On May 24, the LT Auto Club will hold its annual Lyons Township Car Care (LTCC) Auto Show, a car show run entirely by students. The competition features students from the community looking to showcase their automotive skills and craftsmanship through their vehicles, and is open to the public. 

The club has its own student-run, fully functioning auto shop and uses the annual show to raise money for the club and shop, club sponsor Jordan Engelhardt said. In terms of fundraising and involvement, the LTCC is the club’s biggest event of the year. 

“[The LTCC] offers a chance for car enthusiasts to showcase their custom vehicles in the NC parking lot,” Engelhardt said. “It’s also a chance for students to showcase the hard work they’ve put into their own vehicles over the years.”

The show features nine broad vehicle categories in which registrants can participate, including a student car selection, muscle cars, vintage cars, trucks, and super cars. The broad categories allow for more participation and diversity among the competition. The student car selection allows for students to showcase their dedication to their vehicles in a celebratory fashion. 

“Anyone who believes their car fits one of our nine broad vehicle categories is welcome to register and participate,” Engelhardt said.

This year is the 12th annual edition of the LTCC Auto Show, which has regularly been a popular event amongst the community, Engelhardt said while the auto shows’ turnouts typically are heavily dependent on weather conditions, the show has still had about 60 to 70 cars show up in the rainy conditions, with the record for attendance being 130 cars. The show featured 112 cars in 2024. 

“Over the years, the show has grown steadily,” Engelhardt said. “We have room for about 160 [cars] in total.”

This year, the show features a newly acquired 1962 MGA race car along with three other sports cars, built in the student shop, Engelhardt said. The show itself has grown over the 12 years, with a lot of returning regulars who participate year after year, along with a list of new applicants as well. The returners tend to have modifications to their vehicles and have new stories to share with the students of the auto club. 

“These students willingly give up their Saturday to support the program they’re proud to be a part of,” Engelhardt said. “It’s a long list of small tasks that add up to a major undertaking.”

The planning for the event consists of several student volunteers involved in the auto club. The volunteers commend the event itself, with parking, food service, and overall logistics handled by the staff of event volunteers. One of those student volunteers is Derek Martinez ‘25, who has been involved in the auto club and the club’s shop. 

“The show definitely drains a Saturday out of your schedule,” Martinez said. “But it’s totally worth it. I’m glad I can help out the club.”

The auto show is scheduled on May 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the NC parking lot.