With organizers noting at least 768 classic cars from across the U.S. registered as of Saturday for the Relics and Rods 39^th 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.

John Laitinen sits in his Roadster Saturday. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“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.

Shannon Anderson poses with her car Saturday afternoon. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

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.

Dave Anderson poses with his car Saturday afternoon. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“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.

A burn out contest was held Saturday at the Run to the Sun car show. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Burn Out Competetion Photo Gallery By Ken Gallagher:

Photo Gallery by Jillian Danielson:

Photo Gallery By Rick Powell: