Cool Wheels
Car Show
Thank you for supporting the 2026 Cool Wheels Car Show!
Save the Date for next year:
January 18, 2027
2026 TOP AWARDS
| Best of Show First Place: | Rene Portieles, Sr. and Rene Portieles, Jr. and their 1928 Chevrolet Tudor “Space Junkie” |
| Best of Show Second Place: | Steve Stegman and his 1932 Ford Roadster |
| Best of Show Third Place: | Tim Schmidt and his 1969 Dodge Coronet 500 – the “Happy Hemi” |
| Student’s Choice: | YATC student Juan Castro (Class of 2026) and his 1988 Toyota Camry |
2026 Cool Wheels Car Show: A Day to Remember
Thank you for a great 2026 Cool Wheels Car Show!
Everyone at the Youth Automotive Training Center was buzzing with excitement on January 18, 2026, as the 13th annual Cool Wheels Car Show drew a crowd of automotive enthusiasts for an unforgettable day. This year’s showcase featured nearly 1,000 display vehicles from every era.
From vintage restorations to late-model repairs and custom modifications, the 2026 Cool Wheels Car Show was a true celebration of all things automotive. More than 115 awards were presented with the top honors going to:
Coolest Car: Rene Portieles, Sr. and Rene Portieles, Jr. and their 1928 Chevrolet Tudor “Space Junkie”
Second place: Steve Stegman and his 1932 Ford Roadster
Third place: Tim Schmidt and his 1969 Dodge Coronet 500 – the “Happy Hemi”
Students’ Choice Award: YATC student Juan Castro (Class of 2026) and his 1988 Toyota Camry
Beyond the gleaming hoods and polished chrome, the Cool Wheels Car Show proved once again to be a true community gathering — a chance for families, local businesses and automotive enthusiasts of all ages to come together. Attendees also had the opportunity to learn more about our training programs, graduate qualifications and career pathways available through YATC.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT TO THE SHOW, AS WELL AS THE MANY STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WHO MADE THE SHOW POSSIBLE! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
ABOUT THE SHOW … At the Cool Wheels Car Show, more than 115 trophies and cash prizes are awarded! Gift bags and t-shirts will be given to the first 300 to register. The annual Cool Wheels Car Show features an incredible array of hundreds of cars from every genre. Antique roadsters line up with dragsters, trucks and muscle cars in dozens of makes and models. Thousands of spectators visited from near and far, all in support of the mission of giving YATC students and graduates a second chance at success.
Best of Show – $1,000
Second place – $500
Third place – $250
2026 Show Details:
Advance registration by January 9 is $30 with a credit card online.
Registration on the day of the show is $40 cash only.
Quiet Waters Park / Bald Eagle Shelter
401 S. Powerline Rd.
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
9 a.m. Gates open
10 a.m. Registration opens
12 p.m. Judging begins
4 p.m. Car Show ends
Want to register multiple vehicles? Each vehicle entry requires a unique email address. Questions? Email us at events@yatc.org
Attention Car Clubs:
Unfortunately, Cool Wheels cannot reserve individual parking spaces for any cars (or car clubs). Car clubs wishing to park together must have all vehicles pre-registered and paid in advance by January 1 with the car club named noted in registration. Credit card is the only payment method accepted for advance online registration. The paved area is designated for pre-registered car clubs only. No spaces will be held without confirmed payment. Each car club will have signage and a designated section based on the number of fully paid entries under that club name.
Car Club registration deadline is January 1, 2027, to ensure time for signage and placement planning. Thank you for your cooperation! We look forward to welcoming you to Cool Wheels 2027!
Thank you to the many volunteers who help make Cool Wheels the great show it is!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is it to enter a car in the Cool Wheels Car Show?
Advance registration is $30. You can register online here before January 9. Registration on the day of the show is $40 cash only.
Is Cool Wheels free for spectators?
The event is free but Quiet Waters Park charges $3 per car to enter the park (a vehicle with 9 or more people is $20).
When does judging start and end?
Your vehicle must be parked by 12 pm to be judged. Announcement of trophies starts at 3 pm. You must be present to win.
Can I be a vendor at the show?
Yes! Vendor spots fee is $100 Pay using this link. You must also be on the Broward County approved vendor list. Use vendor code 3B9058. Click here for more information. Contact events@yatc.org to reserve your vendor spot. Terms and conditions apply. Limited availability
Besides cool cars, what else does the show feature?
Cool Wheels is fun for the whole family. We have live music, food trucks, Broward Sheriff’s Office presentations, raffles, kids center and more!
Can I enter multiple cars in Cool Wheels?
Yes! You can register multiple cars but each car must be associated with a different email address. If the multiple cars are in a car club, contact events@yatc.org. If you do not have multiple email addresses or need help, email events@yatc.org.
Are car clubs welcomed?
Yes! Club presidents should email events@yatc.org with the number cars attending.
How are car clubs included at Cool Wheels?
Unfortunately, Cool Wheels can not reserve individual parking spaces for any cars (or car clubs).
Car clubs wishing to park together must have all vehicles pre-registered and paid in advance.
Credit card is the only payment method accepted for advance registration.
The paved area is designated for pre-registered car clubs only.
No spaces will be held without confirmed payment.
Each car club will have signage and a roped-off section based on the number of fully paid entries under that club name.
Car Club registration deadline is January 1, to ensure time for signage and placement planning.
Register using this link
Who does Cool Wheels benefit?
Cool Wheels benefits the Youth Automotive Training Center in Deerfield Beach, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that serves young people from under-resourced backgrounds. YATC was founded in 1984 by JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Founder and automotive pioneer Jim Moran to give a second chance to young people who have faced many challenges in life. YATC provides its students with marketable automotive and life skills training. Cool Wheels is a community-outreach project of YATC. Employers for YATC graduates and community partners are welcome. Please reach out to 954-428-0909 for more information.
| Award | WINNER |
|---|---|
| Coolest of Show / First Place & $1,000 Prize | Shannon Kelleher – 1965 Ford Mustang |
| Second Place & $500 Prize | Pete Rudanovich – 1930 Ford Model A |
| Third Place & $250 Prize | Pete Vasallo – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro |
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