Steve Schmeelk first became fascinated with cars when he was nine-years-old while playing in the dirt.   He has had several careers revolving around cars: including owning a tire store and a limousine company, but none fascinated him as much as driving a MARTA bus for 26 years, his last job before retirement.    

Over the last 12 years, he has bought and sold about 20 cars.  Among his favorites are a 1937 Ford slant back, a 1930 Ford coupe, a 1948 Buick 2 door, a 1935 Ford pickup truck, a 1949 Ford, 1948 Buick two door, a 1955 Chevrolet, a 1979 MGB convertible, a 2001 Camaro convertible, a 1972 Buick boattail Riviera, a 1939 Hudson and a 2013 Cadillac CTS two door.

 His 2021 car project involves trading four of his cars for a Resto Mod Corvette. Upon completion, the red car will have a new LS3 fuel-injected engine, a ’62 body, a 2006 frame and automatic transmission.

When Steve and his wife of 52 years downsized four years ago, he needed a place to buy and sell his fleet of cars.  Gateway Classic Cars, part of a national chain, is based in Alpharetta, GA close to Steve’s new home in Cumming, Georgia; so “I could buy and sell the cars there,” he quips.

Before Covid, Steve could be spotted at car shows every weekend, where he shows off one of his favorites. With cooperation from COVID 19, Steve will attend the Rod Run show in Pidgeon Forge on April 15-17, where his Corvette is entered.  

 A second generation Georgian, Steve grew up in Decatur, Georgia, 30 miles south of his current gated retirement community.

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