WOMEN AND WHEELS

It was a sunny summer day in 2003, and the Mini Cooper S — a remake of one of Britain’s iconic cars — was about to make its Harlem debut. Behind the wheel of the bright, shiny, chili-red compact was Mercedes White. The Upper Manhattan Auto Show has never been the same.

White, daughter of the legendary tap dancer and Apollo Theater star Howard (Sandman) Sims, made history that day, becoming the first woman to participate in Harlem Week’s spectacular cavalcade of wheels, which features vintage and unique vehicles. She also wowed them.

“My 2003 Mini Cooper S won for Best Eco Car and for most unique, because it had just come out,” said the trailblazer, who grew up in Harlem where her father starred in the Apollo Theater in Amatuer Night and shows.

Lured to the auto show by her enthusiasm for cars, White would enjoy more success over the years, including the People’s Choice Award — the event’s top honor, voted by fans — for her Mini Cooper convertible.

The pioneering legend is now a judge in the 28-year-old show, but she still rides in the event-preceding parade through historic Harlem and displays her cars at the show’s venue on W. 135th St., between Fifth Ave. and Malcolm X Blvd.

This year’s show will be held Sunday. The pre-show parade starts 8:30 a.m. at the Duke Ellington Plaza on Fifth Ave. and 110th St. The caravan will then make its way through historic Harlem to W.135th St. between Fifth Ave. and Malcolm X Blvd. More than 100 vehicles are registered for the 28th annual show, which runs from noon to 4 p.m.

“They got tired of winning, so they made me a judge,” White said with a laugh.

Beyond her personal success, she is lauded for inspiring women to pursue an interest in the previously male-dominated show.

According to Reginald