Kevin Tomka tries to think back to when his obsession with cool cars started.  After a minute, he says that there was a local Dodge dealership in the small town in which he grew up—Dodge, Neb. And, it only followed that his first car ever was a 1966 Dodge Charger.

After a bit of tinkering around with motorcycles when he was 14- to 15-years old, he and his dad picked up the Charger.  At age 16, this car became his pride and joy. And, 30 years later, at age 46, Kevin says that he is still the proud owner of that ’66 Charger.

He goes on to says that the story behind the purchase of the Charger is that he had a 1969 Charger in mind and was promised he could pick it up, one day, back in 1979. But, when Kevin and his father went to get that car, the seller had “a change of heart and change of mind.” He was not willing to sell the ’69, but he was open to selling a ‘66 to Kevin. And today, just like that seller was so attached to the ’69 Charger, Kevin holds onto the ’66 Charger.

Kevin says that he had always heard people reminiscing about the cars they had when they were in high school, saying things like “I wish I still had that car.” So, he listened and held onto his very first car.  He explains that he has never been able to let go of it; although, he adds that it could use some tender love and care.

Since the purchase of the Charger, Kevin has gone on to own a total of four other specialty cars: a 1976 Buick, a 1970 Chevelle, 1964 Dodge and a 1949 Chrysler New Yorker. He still has four of the five collector cars that he has had, over the years. Pictured are his 1964 Dodge Polara Hardtop and his 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Convertible.

Kevin says that he bought the Chevelle, in 2002. He says that this car is special to him, because it is his first convertible ever.  And, he says that he enjoys cruising around with the top down. He adds that it is an all-original car with 68,000 miles on it. Yet, while it is “all-original,” he has added a little chrome and repainted the vehicle. He says that he takes the car to many shows.  It has not won many awards, but he thinks it is a “very pretty car.”

The award-winning car is Kevin’s ’64 Dodge.  The car is such an eye-catching vehicle, that it was once even featured in his local newspaper.

Kevin says that there is a lot of sentimental attachment to the ’64 Dodge, because he knows exactly where it came from—its origin.  He explains that as an 11- or 12-year old kid, he used to see the ’64 Dodge running up and down the local streets.  And, when he heard the car was for sale a few years ago, he jumped on the opportunity to buy it and became the third owner.

“I shouldn’t say I purchased the car,” says Kevin. “It was more like an adoption. The first two owners were there and had to approve of what I was going to do with the car.  I felt privileged and honored to own the car because of its heritage in the area.”

Kevin says that he took the Dodge directly from the purchase point to restoration. The restoration took two years, and it has been completed and attending car shows, since August 2008. 

Some of that restoration included enhancing the 383-cubic-inch engine with parts from the Mopar Performance Package, and the automatic transmission was fitted with a B&M shift linkage. Kevin also gave the vehicle a more contemporary look by mounting 18-inch wheels in the front and 20-inch wheels in the back. And, the car has caught the eyes of fellow car enthusiasts at car shows all over the Kansas area.

The first showing of his Dodge was at the Goodguys Midwestern Nationals, held at Kansas City’s Kansas Speedway.   At that show, the newly-completed vehicle was awarded the Flowmaster Award.  Since then, the car has also won other awards, including runner up to the Best in Show at the Arthritis Foundation car show that is held in his hometown of Overland Park, Kan.

Kevin says that he goes to about 15 car shows and cruise nights, each year. He adds that while his wife Julie might say he goes to “too many,” he thinks he attends just the right amount. He explains that he finds great enjoyment in socializing with other “car people.”

Plus, it is a family affair for the Tomkas—he says that his children Bryce, Cameron and Anna all enjoy getting out to the shows with Dad.  He adds that all three kids have already put their names on the cars that they want when they get older.

Story by: Becky McLaughlin