Car Show Mania by Greg Kristapovich
Car Show Mania Hits Tuolumne!
Photos and story by Greg Kristapovich
Connoisseurs of classic cars must have been in seventh heaven on Saturday, August 15th, as not one – but two venues held simultaneous car shows! It was the “Redneck Car Show” at Dardanelles Lodge & Resort, AND the 3rd Annual Long Barn Car Show! Each show had BBQ, music and fine looking cars!
At the Long Barn show, folks shopped at craft booths and examined the many customized beauties – while Tim Fay of Touch the Stove Productions “spun” songs by Jan and Dean, the Monkees, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles and others, just perfect for a car show! The proud car owners competed in six different categories, and there was lots of excitement in the air! Here are the winners! In the Pre-‘30s division: it was a black 1926 Ford pickup, owned by Alfred Cardoza of Sonora! The 1931-1949 division: a red 1934 Dodge sedan owned by Bob Marcos of Watsonville! The 1950-1973 division had three sub-categories: First, winning the “Most Original” award was a metallic ivory 1955 Chevy Bel Air, owned by Ed Hopkins of Twain Harte! The “Most Modified” award went to a teal/white 1955 Bel Air, owned by Bob Belgard of Watsonville! The “Best of Show” winner is pictured below! The “Peoples’ Choice” award went to Sonora’s Rich Harley and his red, 1969 Shelby Mustang GT 500! Dardanelle’s Redneck car show also was pretty popular, especially with its awesome lineup of redneck trucks! (See photo). Yes Sir! There’s nothing quite like a Tuolumne County car show!
TOP: Yes, that’s a whole line of “redneck” trucks! Note the 1983 Toyota pickup (the orange one with a cage frame.) It appears to be dominating the Chevy Blazer next to it! The ’83 Toyota is owned by 15 year-old Buddy Coville of Sugar Pine! “He owns it and he built it!” Rhonda Coville (Buddy’s mother) proudly proclaimed.
Eric Mullen, 7, of Twain Harte (far right), won a free face-painting (courtesy of Krinklies the Clown) by being the first to the announcer’s table! Then, when this photographer suggested he pose in front of his favorite car, Eric ran to the 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner, owned by Dan Miller of Sonora. Eric was joined by his friend Caleb Parker and Caleb’s sister Ashlee, both of Ponderosa Hills.
Winner of the Peoples’ Choice Award at Dardanelle’s Redneck Car Show was James’ 1951 Chevy pickup, from Merced!
Billie Lawrence’s 1957 Thunderbird! Billie, of Angels Camp poses with hubby, Bill, and their shiny “Best of Show” award!
That trucks are just awesome! Especially the yellow one.
And my favorite muscle - roadrunner! Cool!
November 12th, 2009 at 4:56 am