- April 19, 2024
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John Jensen has owned over 300 Chevrolet Chevelles in his lifetime.
Hardtops. Convertibles. Gold. Silver. Red.
Sitting in the driveway of his Ormond-by-the-Sea home is a 1970 Chevelle convertible. He bought it in 2006, and in March of this year, he completed a frame-off restoration of the vehicle. Jensen does all the work on his own, even the fresh coat of paint.
“I know every nut and bolt of a Chevelle," Jensen said. "That’s what I did my whole life.”
His love of cars began when he was a kid. Jensen bought his first car — a Chevy Impala — at 14 years old. He couldn't drive it, but he could fix it up and sell it. The second he owned was a Chevelle, and he was hooked ever since.
In 1982, he started his own business restoring cars. Jensen sold it last year, and is now retired, but his passion for classic cars is everlasting.
It's one of the reasons he's been attending the Daytona Turkey Run for over 20 years.
“I love that show," Jensen said. "I think it’s great. I get to talk to a lot of people from all over the country.”
The 47th-annual Daytona Turkey Run at the Daytona International Speedway, located at 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., will begin at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, and run through Nov. 29. One of the largest combined car show and swap meets in the U.S., this four-day show features over 6,000 vintage, classic and custom, muscle, race cars and trucks on display and for sale, according to a press release.
The event also features an Artisan Alley with fashion, art and food vendors. Last year, over 150,000 people were in attendance.
“We are thrilled to be able to produce the Daytona Turkey Run this year," said Barbara Kelly, general manager of the Daytona Turkey Run, in the press release. "We have received such a positive response from vendors, participants and spectators alike."
The outdoor event will not be mandating masks due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, though the press release states they are "highly encouraged." There will be stationary hand sanitizing stations throughout the field.
For Lake Mary resident Doug Berrios, attending the Turkey Run each year is tradition. He's been attending for nine years, and this year is no exception.
“I just love the atmosphere and I like how this event is conducted outdoors," Berrios said.
He said he loves seeing the classic cars, but part of the draw for him is the antiques he often can find for sale as well as the street food vendors. His mustang isn't ready to showcase yet, but he hopes one day it will be.
Before wintering in Florida, Joan Jensen recalls that her husband would leave their Connecticut home immediately after Thanksgiving dinner to make it to the Turkey Run the next day.
"I'd be like, 'Who leaves their house on Thanksgiving for a car show?'" Joan Jensen said.
When she came down to Florida to see it for herself, she understood, though she wondered if any of them also cooked a turkey dinner. The Jensens then started attending the Turkey Run together every year, and later bought their house in Ormond-by-the-Sea where they usually hold large Thanksgiving gatherings. This year that won't happen because of the pandemic.
Still, the Jensens will showcase their 1970 Chevelle at the speedway. It's a model of car that holds a lot of memories for the couple, which have been married for 40 years. Joan Jensen used to sneak out of the house to go joyriding with John in his 1968 Chevelle when they were dating. That very same car is now owned by their son.
Restoring cars is in John Jensen's blood.
“He can put a Chevelle together blindfolded from scratch," Joan Jensen said.
