Ronnie Smith has made a life working on cars — antiques, hot rods, and newer vehicles. And at Saturday’s Extreme Dreams Vehicle Club Show and Shine car show, Smith said he had maintained and helped restore at least 14 of the cars on display.

He also owns three of the cars: a 1962 Corvette, a 1933 Willys and a 1967 Nova.

&uot;It’s rewarding to see what you have when you’ve finished,&uot; Smith, said of his work.

Smith said he began working on lawnmowers and motor bikes.

&uot;I’ve done (repair work) ever since I was about 12- or 13-years-old,&uot; Smith said. His son, Tony, is also in the business and is working to convert a 1980 Dodge Spirit into a race car.

He probably has another year of work to do on the car before it will be completely finished, Smith said.

Smith, who owns Ronnie’s Auto on U.S. 61 South, was just one of several car owners who went to Natchez Mall Saturday for the car show.

Extreme Dreams is a newly formed car club and Saturday’s Show and Shine Car Show was its first charity event.

Vehicle owners entered about 30 cars in the show, with proceeds from entry fees benefitting the Guardian Shelter.

&uot;All of us hang out together and we wanted to make a club so we could (have car shows) and raise some money for charity,&uot; said Kevin Strahan of Extreme Dreams.

And having the car show gives people a chance to show off their rare vehicles.

&uot;Lots of these guys have cars,&uot;&160;said Tim Loy of Natchez Market, a sponsor of the car show. &uot;If we don’t have a car show, nobody ever gets to see them.&uot;

A purple 1999 Plymouth Prowler valued at around $50,000 and owned by Glenn Seally of Baton Rouge, La., generated a great deal of interest at the show, Strahan said.

Judges awarded prizes for vehicle appearance, interior work, sound pressure and engine quality.