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Scene & Heard: Auto aficionados flock to Engels Car Show

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, August 20, 2025

By Beachcomber Staff

At Sunday’s car show, (left to right) Connie Engels, Lou Engels and Paul Engels held court in matching t-shirts on the ground’s of their family’s longtime and beloved business, Engels Towing and Repair. The definition of a small family business, Engels Repair & Towing was established in 1951 and is still going strong. (Elizabeth Shepherd photo)
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At Sunday’s car show, (left to right) Connie Engels, Lou Engels and Paul Engels held court in matching t-shirts on the ground’s of their family’s longtime and beloved business, Engels Towing and Repair. The definition of a small family business, Engels Repair & Towing was established in 1951 and is still going strong. (Elizabeth Shepherd photo)

At Sunday’s car show, (left to right) Connie Engels, Lou Engels and Paul Engels held court in matching t-shirts on the ground’s of their family’s longtime and beloved business, Engels Towing and Repair. The definition of a small family business, Engels Repair & Towing was established in 1951 and is still going strong. (Elizabeth Shepherd photo)
At Sunday’s car show, (left to right) Connie Engels, Lou Engels and Paul Engels held court in matching t-shirts on the ground’s of their family’s longtime and beloved business, Engels Towing and Repair. The definition of a small family business, Engels Repair & Towing was established in 1951 and is still going strong. (Elizabeth Shepherd photo)
Paul Engels (center) after being presented by the Wallenberg family (Randy and Krista, at right, and Cynthia, not pictured) with a trophy for his longtime annual presentation of Engels Car Show. (Elizabeth Shepherd photo)
An added attraction of the annual Engels Car Show is the opportunity to pick and feast on thousands of ripe blackberries lining the grounds of Engels Towing & Repair in August — even finding a place to grow on several historic trucks that adorn the property. (Tom Hughes photo)
Classic cars revved up Dockton Road and spread out across the lawn at Engels Repair & Towing, bringing the curious eyes and cameras of car fans from near and far. (Alex Bruell photo)

Last Sunday, connoisseurs of fine machinery from Vashon and the mainland showed up in droves to enjoy the annual Engels Car Show, held at the family’s iconic gas station and repair shop on Maury Island.

Because the show is non-competitive and free to enter, it has always attracted participation from a wide spectrum of car collectors on the island and beyond, and this year’s show was no exception, with about 120 vehicles on display.

Paul Engels, who organizes the show each year, said he had lost track of how many years he’s been doing it, though he’s certain it has been more than 20.

For his years of dedication to the event, Engels was awarded a special trophy at the show — made from the handle of a old gas pump — bestowed by Randy, Cynthia and Krista Wallenberg. Randy’s rally red 1965 Chevy Impala Super Sport — looking as streamlined and stylish as the day it rolled off the assembly line — was this year’s official show car, emblazoned on the collector’s T-shirts for the event.

The surprise award, emblazoned with a plaque reading “Thanks for the memories,” was presented to Engels in front of the bandstand where original members of the famed island band The Doily Brothers had gathered to play the car show’s soundtrack of both classic and obscure rock and roll gems.

“For 20-some years we’ve all been able to see a great display of classic cars of every kind, every make and model, and it is past time to say thank you to the person who has made it possible,” said Cynthia Wallenberg, as she presented the award.

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