Quality and quantity reign at Historic Montesano Car Show

It felt a little bit like a Southern summer day on Saturday, with high heat, some definite humidity and no clouds in sight.

The weather in Montesano and the beauties in sight — classic cars that included Ford Model A’s, Packards, shiny trucks, El Caminos, “true” Cadillacs — as one person said, and other classic automobiles from about 50 years to 100-year-old cars that lined the streets for the Historic Montesano Car Show — conjured up thoughts of the unparalleled artistry of Stevie Ray Vaughan, who was born, raised, and lived in Texas.

Why? His rhythmic playing of the guitar melded with his complex leads in one of many of his classic songs “Pride and Joy”, works seamless with this subject. You’re dealing with people’s prides and joy. You’re dealing with their “sweet little babies”, and if you mess with their cars “you’ll see a man get mean.” Or in Sue Schorn’s case, she owns a pristinely painted and waxed 1957 Ford Thunderbird. After working for decades in order to celebrate her retirement, there’s no doubt she’d certainly fight for her auto’s honor.

Another mesmerizing entry was a white 1961 Studebaker Hawk with silver trim. That “sweet little thing” looked flawless — hand-washed and waxed to perfection. One of only 3,661 produced, according to the card signed by Kenny and Kathy Durkee, it’s a shame there weren’t more of them on the road. It was one of many that was worth it for people to stop and stare. The Durkees, from Renton, aptly named it “Truly Scrumptious.”

Taking the country roads

Shawn Shay, of Tacoma, owner of one of the shiniest engines along Main Street, couldn’t pinpoint what he loves most about his 1972 Pontiac Sprint. All he knows is his love of the 52-year-old Pontiac, as Vaughan wrote in his song, “won’t never grow old.”

“I’ve had it 25 years,” Shay said as he tried picking the engine as his favorite feature. “I built it the way I wanted it to be. It’s hard to break it down to one thing. After 25 years, it is a part of the family.”

Shay doesn’t like to drive it on Interstate 5. He prefers to drive away from the interstate. And yes, it rips up and down the hills and valleys, and it handles those curvy, country roads with ease.

Montesano’s show was the first one Craig Zora had ever been to.

“It’s cool to walk down and see all the cars,” Zora said as he gawked at the shiny toys. “There isn’t one that’s stood out the most.”

Well, that’s the point of the show. Bring your vintage piece that you give your “heart and soul” to as you shammy and wax it for hours under the hot sun ahead of the third weekend of July, same time every year, to downtown Montesano. One person won more than $400. In a raffle. You could, too. That doesn’t even include the endorphins released when people offer their visceral reactions once they exclaim “Oh yeah” upon spotting your car.

A lot to do

Also, it’s a chance to have an especially hot, hot dog, plus chips and a drink in order to help Montesano School District. And if you’re experiencing car fatigue, check out the various vendors over on Marcy Avenue West, where people such as Vicky Marler — she sold reclaimed wood with vintage coffee bags and potato bags for her shop Imperfect Perfections, and Sonya Madison — who was selling hand-crocheted hats and other colorful crocheted items for her business Sonya Dee’s Knotty Crochet.

And if the children need to let off some steam, head a block over to Pioneer Avenue West, where JUMP! Party Rentals set up bouncy castles. And in front of Whitney’s Chevrolet, on 1st Street South, Grays Harbor Fire District 2 had their ladder truck all set up.

Record year

On Saturday, there were 280 prides and joy at the show that may or may not have the potential to be “givin’ sight to the blind.” That number eclipsed the 279 cars in 2023. The last five years, the number of cars and trucks has increased.

And just as Marler promised, “you’re gonna see a lot of pretty cars,” she was proven right.

Mayta Mahaulu, who’s married to the 2024 Historic Montesano Car Show’s Participant’s Choice winner Keith Mahaulu, for a 1934 Ford Cabriolet that has aged “like the finest wine,” offered her thoughts about the day’s events.

“This is a really nice car show,” Mayta said. “We love it. It’s our fifth time here from the Kitsap Car Club. We love (this car show) because it does a lot for the community.”

In addition to the Mahaulu couple’s award winner, there were 56 other award winners. There were eight “in memory awards,” which was full of nearly all Chevrolets. And then there were 44 sponsored awards, where businesses from all over the Harbor could sponsor an automobile. All 57 award winners came home with a lot of recognition and a photo with Miss Grays Harbor herself — Joslyn Williams.

And then there were the top awards, in addition to Mahaulu’s Participant’s Choice award:

• People’s Choice — Ken and Marilyn Mills, who own a 1949 Studebaker pick-up

• Fire Chief Award — Gerald Peterson — 1949 Cadillac Convertible

• Police Chief Award — Shane Flemetis, who owns a 1966 Chevy Chevelle SS

• Mayor Award — Mike Murphy, who owns a 1964 Chevy C-10

Quite the story

Another well-aged vintage automobile, a 1932 Ford 5-Window, put Jim Marsik, of Shelton, in a great mood Saturday afternoon. Marsik’s “deuce coupe” was built at Austin Speed Shop in Austin, Texas.

“I’ve had it for about three years,” said Marsik, a United States Air Force veteran. “I couldn’t afford chrome as a kid. When I saw American Graffiti, I wanted something like this.”

Marsik’s black Ford with flames covering the hood has gone through a lot of mechanic work.

“It has a new engine, transmission, radiator, floor shift, you name it,” Marsik said. “It’s got air conditioning, a radio, and everything else just like a regular car. I’ve not even turned on the radio.”

According to Marsik, the car’s engine is a little loud to hear his phone ringer sound. There goes the hope of hearing music as he drives, songs such as Steppenwolf’s “Born to be Wild,” and many other period-appropriate songs playing at the show.

Marsik, who’s worked with NASA, talked about how his wife, while she was alive, always wanted a 1955 Chevy, since they were both born in 1955. However, for Jim, his eye was on the sort of car that would make comedian and actor Tim Allen go “argh!”

Surprisingly, no drool

Speaking of that caveman sound, a 1966 Shelby Cobra with the 427 engine earned that sort of reaction. The dark blue paint glistened in the sunshine. Its white stripes that adorned the car somehow improved upon the classic race car.

Tracy Peterson, owner of the 1966 Shelby Cobra, knew he was in good company as his car was parked several feet away from the 1949 Cadillac convertible his dad Gerald was showcasing. Tracy talked about his favorite part of owning such a stunning “sweet little thing,” his “pride and joy.”

“On a hot day like this, rolling down the road,” said Peterson, who was attending his first car show on Saturday. “The breeze is going and (the Shelby) accelerates like hell.”

Peterson was glad to be in front of the Grays Harbor County Courthouse. He was especially glad to be near his dad.

“Dad came here, and now, we have both cars together,” Peterson said. “It’s fun for both of us.”

Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.

Matthew N. Wells / The Daily World Tracy Peterson’s 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 may not have left with an award, but it received a visceral reaction as someone said “oh yeah” as they approached the race car. Peterson was happy to be several feet from his father, Gerald Peterson, who won the Fire Chief Award for his 1949 Cadillac Convertible.

Matthew N. Wells / The Daily World The Historic Montesano Car Show saw so many people, of all ages, arrive in droves. The show, which went from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., couldn’t have happened on a nicer day as people commented how the weather was beautiful. And as Vicky Marler, a vendor over on Marcy Avenue West, said, “You’re gonna see a lot of pretty cars.” She wasn’t wrong, and if anything she understated.