GARFIELD -- "I was never allowed to have a sports car when I was a teenager," Dawn Maxwell said, "because they're dangerous and they're for boys."
Now treasurer of the Arkansas River Chapter of the Pontiac and GMC Club of Northwest Arkansas, Maxwell drives a 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT that she remodeled herself.
"I mostly just did the bodywork," she said. She drives the car regularly and said "there's always something to do."
"I grew up in a car family. My parents built street rods."
Originally from Greenville, Miss., Maxwell moved to Bentonville with her family when she was in the third grade "when Bentonville was a small town."
"I've been around cars since I was 12 and been going to car shows, street dances -- just all kinds of stuff. It's something I've been passionate about," Maxwell said.
Club president Richie Lovan praised Maxwell's dedication to the club, saying, "she and I do most of the work."
The club held a car show Aug. 6 at the home of Gene and Teresa Newman of Garfield. The Newmans are members of several car clubs including the Model A Club, Pontiac Club, Foothills of the Ozarks and Fairview Club in Missouri.
The oldest car in the Pontiac and GMC Club of Northwest Arkansas is the Newmans' 1939 Pontiac Silver Streak convertible.
"It's one of the nicest restored cars you'll ever fine," Teresa Newman said.
Annette Beard can be reached by email at [email protected].
Dawn Maxell, treasurer of the Arkansas River Chapter of the Pontiac and GMC Club of Northwest Arkansas, shows off her 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT that she refurbished herself. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Annette Beard)
This 2008 Pontiac G8 GT is owned by Richie Lovan, president of the Arkansas River Chapter of the Pontiac and GMC Club of Northwest Arkansas. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Annette Beard)
Pontiacs from many different years were on display at a show Aug. 6 of the Arkansas River Chapter of the Pontiac and GMC Club of Northwest Arkansas. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Annette Beard)
Gene and Teresa Newman own a 1977 Pontiac LeMans among their many antique vehicles. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Annette Beard)
This 1939 Pontiac Silver Streak convertible is “one of the nicest restored cars you’ll ever find,” said Teresa Newman. Gene and Teresa Newman are members of several car clubs and enjoy restoring and showing antique cars. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Annette Beard)