Rob Rhew of McDonough said attending car shows with his father has brought them closer together over the years.
“I get to see him having a good time, and I have a good time myself, even if we’re broke down on the side of the road somewhere,” he said. “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.”

Rhew, 55, is a minister at Ringgold Baptist Church in Griffin, and a chief maintenance technician at the Clayton County Water Department. He and his father, Bob, recently displayed their vehicles at a local car show, continuing a tradition that has lasted for decades.

Rob Rhew brought his 1967 Chevrolet C-10, which he has owned for 10 years. He said he has maintained a love of classic cars “from birth” and credited his dad with planting seeds for his automotive passion.

“He taught me how to tell the difference between a ‘55 and a ‘56 Chevrolet, I think, before I could say my own name,” the son said.

Bob Rhew, 77, is retired from the Georgia Department of Transportation and Ryder Truck Diesel. He enjoys driving his turquoise 1930 Model A five-window coupe and displaying it at car shows.

The father and son shared their memories of how they obtained the Model A.

“Rob found it for me on the Internet,” said Bob. “I just wanted something I could drive at the time,” he continued. “I was working on a 1951 Ford F-1 pickup. It’s almost finished after 30 years. I just wanted something I could drive in the meantime.

“It was down in south Alabama,” continued Bob regarding the Model A. “We drove down there, liked it and bought it. That was about 12-13 years ago.”

Rob chimed in about the day they — along with his late mother, Linda – braved the Alabama heat to get the car. He credited divine intervention with helping to keep them safe.

“We were out in the middle of nowhere and broke down,” said Rob. “A very large, scary man came out of his house, and I thought he was going to tell us to leave. But, he let my mom stay there in the air conditioning. It was about 110 degrees in south Alabama. He showed me where I could rent a trailer. It had to have been a God thing.”

Bob said he began making improvements to the Model A “almost immediately” after he got it.

“I did purchase it nearly completed, but I had to put some finishing touches on it — all new interior, some extra chrome, and some tires and wheels,” he said.

Rob said it didn’t take long for his dad to begin displaying the Model A. In fact, the father entered it into a car show a week after buying it.

“He won his first trophy with that car,” said Rob. “He has 18 or 19 trophies with that car. It gets a lot of attention everywhere it goes.”

Rob has displayed his 1967 Chevrolet C-10 Truck at car shows for approximately eight years. Since then, he has achieved his own accolades in shows.

“I got it at least 10 years ago,” said Rob. “I saw it on the Internet. Me and Pop went to get it. I’ve had several of them, and he’s had several also. It just struck me personally.”

Since buying the truck, the younger Rhew has changed out its engine, transmission and interior. As recently as last week, he was still hard at work in the restoration process.

“We’re going to install some modern features like air conditioning, power brakes and power steering,” said Rob. “I’ve always had something I could take to a show. I’ve had several hot rods. I have an ‘86 C-10 that I just acquired a couple weeks ago.”

The son said his father has accompanied him to “probably hundreds” of car shows over the years. He said spending time with each other at car shows has been an important part of their relationship.

“We’ve been going to car shows since the early 1980s, and we go to 10 or 20 a year,” said Rob.

Still, the son said their bond hasn’t always been limited to attending car shows together.

“My dad was my crew chief when I was racing stock cars about 20 years ago, when I was a lot younger,” said Rob. “He’s never cared for sports, but he’s always talking about motorsports and racing. I learn something new every time we get together.”

Bob said he and his son have caught the eyes of onlookers while restoring vehicles together.

“Rob knows the tool I need before I ask for it, and the same with me — I know what tool he needs before he asks for it,” said the father. “People are amazed at how closely we work.”

Both men said their passion for cars has also enabled them to share the gospel with others. Rob said it is important for dads to build strong bonds with their sons.

“Fathers and sons need to have some kind of common interest, whether it’s cars or sport or gaming, hunting, fishing, anything — something they can do together and enjoy life together,” he said.

Although Bob didn’t point to any single car-show experience with his son as being his favorite, he said each one “makes life worthwhile.”

“A lot of fathers don’t spend time with their sons for various reasons, and they miss out on the blessings of life,” said Bob. “It’s not the vehicle that we’ve got, not the car or the truck. It’s each other.”