Car show serves up dozens of shiny classics

Neil Knight, his sons Luke and Casey, are dwarfed by their modified

1952 Willys Jeep.

Car lovers from all across the country drew enjoyment and inspiration from the 12th annual Custom Hot Rod and Classic Car Show, staged in Sisters last weekend.

Customs Northwest Car Club Central Oregon representatives Dick and Nati Sadler (from Sisters) explained, "We have cars from all over. We even registered someone from Pennsylvania.

"Registration is down a little this year, due to the weather (cool, with a chance of rain), but we have cars as new as 2001 models to almost as far back as you can get."

"We have over 150 cars registered here this weekend," club secretary Kathy Cummins noted.

One attractive feature of this particular show is the open-ended nature of the event. Hot rods, which are known for speed are welcome, as are rebuilt and restored classic cars.

Those who came to view the cars included Gail Jones of Bend, who remarked, "my husband is a car aficionado -- we've got several late-model Cadillacs, and he's working on restoring a '55 Caddy convertible in the garage. I like the colors here -- the paint jobs and the flames are cool."

Her husband, Gaylan agreed.

"You come to a car show like this, and it motivates you to go home and get to work, and get it done," he said.

Ron Orlando, a local mechanic, appreciated the craftsmanship involved in these machines.

"There are a lot of high-dollar cars here," he said.

A.J. Tripp, a Sisters High youth, maintained, "I love cars, especially the old body styles."

Each car has a story behind it, as they have been tricked-out, shined-up and look better than the day they came off the assembly line.

One vehicle that drew considerable attention was a 1952 Willys Jeep, owned by Neil Knight of Cornelius, Oregon.

"I tried to enter my vehicle in a show in the Bay Area, but they refused me, because they don't like trucks. So, I got in at a show in Sacramento, and took home four awards," he said.

"Then, I took four more awards at the show in Portland, including Most Outstanding Truck. After Sisters, I'm going to Hot August Nights in Reno."

As a four-wheel-drive vehicle, his rig was something of a novelty at a hot rod and classic car show.

"I did the work myself, except the rear axle and the upholstery," commented Knight, who by trade is a body and paint man.

The Jeep is raised, but that's no problem -- a battery-powered step ladder lowers to allow entry. A lighted undercarriage brightens up the night. By remote control, the rear axle rotates (for tight cornering), and the hood raises and lowers.

The engine is a 1970 Ford 429.

"It's taken me 20 years to rebuild this Jeep," Knight said. I think the Ford 460 is a better engine, but this was all I had when I started the process."

Interior features include a color TV in the overhead console, a power moon roof (from an old Audi), power windows, and a state of the art stereo/CD system.

The exterior panels he painted personally.

Depicted are scenes from one of the books belonging to his children -- Bambi -- with a few artistic additions. Bambi and his forest friends are shown wearing black leather biker hats and spiked arm bands.

As pretty as it is, the Jeep is a working vehicle.

"I use it for more than show," says Knight. "I also use it for recreation. I take it to the dunes it can go over a few obstacles.

"Although, I recently broke a rear axle because it wasn't tempered.

"But, you can't take a 20-year-old axle back and say 'this was a piece of junk.' You just have to deal with it yourself."