CVTC hosts car show for students and staff ahead of finals

The cars were displayed at the college’s transportation education center in Eau Claire.

The Finals Fest & Auto Show brought a lighthearted spirit and allowed students and staff with all manner of rides to enter their vehicles to be judged by their peers.

Cars covered in rust and dirt lined up next to pristine, vintage hot rods for various awards.

CVTC student involvement specialist Kurtis Burton said the new event was meant to be relaxing and fun.

“We have trophies from the 80s, old car trophies that we found, so we modified them to fit our show for today,” he said. “We like to have a little bit of fun with students so they can de-stress before they gear up for finals and graduation.”

Attendees cast votes during the auto show to select the winners.

More than 40 cars were entered in the show, including category-winners like the 1922 Ford Model T, which won Best Vintage car, a 1968 Pontiac Firebird, which took home Best Chrome and a 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C, named Best Modified.

More unusual winners Wednesday included a 2011 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3, which won People’s Choice and Most Likely to Get Ticketed, a 2018 Subaru Impreza, named Best Party Vehicle and a 1999 Chevy Tahoe with the Best Rust.

Chris Berg is an alumnus of CVTC from Chippewa Falls who now works in the automotive industry.

“I’m stoked that CVTC did this. We car guys love to see people’s rides. This event is unique because it’s super student-centered. Some of these cars are a mess, literally, which makes sense for college kids,” Berg said. “I love that they have unique judging categories like Most Likely to get Ticketed, Best Rust and Worst Interior. They have the typical categories too, like Best Modified but the others really made me laugh.”