Looking for a father-son activity that both parties would enjoy was a quest for Scott Jobb of La Grange when his son Jason turned 11 years old. Scott always loved cars, so he thought going to car shows with his boy would be a good way to do something extraordinary. He chose to go to the Heartland Nationals in Iowa. They had a great time away from home looking at cars all weekend.

When younger brother Jonathan blew out the candles on his birthday cake on his 11th birthday, he turned to his dad and said, “Dad, would you take me to the Heartland Nationals this year?”

That was the start of what would blossom into a lifetime hobby and “totally enjoyable pastime” for Jobb and his family — including his Ann, his wife, and Jennifer, older sister to Jason and Jonathan. In fact, this year, Scott and Ann logged 7,400 miles visiting eight cities showing their 1932 Ford Victoria. The car is a fiberglass replica that the Jobbs purchased in 2003 with the intention of competing in various car shows throughout the country.

Starting out at local shows throughout the area, the Jobbs constructed a simple, but attractive display. They would notice what cars would take awards. Their car also was getting a lot of attention.

“I thought this was a cool car to go to shows with my boys,” Scott said.

As time went on, the kids got busy with their own activities.

Ann also always has had an interest in cars with fond remembrances of Scott’s first Camaro, a 1973 Z-28.

“When he would work on the car, I would sit with him, keep him company. (We would) talk and just being together,” she said.

In September of last year, Scott and Ann entered a car show in Sycamore, Ill. There were more than 1,000 vehicles on display. Everyone got a ballot to vote on his or her favorite car. As the awards were being announced, Scott was sitting there enjoying the day and applauding as each winner was announced.

“They read the top 100 cars, and we weren’t on the list — then they announced the special awards. They called out ‘Now, Best in Show’ and announced a number. I gazed among the crowd, looking for the winner of Best in Show and the guy next to me nudged me and said, ‘That’s you!’”

The couple then investigated the World of Wheels in Chicago. All shows held throughout the United States and Canada including AutoRama, World of Wheels, Cavalcade of Customs are sanctioned by the International Show Car Association, and exhibitors’ vehicles are assigned categories and judged based on ISCA rules. There are professional judges — a team of five men who judge the cars.

“There are all sorts of vehicles. It is really an art form,” Scott said. “Detail and cleanliness are very important. There are actually five criteria in the judging: 1) fit and finish; 2) creativity; 3) cleanliness; 4) presentation; and 5) overall package. It is really what appeals to the judges.”

The top car in the World of Wheels competition nets $50,000 in prize money over the course of the year.

At the start of the season, there were 8,845 cars competing in the World of Wheels. The Jobb vehicle ended up ranked seventh in the United States.

“It is so exciting — we have a ball. We’ve been to Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Omaha, and St. Paul,” Scott said.

There are many cities and shows yet to visit.

“In 33 years of marriage, it is wonderful to get away with my wife for these long weekends,” Scott said. “We are treated like celebrities; we stay in nice places; and we have met the nicest people.”

Ann couldn’t agree more.

“If we were home, there is always something to do around here — this way, we are gone from the daily grind and have made many new friends throughout the experience. We get out of our usual life.”

Although they have sold the 1932 Victoria, they have bought a new vehicle for this year’s circuit: a 1937 Ford Cabriolet. What started as a family activity 16 years ago has now become a family tradition.

For information on various car shows and the ISCA, visit the ISCA Web site at www.theisca.com.

Ideas? E-mail me at lifelgp@comcast.net.