On Saturday, Nov. 4, the sixth annual Rolling Art Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show will be held at Thompson’s Landscape and Stone Garden Gallery at 83 Palmer Street in Tryon. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The event runs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. with judging at 1 p.m. Admission is free and open to everyone.

One of the most unusual automobiles at the show will be James Payne’s 1958 Rollsmobile. The car is a replica of a 1901 Oldsmobile and was made from 1958 to 1960 by the Smart Manufacturing Company in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The Rollsmobile has been in the Tryon Christmas parade many times over the years, in the Tryon Centennial Parade carrying Betty Frost, and in many school parades around the area. Payne will be at the show on Saturday to talk about the car’s history.

Longstanding members of the community, James and wife Verlee, live on property on Lockhart Rd. originally purchased by James’ great grandmother. As a young man James worked with Carter Brown who owned the Pine Crest Inn and met many of the famous people who visited Tryon in those days. He remembers the Tryon Hounds Hunt would start on the lawn of Pine Crest Inn. The hounds and riders would gather and cast off from there to the old Hunt Country.

Until his recent retirement, Mr. Payne was owner of Payne’s Taxi Service specializing in delivering people to area airports. Alfred Payne, James’ father, started the business in the late 1920s. James Payne took over in 1952 and purchased a brand new Chevrolet DeLuxe. At the time, Ford, Chevrolet, and Plymouth-Dodge all had dealerships in Tryon. There were eight gas stations and nine hotels and inns in the town of Tryon.

In 1970, Arthur Borden, Charles Smith and James Payne started Tryon Car Rental seeing a need for rental cars in our area. Borden acquired the Rollsmobile to use for that business. When Tryon Car Rental closed, Borden gave the car to Payne who has enjoyed using it to advertise Payne Taxi Service.

The Rolling Art Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show wants all types of unusual and interesting automobiles from antique to modern to come on Saturday. Ribbons are awarded for Best of Show in the three categories as well as an overall Sponsor’s Award and a new Bob Lane award. There is no entry fee to the show. Participants and spectators are asked to bring a donation of nonperishable food for Steps To Hope. Food will be available for purchase. The Tryon Beer Fest is that afternoon so spectators could attend both events.

To preregister your car, truck, or motorcycle email Rollingart-
tryon@gmail.com.

– submitted by Lucy Brannon