Showing off the Bel Air

Tommy Schurig developed his love of classic cars when he inherited one from his uncle back in 2001. Although the ride — a 1969 Chevrolet Bel Air — is one that Tommy, his wife Pat and daughter Ina prefer to cruise around in during cooler months, they recently decided to take it out for a stroll.

Tommy says the car is in its original form — no restorations of any kind, including the original motor, transmission, you name it.

“I haven’t done any additions of any kind to it,” he said. “There’s no radio, no air conditioning, no power steering. It’s the original engine block. The only things that are not from 1969 are the tires!”

Sporting the Bel Air, Tommy has won car shows in cities like Gonzales, Luling and Flatonia. Such automotive accolades include second place in the Classic ‘55-’78 Pilgrim Festival, as well as first place in the Original/Restored 2002 Oil City Classic Car Show.

“I used to be a member of the Oil City A’s Car Club in Luling, and then we started our own car club,” he said. “I’m a charter member of the Gonzales Classic Cruisers. We’re still involved today. We offer scholarships every year for automotive education.”