Following their mechanic father, Magees do the work themselves
Darrel and Wesley Magee are brothers by blood and in the world of classic cars.
The Magee brothers, who live near each other in Foxworth, have enjoyed working on cars their entire lives. That passion began with their father, who was a mechanic.
On Easter Sunday 1997, Darrel got his street rod car and Wesley received his 1968 Ford truck when he was 15. Together over the years they have worked together on these vehicles.
The brothers went to their first car show together in 2013, which was “Cruisin’ the Coast,” and have been supporting each other ever since. Darrel says he tries to go to a show at least once a month and Wesley goes a little bit more, usually three times a month, but both like to go as much as possible.
Wesley’s truck has won 36 awards. Darrel says he has won many awards also but for him it also is a matter of classifications at the shows, as his car is considered a street rod, but he has won awards, in about half of the shows he’s entered. Both are members of Backwoods Cruisers.
Both said the hobby of classic cars is fun but also time consuming and expensive.
“It doesn’t matter if you hire someone or do it yourself, it takes time and money. I tell everyone if they want to get into classic cars do the work yourself. Especially if you have a child, it is a great bonding experience and you will be proud of your work,” Darrel said.
Wesley said he and his father tore his truck down to the frame and rebuilt the engine.
“In eight years I have spent $38,000 and that is doing the work ourselves,” Wesley said.
The brothers also work on each other’s cars. Darrel does the mechanic work and painting and Wesley handles the body and fabrication.
Darrel said, when asked if classic cars are slowly becoming a thing of the past, “A younger generation is coming up. It is alive. It is getting harder to find the older cars, the cars of the 50s and 60s. Now a lot are doing ‘70s and ‘80s models.”
The brothers said the classic car community is a close-knit group just like a family. They occasionally go to different shows just to meet new people. Wesley shared a story of one show he went to in Collins where his high school band director had a car in the show. Wesley said he had not seen his band director since high school, but now every so often they run into each other at the shows. Darrell said they have ran into people who knew their father, who as a mechanic sometimes worked on dirt track racecars when he was still living.
The Columbia Gearheads Cruise In will be from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, July 6 as part of Freedom Fest. The Magee brothers said they plan on being there with their classics displayed.
The Columbia Gearheads hosts the cruise in the first Saturday of every month with the exception of October.
There is no charge to participate in the cruise in.
Pictured Above: Wesley Magee left, is pictured with his 1968 Ford Truck and Darrel Magee with his street rod. The brothers have restored and worked on classic vehicles most of their lives. Both of the vehicles have won numerous awards at various car shows. | Photo by Susan Amundson
