There are some who just enjoy rolling up their sleeves and getting under the hood of a car, which is exactly how Earl Nelson, 78, feels about classic car restoration and his 1956 Oldsmobile Super 88.

Nelson was in the market for a classic car 20 years ago that wouldn’t break the bank. He was interested in a ‘56 Chevrolet but realized there were more cost-effective choices out there. While in Seattle he came across an advertisement for the Oldsmobile.

“I had looked at the Oldsmobiles prior to that because of the cost of the Chevrolets, and as soon as I saw it advertised I thought it was a car that I am interested in,” Nelson said.

Nelson offered the seller $4,000 and before long the Oldsmobile was being dropped off at his house in Raymond. It wasn’t until relocating to Montesano 20 years ago that he began the long process of restoration. While the car had been through some unique alterations, including being converted to run on propane during the gas shortage of the 1960’s, Nelson said the vehicle was in remarkable condition.

“I’d say it has about 60 percent of its original parts,” he said.

The car was basically void of rust, and so the bodywork Nelson had done was strictly cosmetic and of his own choice in an effort to keep with the original design of the car.

“I tried to build it like we did in the ‘50s,” he said. “I shaved the hood, the trunk and the door handles. The stainless on it is original and the bumpers were re-chromed but are the originals.”

Even the engine is an original 324 Oldsmobile engine.

“I’m sure it’ll do 100 (mph). It’s got the original 324 Oldsmobile engine in it so it’ll get up and go,” he said.

Nelson had the front and inner fenders, hood, doors and trunk lid, “basically anything that would come off,” acid-dipped. The process got rid of what little rust was there and only took a week. After the dip there was a noticeable difference.

“It brings the metal back to almost its original condition,” he said.

His goal of keeping the car as close to original as possible throughout the process of restoration was helped along by his extensive mechanical background. Nelson has been interested in cars and the mechanics behind them since he was 14 years old, honing his skills and knowledge throughout a 21-year career in the Navy as an aircraft mechanic and flight engineer. Now retired, he has no intention of slowing down the work he does in the personal shop next to his home.

“It’s what I do, I’ve been retired now 17 years and I live in that shop out there,” he said.

Nelson says restoration and body work doesn’t come cheap. Completing the restoration after 4 years of work, he got it appraised for insurance purposes and was told the restored vehicle was worth some $43,000.

“I’m very satisfied and very proud of it,” he said. “In fact, I’ve got a whole wall of trophies for it from different car shows.”

Nelson has taken the Oldsmobile to car shows around the county and the state for the 7 years. The car has been featured in CruZin’ Magazine at least five times. He will again this year take it to the 15th annual Montesano Historic Car Show July 15, where the community will get to see the product of Nelson’s hard work.

Last year the car show brought in 220 historic cars to Montesano, and event organizer Dave Foss says, weather permitting, a similar showing can be expected this year.

“We have space to park at least 300 cars, so we have room for more and all the money goes right back to the community through local charities like the Montesano Food Bank,” he said.

Registration for those entering their classic vehicles in the show begins at 8 a.m on July 15. Foss says the show more or less begins with the arrival of the first cars. The registration fee is $20 or $15 with a donation of food to the Montesano Food Bank.

There are some 44 possible awards courtesy of numerous local business and organizations, including Vaughan Co., of Montesano, who is sponsoring the awards of people’s and participants’ choice in addition to at least four others.

After awards have been given, folks who weren’t able to make it downtown can grab a lawn chair and sit outside their homes at 3 p.m. as the historic cars drive through Montesano and up around Lake Sylvia. A root beer social will be held for participants at Montesano Health and Rehab.

This year will feature a poker walk, where participants can draw a card at each of the five participating downtown businesses, with the winner being the individual holding the best poker hand at the end of the event. A cash prize of $50 will be awarded to the winner. Montesano businesses also are encouraged to get with the spirit of the car show, and the business that does the best job of decorating their windows or signs in a car-show theme will be declared the winner.

The Kids Summer Fest also will return with the car show this year from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bounce houses, an inflatable obstacle course, face painting and fire department drills will all be offered at Fleet Park.

Also at the car show this year will be live music performed by “Slightly Awry” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., tours of the Montesano Courthouse, a swap meet and numerous vendors selling food, crafts and antiques.

“We invite everyone to come and enjoy the show, even if you don’t look at a single car, you’ll find something to do with everything that’s going on,” Foss said.