Classic cars shine for the show

It was all about variety at the 11th Annual Show and Shine Rods and Classics car show at Ainsworth Field in Thompson Falls on Saturday as cars, both young and old, filled the field.

It was all about variety at the 11th Annual Show and Shine Rods and Classics car show at Ainsworth Field in Thompson Falls on Saturday as cars, both young and old, filled the field.

People from as far away as Billings, Idaho, Oregon and Washington drove the distance to put their car on display in Thomson Falls. The car show is put on by the local Car Club, a club of around 20 car enthusiasts that formed 12 years ago. They decided to sponsor the car show because of their love of cars.

The Show and Shine is the biggest event the Car Club puts on each year. The money that the car show and the Car Club raise throughout the year goes directly into the community. Car Club treasurer Dan Whittenburg said depending on how many cars show up for the show, anywhere between $1,000 to $1,500 is donated each year.

"Most of the money goes right back to the community. We don't keep much in the treasury, we just keep enough to try and get the show started the next year and that's all we do," said Whittenburg.

The Car Club usually donates their profits to local organizations. In years past, they gave money to Relay for Life and to the Sheriff's Relief Fund. This year, they are donating funds to the Cancer Network of Sanders County.

When the Car Club first brought a car show to town, around 60 cars showed up. For the past few years over 100 people came to put their cars on display. This year 126 cars were parked on the field.

The Show and Shine is a unique car show in many ways. The car show is held on grass instead of the usual pavement.

Whittenburg said they have had recurring success because drivers are given a lot of room to park their cars in the field and proud owners do not have to worry about banging doors and have plenty of room to set up shade tents next to their cars.

"It's a really neat atmosphere and a lot of cars come back year after year," said Whittenburg. "If we get 80 cars we are extremely happy, if we get 100 cars that is just great and 120 cars is just fabulous."

In addition to the grassy parking lot, the show is unique for how awards are given out. Drivers are given individual ballots and asked to vote for their five favorite cars. The car with the top votes gets a Best in Show trophy and the next ten cars with the most votes are given an award. Awards are also given for People's Choice, the Car Club's favorite car and for Best Motorcycle. The trophies were even more unique as they were crafted out of engine parts that were cleaned, welded together and color coated by Steve Taylor in Thompson Falls.

"They are beautiful trophies," said Whittenburg.

Clinton Taylor, President of the Car Club, had two cars, one a 64 Ford Galaxy 500 convertible and another a green caprice, and a motorcycle on display at the car show.

Taylor said he likes to see variety at the car shows, which is one thing that has made the Show and Shine a success year after year.

Although Taylor is biased towards Chevrolet as his father owned a dealership in Thompson Falls in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, he still enjoys the variety. His family history of being in the car business is what made Taylor interested in getting involved with the Car Club.

Taylor said in addition to the annual car show, the club is going to try to go on more "rod runs" throughout the area so the group can collectively take their cars out on the open road.

Award for Best in Show went to Joe and Kim Fuda from Alberton with their 1955 Chevrolet 210.

Chet Jackman, from Sagle, Idaho, won People's Choice with his 1934 Plymouth five-window Coupe and the Car Club's choice went to Charlie and Jean Shelor from Trout Creek with their 1965 Pontaic GTO.

Questions on this story can be directed to Reporter Danielle Switalski by e-mail at reporter@vp-mi.com or by phone 826-3402.