John Bunker is looking for a few good convertibles.

For over twenty years, Bunker's job as a member of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee's Adjutant Staff has been finding convertible cars to lead the parade.

"[It] gets harder every year because they don't make the large convertibles any more," says Bunker. "It's not easy for these old Irish guys to get in the back. We need the big ones."

Parade Committee General Chairman John P. Forbes estimates that 50 convertibles are used in the parade, carrying parade officials, Catholic church leaders, politicians and visiting dignitaries. Bunker is responsible for finding 12 to 15 cars each year.

"My job is just the Grand Marshal, the bishop [of the Catholic Diocese of Savannah] and the past Grand Marshals," says Bunker. "You've got other people that handle the politicians."

Over two decades ago, Bunker was recruited for the assignment by his boss, the late George Backus.

As Sales Manager of Backus Cadillac Pontiac auto dealership, Bunker provides vehicles from the Backus new and used-car inventory for the parade, as do other local dealerships, but relies on privately owned cars volunteered for the parade each spring.

Bunker starts calling his regulars about three weeks before the parade, but recruits for cars year-round "in the service department or on the street."

As in past years, two 1976 Cadillac Eldorados will lead this year's parade. One is owned by the Backus dealership and the other by Joby Ireland, a member of the parade committee.

This year Ireland's car will be first, driving Grand Marshal Father Patrick O'Brien.

"[My car] is ivory white with a white top," says Ireland. "I purchased it about ten years ago... in Chicago from a friend of the family. I drove it down here with the top down the whole way and I've had it in the parade ever since."

The car has 62,000 miles, of which Ireland's added the last 6,000. "I only drive it about a half dozen times a year. The main time it comes out is for the parade."

Although Ireland usually drives in the number two spot, carrying Bishop J. Kevin Boland, "this year I'm moving up one vehicle," he says. As board president of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School, Ireland has worked closely with O'Brien, who retired last year as pastor of St. Peters' parish.

"I've agreed to step up one notch. I hope the bishop doesn't hold it against me."

Backus's 1976 Eldorado is "triple canary" yellow, with matching paint, interior décor and convertible top. Traditionally the first vehicle in the parade, this year it will follow Ireland's car and will carry Bishop Boland.

"That car is kind of famous," says Bunker. "It was the last '76 convertible delivered to Backus Cadillac. They said they weren't going to make any more so the company bought the car. It was never sold and still sits in our showroom now.

"The car is only used in the Veterans' parade, the St. Patrick's Day parade and occasionally the Martin Luther King parade."

Preparation begins weeks ahead for the parade cars. Ireland started last weekend, with "a good washing, checking all the fluids...and getting the rear struts serviced properly since we're putting three or four large men in the back," he says.

For convertible owners wanting to get into the parade, it's not too late. "The only restrictions we have are liability limits they have to have on the car, they can't have a carload of family members, and they can't advertise commercially on the vehicle," says parade chairman Forbes.

Contact John Bunker at (912) 354-7511 to drive your convertible in this year's St. Patrick's Day parade.