe_13/
https://www.tiktok.com/@dallaskibbe_13
https://www.myracepass.com/drivers/178661
This interview sponsored by our pals at National Parts Depot –
your premier source for muscle car restoration parts!
