Home » Community » Annual Classic Car Show Motors into Oakhurst
Leann Campbell puts a shine on her 1971 Chevelle SS at the 2019 Run for the Gold Classic Car Show

Annual Classic Car Show Motors into Oakhurst

OAKHURST — A rainbow of rolling stock took center stage Saturday at The 17th Annual “Run For the Gold Classic Car Show.”

From a vintage, jet-back 1965 Cadillac convertible to a 1926 Ford Coupe, nearly 100 rare, collector cars and trucks were on display this weekend at Oakhurst Community Park.

Auto enthusiasts traveled from across California to show their vehicles — and admire their competitors’ entries — at the Run for the Gold show, which has become one of the premier annual car shows in Central California.

The event, sponsored by the Sierra Oakhurst Kiwanis Club, started Saturday at 9 a.m. and drew several hundred visitors, who set up lawn chairs or strolled the park grounds throughout the day peeking under hoods and sharing stories with fellow classic car collectors.

Entrants ranged from several sleek Corvette Stingrays and high-horsepower Ford Mustangs to a rare Studebaker Avanti.

Awards were presented for Best in Show, Best Hot Rod and People’s Choice.

The weekend’s auto-centric festivities actually kicked off Friday with a Poker Run and BBQ dinner.

All proceeds from the event, which also included music and vendor booths, went to support local schools.

Sandy Lowry and her ’65 Cadillac DeVille

James and Sandy Lowry brought their 1965 Cadillac DeVille convertible to the show.

“This is the first time it’s been on the road in 20 years,” James said while watching his wife lovingly polish the engine.

“We bought this car out of barn in Bootjack in 1992,” James said. “From top to bottom, it’s been completely customized. It’s not a muscle car or a hot rod. It’s more glamorous. It’s kind of a Hollywood car.”

Madera resident Leann Campbell was also doing some polishing Saturday. The object of her attention — and a number of other car show attendees — was a cherry red, 1971 Chevy Chevelle SS.

“It only has about 5,000 miles on it,” Campbell said. “We just don’t drive it that much. But we love taking it to shows. It’s a head-turner. And it’s a lot of fun to drive. It’s like our baby. We just love it.”

James Gardner and his 1926 Ford

James Gardner motored up Highway 41 from Fresno to enter his 1926 Ford Coupe, which was customized with a special rear gate alongside its “OLDSTER” vanity license plate.

“The rear door is what makes this car unusual,” Gardner said. “It does alright in local cars shows and was actually a finalist in a recent show in Reno. That’s why I like it. Because it’s different.”

“All of the cars here today are pretty special in their own way,” Gardner added. “Nobody comes to a car show to see regular cars.”

Leave a Reply

Sierra News Online

Sierra News Online