Classic cars flash their colors in Sisters

A dazzling array of classic cars lined the street attracting folks to Sisters' sixth annual Glory Daze Car Show on Main Avenue this past Saturday.

More than 98 vintage automobiles from rat rods to street rods, muscle cars to stock restored cars were on display with their sparkling clean engines and shiny leather seats as the early morning rays reflected off their brightly polished paint. Enthusiasts could see that the participants maintained an exceptional level of care and love for their classic vehicles.

Mick Hunter was on hand as one of the Glory Daze judges. He had the difficult job of making decisions regarding the 15 categories and who would take home a ribbon.

"Attention to detail is an important factor, and when these classic-car enthusiasts build or restore their car, they have a vision," said Hunter. "This hobby is a combination of many tastes, preferences and ideas on what are original and what makes a restoration. Either way, when you spend years of perfecting your auto, it shows."

For some folks it was a stroll down memory lane, and for others it was an exciting adventure to behold these unique autos of yesteryear.

For Ken and Carrie Lucas, it was all about the sentimental value that their bright red 1958 Pontiac Bonneville held.

"This was my mom's car with a neat story behind it," said Ken Lucas. "My mom had an older neighbor friend that she used to help out all the time by driving her to appointments, etc. One day my mom's 1956 Pontiac broke down and she couldn't help out her friend, so her friend gave her a 1958 Pontiac Bonneville that she had sitting in her garage for years because she didn't drive anymore. Mom kept it in great shape and told me that after she passed away she wanted me to have the car, so here it is in her memory. It took me seven years to restore it to the original way it was, except the color. It still has the original engine, just rebuilt."

R.C. West from KSJJ radio supplied the "oldies-but-goodies" tunes that kept folks in their blast-from-the-past mode as they ogled over vintage Corvettes or antique Fords.

Gary Baker from Sisters stood between his two classic entries as his wife, Dixie, leaned on her favorite vintage, the one he built for her 55th birthday.

"Gary built this classic 1955 Chevy pickup for my birthday since that's the year I was born, and gave it to me on my 55th birthday! This auto has a Chevy body with Corvette engine with 450 horsepower and I drive it as my everyday car," Baker said.

Gary Baker had something to say about his other classic automobile, a candy-apple-red 1956 Ford F-100:

"This used to belong to Glen Miller, president of Sisters Rodeo, and every year it was in the parade, but it still had some restoration that needed to be done to the interior. I bought it two years ago and finished restoring it for the sole purpose of getting it out so the public could really see it up close. This year it will hopefully be back in the parade with Glen's grandson riding in it again," said Baker.

Down by the chamber of commerce office, Sisters Chamber Event Coordinator Jeri Buckmann was busy helping with raffle ticket sales.

"It's been a great show and I had a lot of fun. I got a chance to walk around and see what was going on with the incredible cars. My husband, Bob, estimated was that there were about 1,500 people that strolled down Main Avenue to see the show," said Buckmann.

All the funds raised from the raffle tickets went to help support the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce Automotive/Technical Scholarship at Sisters High School.

David Childress and his wife Catherine sported a real eye-catcher - a bright purple 1934 Ford Cabriolet.

"I've had that car for eight years. I restored it to be modified; it's called a street rod because it's been customized," David Childress said. "I enjoy coming to the car show every year because Catherine and I can reunite with old friends and talk with other classic-car enthusiasts."

Right after 2 p.m. the official winners in the show's 22 categories were announced by R.C. West. Alan Melton took Best of Show for his classic 1967 Pontiac GTO.

"This GTO came out of a bunch of boxes that were sitting in an auto body shop in Eugene. I restored this classic as I reassembled it back to its original interior and exterior parts," said Melton.

Winners in other categories included: Best Interior, Dixie Baker for her 1955 Chevy pickup. Best Sportscar went to Rodger Dwight for his 1955 Chevy Corvette. And The Peoples' Choice ribbon went to David Childress for his 1934 Ford

Cabriolet.