'Iron Maidens' gather in Sisters

The magic of muscle cars is as American as Paul Revere and apple pie, serving as collectible time capsules and bridging generations with their alluring spell.

Standing proudly beside her Aztec Bronze '71 Dodge Charger, Iron Maiden Donna Wolfkill recounted the tale of the family heirloom she fought for and restored to glory.

"It was my mother's car, and she bought it brand new in 1971 in Vancouver, Washington," she said. "And when she passed away, I got it. She never had a lot of money, was a waitress most of her life, but always bought big cars and this was the last one she got. I wanted to preserve it in memory of my mom."

The Saturday Cruise-In, hosted by the Iron Maidens Car Club of Central Oregon, was part of the Sisters Arts & Crafts Festival at Creekside City Park that drew sizeable summer crowds all weekend long. It was also a benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon, whose silent auctions and $10 car entry fees collected nearly $1,300 for the

charity.

"I kept the car all stock, repainted it, left the original 318-cubic-inch engine and changed the wheels and the dual exhaust," Wolfkill explained. "Everything is period-correct. I get 18 miles per gallon on the open road, and the car will be passed on to my son so it will stay in the family. My dad tried to steal the car and take it to California when my mom died, and I had to hide it until the courts settled everything and awarded it to me in 1987. My mom always said it was my car and gave me a set of keys. I drive it mostly in the summer to car shows and events, and have fun

with it."

The Iron Maidens is a funloving group of female car enthusiasts throughout Central Oregon that started seven years ago with a half-dozen ladies passionate about classic autos and having a good time. With over 50 current members and associates with their distinctive "Iron Maidens" car tags all over the country, director Nadine Katz keeps the gang low-key and

relaxed.

"This isn't really a 'club' club, we're more of a social group who all share a love of cars," said Katz. "Some of the gals, like Donna, are building or restoring cars, others just like the friendship and camaraderie it brings. We have a big variety of women and cars, and we don't have to follow any rules - and usually

don't."

The club's amusing name is derived from a few different sources: slang term for old autos, an instrument of torture during medieval times, and the famous 1980s heavy-metal rock band. They meet for a monthly dinner and attend car shows and gatherings all

summer.

The Cruise-In had only one award given out, the Mayor's Choice prize, selected by Sisters mayor Lon Kellstrom. This year the winner was Krell Teasdale's bright red, 1927 Ford "Tall-T" roadster out of Bend. Teasdale was also presented with a $50 Shell gas card, something that could come in quite handy given its thirsty V-8 motor gleaming in the

sun.

"'Classy Women, Classy Rides' is our motto," said Katz. "This is our second year here at the Arts & Crafts event and people really love it. Our members are from Bend, Sisters, Redmond and Prineville. It's all for Make-A-Wish, so we're happy to be out here raising money and having a fantastic time with our

cars."

For more information contact Nadine Katz at 541-504-1467.