With organizers noting at least 768 classic cars from across the U.S. registered as of Saturday for the Relics and Rods 39th annual Run to the Sun car show, it was business as usual among contestants at the show and shine.
“We were here last year and we had a rip of a good time,” said John Laitinen, 74, of Castle Rock, Colo.
THE FORD ROADSTER
Laitinen brought his 1927 Ford Sport Roadster, all custom- fabricated. The machine was built over four years out of a box trailer in Salem, Ore., as Laitinen cared for his ailing mother.
“I got the rusted body out of the woods,” he said. “The custom paint job has 450 man hours into it.”
The customization had Laitinen working to round out the hood nose from a Yamaha motorcycle gas tank.
Laitinen is the father of locally infamous custom hot-rod guru, Scott Laitinen, of Scott’s Insane Customs, or SIC Chops, which is based in Havasu. Scott, an award-winning custom-car builder, was busy under the hood of yet another master piece working this weekend in order to meet his deadline for a California-based car show and was unable to attend Run to the Sun. Usually, he can’t stay away.
THE 1953 “BABY DOLL” FORD
Shannon Anderson, of Canyon Lake, Calif., traveled with her husband Dave and their car club Thirteen Saints.
“We like to actually drive our cars here,” Shannon said.
The Anderson’s had his-and-hers show cars registered in Run to the Sun.
In its first year on display, Shannon’s 1953 Ford Customline, painted Pearl White with a high-flake silver top really was turning some heads.
“It was a complete junker with primer and red spray-paint” Dave said. “The seat covers were those Mexican blankets.”
The couple commissioned the rebuild and the wait was about one year. The car debuted at Rockabilly Reunion 2016 in February, right here in Lake Havasu City, and won the People’s Choice award there. Furthermore, the 1953, named “Baby Doll”, was featured with a pinup model in a 2017 calendar that was produced to raise awareness and funding for breast cancer survivors.
THE NOSTALGIC HOT ROD
On the other hand, Dave’s car at Run to the Sun was a 1933 Dodge five-window, chopped, channeled, and highly modified – making it his very own nostalgic hot rod.
“We love Havasu,” the couple said. “We’re here a couple times a month anyways with our old cars, it’s always an adventure and it’s a great drive.”
The Thirteen Saints is a very exclusive club, with only 13 original plaques in existence. The plaques are affixed to the car club member’s car and, they’re only presented to the upmost worthy associate members therefore, making them full-fledged club members.
Look for the Anderson’s “Baby Doll” and nostalgic hot rod at Rockabilly Reunion 2017 this next February, they’re planning to attend, they said.
The show and shine Saturday was at Bridgewater Links Golf Course, near Rotary Park in Lake Havasu City. The show kicked off Thursday during a “Cruise In” event on McCulloch Boulevard. It also included a show and shine Friday, dinner and dance Friday night, ladies fashion show Saturday morning, and a second show and shine Saturday with more excitement during a burn out competition. The mega car show is set to wrap up at 9 a.m. Sunday morning with a parade down McCulloch’s downtown district.
Burn Out Competetion Photo Gallery By Ken Gallagher:
- Kinda hard to get a clear shot thru the safety cages. A crowd pleaser, nonetheless. Ken Gallagher/RiverScene
- This young man and his dad, about to burn it down, in their 56 Chevy. Ken Gallagher/RiverScene
- This little red Falcon could smoke some tires. Ken Gallagher/RiverScene
- Hope Relics and Rods Car Club has masks for these guys next year. Ken Gallagher/RiverScene
- This 63 Impala could smoke some tires!! Ken Gallagher/RiverScene
- Hope they get Kenny a gas mask for next year!! Ken Gallagher/RiverScene
Photo Gallery by Jillian Danielson:
- Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
- Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
- Jillian Danielson/RiveScene
- Ms. Havasu Senior runner up Ann Archer and Ms. Havasu Senior Sue Marchbank pose for a photo at the Run to the Sun Car show Saturday. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
- A view of the Run to the Sun car show Saturday from Dean Baker’s hot air balloon. 2016 Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
- A burn out contest was held Saturday at the Run to the Sun car show. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
- The burn out contest on Saturday at the Run to the Sun car show. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
- The burn out contest on Saturday at the Run to the Sun car show. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
- Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Photo Gallery By Rick Powell:
- Rick Powell/RiverScene
- Rick Powell/RiverScene
- Rick Powell/RiverScene
- Rick Powell/RiverScene
- Rick Powell/RiverScene
- Rick Powell/RiverScene
- Rick Powell/RiverScene
- Rick Powell/RiverScene
- Rick Powell/RiverScene
Awesome pictures and articles from our Run to The Sun. Thank you for your coverage!