The 48th annual “Run to the Sun” car show finished up, and by all visual indications, it was another huge success. Hot Rod cars and trucks from various states were present, although significant Canadian entries were absent.
My wife and I have randomly attended for 40-plus years, both as spectators and as entrants with our 1950 Chevrolet pickup. This year, with the old Chevy on the sidelines undergoing needed upgrades, we were looky-loos.
Joleen and I enjoyed watching the large, lively crowd, with young and old alike taking part, and we heard that Thursday night on McCulloch Boulevard was no exception. According to friends, turnout was huge.
Unfortunately, a few more veteran car club members were absent this year, and it’s a bit sad, at least to me. I don’t know all the names, but I can quickly recall Wally, Bob, Dennis, Ted, George, Chuck, Ed, and Don. I remember their vehicles best.
An older guy always parked near the original main entrance, and he drove a bright orange Henry J gasser sedan. He was a friendly older fellow and parked in the same spot year after year. I observed him cruise this loud, high-horsepower beast around town several times.
After talking with someone who knew Chuck, I learned he’d passed on. Jerry Crowe said the same held true for a gentleman who owned a glossy black ’32 Ford Deuce Coupe with a supercharged Hemi, dual magnetos, and 16 spark plugs. That was perhaps my favorite ride.
Lead Sleds are becoming increasingly rare to see, as the older crowd appreciates them more than anyone, and that group of fans is shrinking as well. A sizable number of custom and lowered vehicles have driven off into the Arizona sun and are permanently parked in places unknown.
In vintage westerns, cowboys often rode away in a cloud of dust at the end of a movie, waving to loved ones with tears in their eyes. The same holds true for carboys and cargirls at “Run to the Sun.”
Many will return, yet sadly, some won’t. These are the ones driving their steel ponies into the setting sun, leaving a cloud of white-and-blue tire smoke behind them, never to be seen again.
Hopefully, a younger generation of hot rod enthusiasts comes along to fill these empty shoes.
