April -19
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Ron's
Corner |
Greetings
members. As everyone is aware, we put the 1st ever “Swamp Rat”
Rod Extravaganza in the VSRA-USA annals. To those that attended – A HEART FELT
THANK YOU! To those who didn't –
you missed a fun one!
The Florida
weather lived up to its reputation as it was a sunny and pleasant weekend. Temps
in the low to mid 80s with a breeze all day.
We had
entries from several states and a great variety of vehicles. Several
photographers were there and have posted pictures and videos on Facebook as well
as YouTube. So you can check them out and see what you missed.
Mr. Don
“Big Daddy” Garlits was around most of the time enjoying the cars and
meeting people. He pulled his 1940 Ford Convertible (on the t-shirt) out and
parked it beside the yellow 32 ford (also on the shirt) on Saturday and Sunday
for all to enjoy.
The swap meet
area was well visited and contained many treasures not easily found! There were
homemade items, some vintage stuff as well as just plain interesting things that
were among the offerings.
The Saturday
entertainment was well attended and fun. Impersonator Wesley Presley opened from
6 to 7 p.m., was followed by the Florida Roundabouts playing 50s, 60s and some
70s tunes as well as a few country hits until 10 p.m.
Mr. Garlits
also opened his garage for visitors to meet him and get him to sign various
items and get pictures with him. His stories made the trip to Florida worthwhile
even without the show! Many thank you's to the entire staff at the Don Garlits
Museum for their assistance all weekend long.
He opened his
garage for visitors to meet him and get him to sign various items and get
pictures with him. His stories made the trip to Florida worthwhile even without
the show! Many thanks go to the entire staff at the Don Garlits Museum for their
assistance all weekend long.
Sunday
morning was beautiful, finding street rodders were back and having fun. The
church service was well attended, and we appreciate that. Although we had some
technical problems with our sound equipment for the Salute to our veterans, we
finally got to honor them Sunday around 12:30. Thanks to all of our military,
past, present and future! GOD bless you all.
A special
debt of gratitude goes to some of our amazing club members that stepped up to
with some badly needed help –especially the ladies. Both women and men power
were needed to handle the various behind-the-scenes tasks like registration and
merchandise sales. Thank you to those who helped as the events could not happen
without you!
The new
method of picking award recipients was well received. Voting by the participants
on their personal “favorite” vehicles meant a lot to those chosen as
winners.
Garlits was
gracious enough to make a personal favorite pick and he resented his winner a
special trophy stating that it was his favorite. As he honored the winner he
also gave us a story of why he chose that car. The winner was Mr. Paul Marcotte
of Ill. in his 1940 Ford convertible. Truly a fantastic street rod.
Big Daddy
then explained the story behind his own '40 Ford ragtop. Seems after waiting 30
years to acquire it, the car was too far gone for a restoration project so he
had his people re-create his first 40 Ford custom !! We are glad they did.
Show award
winners are listed below and we offer our deep congratulations to each one of
them.
FAVORITE VOTE GETTERS
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Favorite
Coupe – Larry Teal – 38 Ford |
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Favorite
Sedan – Bob West – 39 Chevy |
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Favorite
Fat Fender – Mark Leary – 36 Plymouth |
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Favorite
Chopped – Herb Winner – 34 Ford |
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Favorite
Hot Rod – Robert Schmate – 32 Ford |
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Favorite
Open – Johnson Davis – 48 Mercury |
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Favorite
Truck – Don Pearson – 46 Chevy P U |
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Favorite
Commercial – Dob Synder – 34 Ford P U |
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Favorite
Rat Rod – Mel Wilson – 48 F1 Ford |
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Favorite
Traditional – John Holm – 36 Ford |
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Favorite
Wild Thing – Dan Doubrava – 35 Chevy |
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Ladies
Choice – Paul Marcotte – 40 Ford Convertible |
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Long
Distance award – Paul Marcotte – 40 Ford – 1234 miles |
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Hard
Luck award - Jim Davis – 36 Packard – Broken windshield |
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Big
Daddy Don Garlits Pick & feature car award Paul Marcotte 1940 Ford
Convertible!! |
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Ok, so what's
next? I will begin work on a single day event in Ohio and see if I can get
something fun put together. Also, in the mix is finishing the details on the
Maggie Valley, N.C. “Smokin’ Rods in the Smokies” fall show. I should have
art work, applications and some details by next newsletter.
We still have
some t-shirts from the Swamp Rat run available so if you missed the show you can
still wear the colors and support VSRA by purchasing a shirt for $18 plus $5
shipping.
Several
members have called about renewal dues. Jim & Debbie Bledsoe are handling
that and will send you a notice when your dues are necessary.
As we grow
thru memberships and merchandise sales we can do more for our members via
benefits and outings. We are staying true to our roots by remaining a chartered
pre-49 organization. So if that's what you like, support us by recruiting
members, attending our events and renewing your membership.
Well
that's enough from me this month! Let's
have a great and safe season of street rodding this year. Your Antique
(and somewhat forgetful) Teenager Ron Goben
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Jim's
Corner |
2019 Vintage Rod
Tour
The 2019 Vintage Rod Tour will be from
July 15 to July 20. We will be touring the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline
Drive. The following is our schedule.
Please let us know if you are planning on going so we can provide you
with a Vintage Rod Tour sticker for your car. The stickers have been
ordered and should be ready very soon so when you have decided for sure that you
are going, let me know at 423-571-6430 and I will send you a sticker for your
car. When reserving your room, ask for the Vintage Rod Tour block to get
our rate. Some of the rooms are sort
of pricey but the average for the whole trip is $109 per night.
▪ Monday July 15th Meet in Cherokee, North Carolina at the Super 8 by Wyndham $76.49 -
$85.49 The higher rooms
are Suites. They did not have enough
regular rooms. 828-554-1281
▪ Tuesday July 16th Travel to The Switzerland Inn in Little Switzerland $139
828-765-2153 135 miles
▪ Wednesday July 17th Travel to the Hampton Inn in Mt. Airy $109 336-789-5999
150 miles
▪ Thursday July 18th Travel to the Comfort Inn in Roanoke, Va. $65 540-527-2020 100
miles
▪ Friday July 19th Travel to the Best Western Plus in Waynesboro. Va. $125 540-942-1100
120 miles
▪ Saturday July 20th Travel to the Holiday Inn Express in Winchester, Va. $99 540-667-7050
105 miles Front Royal,
Va. is the end of Skyline Drive but hotels in Front Royal were very expensive.
Winchester is only 20 min. away.
Some of the points of interest are as follows:
- Mt. Mitchell (highest point east of the Mississippi River)
- Mt. Airy (Andy Griffith's hometown)
- Mabry Mill
- Minerals Museum
- Blue Ridge Music Center
- Meadows of Dan
- Woods Brothers Racing Museum
- National D-Day Memorial
- Linn Cove Viaduct
- Peeks of Otter
- Many other lookouts along the parkway.
