Remembering When
Author: Gerry Rodacker, Rotary Car Show Chairman
Remembering When
Gerry Rodacker
Rotary Car Show Chairman
Some people like to go hunting, do gardening or play bacchii ball. Back when I was 16, I liked cruising in my or one of my buddies marginally ancient machines. In the fifties and sixties, I was lucky because cars were simple, as was I, and you could pick up a beater for as little as $25. That’s what I paid for my first car, a 1947 Mercury coupe. It was painted green and yellow. The previous owner must have loved John Deere!
With the use of an old vibrating sander, I got it mostly clean. I didn’t remove any chrome, if I took it off, I’d never get it back on. So, I masked over it. I then found an old sprayer and painted the car black. With used whitewall tires, it didn’t look too bad. That is if you drove it at night and parked it under a dull light and saw it at 40 feet!
The engine ran. However, when starting it, the engine would backfire, and the dipstick would fly out of the engine! It was a lot of fun. When starting, the clutch would chatter, jerk, and then take off! How fun was that! My buddies and I would drive around listening to KOMA radio out of Oklahoma City listening to DJ Ray Dirkey, whom I met (many years later) doing an old time DJ show at the Civic Center in Helena, MT.
Some may prefer golf or tennis, and I say have fun. No, I haven’t progressed much since adolescence. I still like the old sound. If you see that old paunchy guy at our car show sitting by his classic, and if you take the time to visit with him, he will most likely be flattered that you find his knowledge valuable.
This is my 25th year doing the car show in Townsend and during that time I have seen many changes in what appears. The old cars are mostly gone, being replaced by late model Hot Rods, customs, and trucks. Also appearing are younger people showing their impression and design. These cars are beyond beautiful!
Some bring their old driver. It may not be perfect, but they are proud of it! It takes all kinds of vehicles to make a successful car show!
Be reminded that Sunday, October 6, is our Fall Fest Car Show. Registration begins at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 11:00 a.m. Follow the signs to register. Awards are presented at 4:00 p.m.
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PhotoCredit: Townsend Rotary
Image 1 Caption: Car Show Logo
click on link to view pdf: CarShow2024PlaqueDesign.pdf
