Every once in a while an opportunity comes along to experience one of the great old cars of Kokomo’s past. This year during the Haynes Apperson Festival, the Pioneer Auto Club played host to Steve Wooldridge, club member Don Wooldridge’s cousin. Steve brought up from Florida his 1914 Apperson Jack Rabbit. It was the first time the car has been back to Kokomo since it was manufactured here. He’s been planning the trip for 10 years.

“I wanted to do it to celebrate the car’s 100th birthday and to honor my dad,” he said.

Wooldridge’s father would have turned 100 this year, too.

The pair bought the car together in 1977. The vehicle was found in Michigan in 1954. It was used as a power source for a small woodworking shop there. These days the vehicle has a few leaks, but it’s still pretty special, Wooldridge said.

The Jack Rabbit was a huge hit with everyone. Leading the Pioneer Auto Club’s annual Commemorative Run on Thursday from the Haynes Monument at Boulevard and Goyer, festival chairman Paul Wyman rode shotgun with Steve, both wearing old-time dusters. And of course, the 100-year-old Apperson had to lead the festival parade on Saturday, again drawing the applause and cheers from the crowd.

When the festival was over, on Sunday, Don and Marilyn brought Steve (and of course the Jack Rabbit) to the Elwood Haynes Museum for a photo-op in the carriage port beside the house. Sensing this was the only chance I would ever have to ride in a century-old Apperson, I asked Steve to take me for a ride through Highland Park and he was more than glad to do so.

Now, I’ve been very fortunate to drive and ride in a number of great old Kokomo cars thanks to Bob Gollner and Jeff Griffin. I’m lucky to have a job at the Elwood Haynes Museum that provides me the opportunity to drive the 1923 Haynes Speedster for events like the festival. But this was the first time I have ever ridden in a 100-year-old Apperson. And what a huge thrill it was for me.

Our ride was not without incident. We got underway and then 2 blocks into the run the car began to stall. It was then Steve said “Oh, I forgot to turn the fuel on” and then laughed as he rolled to a stop at the curbside. A quick visit under the hood and a twist of the fuel valve and moments later we back in business. I thought it was interesting the car ran for 2 blocks on Webster Street on just the fuel that was in the fuel line before dyeing of thirst.

Riding on board the ‘ol Jack Rabbit through the park was like experiencing a flashback in time. Cruising on the bricks past the Vermont covered bridge, exposed in the open car without a windshield gave me a feel for what it must have been like in the old days. There were a number of people out in the park on this beautiful day and as they waved, Steve gave the old bulb horn a few squeezes and the resulting “honk, honk, honk” delighted all around.

Then, as we approached the first speed bump (I thought he saw it) I braced myself. We bounced over it and amazingly I was able to keep my camera steady (I was shooting a video of the ride.) Each subsequent speed bump Steve navigated to the right as the bike path has no speed bump and it was smooth sailing.

Exiting the park and rolling back into the carriage port of the museum, the ride was over and my life as an antique car enthusiast had been enriched once again in a way I never expected. And the old saying “Once through the park and then home, James, er, Steve” comes to mind. Thanks to Steve, Don and Marilyn for making this wonderful experience happen.