Economy promotes classics as Beldenville Old Car Club show nears

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Economy promotes classics as old car club show nears

By Bill Kirk

American auto manufacturers’ loss is the Beldenville Old Car Club’s gain.

As vehicle brand names like Oldsmobile and Pontiac disappear from showrooms in a Detroit downsizing due to the tight economy, those past models become all the more valuable to collectors. Some of the transportation now only found in motoring history books is likely to appear at the 32nd annual Beldenville Old Car Club Show on the Pierce County Fairgrounds in Ellsworth Sunday, July 26, with gates opening at 8 a.m.

“Tell them tractors--antiques and collector models--are welcome, too,” John Losgaard of the club said, adding, “there’ll be a prize for the best.”

Planning for the yearly event occurred during a meeting at the club’s building on the fairgrounds earlier this month. Issues ranging from advertising the show on pizza delivery boxes to the destination of a cruise by members were addressed.

But a lot of what was in the works went unspoken. That’s because most club veterans handle the same jobs every year, so they know how to do them and are confident they’ll get done.

One attraction receiving meeting attention is the live music. “The Drifter, The Cowboy and The Hobo” from Emily, Minn., will play a mix of country, folk, bluegrass and light rock-n-roll tunes. Members of the group include “Cactus Willie” (nephew of famous country crooner Lester Flatt), “Boxcar Bob” and “The Drifter.”

“They’re like the acoustic folk groups of the 1950s and ‘60s,” their promotional information states, indicating they play both guitar and bass.

The event is billed as “Northwest Wisconsin’s Largest One-Day Show.” Besides the vintage tractors, the club will host a swap meet and a farm toy show, with table rent at $10 (two tables) and displays free. In addition to the 15 classes of classic vehicles, for which 78 trophies will be presented at 3 p.m., a car corral will be featured for sales. Breakfast and lunch will be available.

Read more in the print version of the Herald July 22.

Tags: pierce county, local news, car show, antiques and collectors, swap meet, farm toy show, ellsworth, beldenville, tractors