Rod Benders Jamboree brings cars from far and wide
Photo by DON COGGER Car enthusiasts turn out in force for the annual Borders 3 Jamboree.
Photo by DON COGGER A 1930 Ford Window Coupe, owned by Ron and Patti Moore of Salome, Arizona.
Photo by DON COGGER A 1968 Shelby KR 500 Mustang owned by Sam Picicci of Spokane, Washington.
Photo by DON COGGER The Bonners Ferry Explorers cook up burgers and hot dogs for hungry event-goers.
photo by : Stacie Short
It was a great day for vintage car enthusiasts two Saturdays ago, as cars from all over the region lined downtown Main Street for the Rod Benders’ Borders 3 Jamboree.
Nearly 200 cars were on display, and attendance was impressive, with a varied crowd enjoying the classic automobiles.
Ron and Patti Moore traveled all the way from Salome, Arizona to display their 1930 Ford Window Coupe. It was the couple’s first time at the event, and they enjoyed the experience.
“The weather couldn’t be better, and towns like this, we love it,” Ron Moore said. “We take off for about three to four months to visit different car shows, and down at home it’s 115 degrees, so this is awesome weather for us.”
Moore couldn’t praise his hosts enough, enjoying the down-home feel of Bonners Ferry.
“I love the old-town effect, the people are nice,” he said. “Those are the main ingredients of a car show.”
Asked what goes into restoring a car like his Ford, Moore said it boils down to two things.
“A lot of labor and an understanding wife,” Moore said, laughing. “You just have to be a car nut, you have to love them.”
Sam Picicci of Spokane, Washington was also attending the event for the first time, showing off his 1968 Shelby KR 500 Mustang. The car would eventually be named as one of the Top 12 entries of the event.
“The organizers really do a good job,” Picicci said. “You can’t beat it. The weather is great and the people are real friendly. The cars are just great. The best thing about these shows is getting to meet all the people and looking at the different cars.
“It’s nice to have people come up and compliment your car, it’s a good feeling.”
BEST OF SHOW
1937 Ford Coupe, Keith and Lois Dettling, Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
TOP 12 ENTRIES
• 1958 Cadillac, Don Root, Creston, British Columbia, Canada
• 1952 Buick Special Riviera, Gerry Christie, Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
• 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air, Ton and Donn Smith, Hayden, Idaho
• 1935 International Truck, Rick Blomdahl, Troy, Montana
• 1968 Shelby GT500, Sam Picicci, Spokane, Washington
• 1936 Ford Phaeton, Tom and Connie Broderick, Bonners Ferry, Idaho
• 1940 Cadillac, Wayne Barnes, Spokane, Washington
• 1964 Pontiac Bonneville, Mike Boes, Post Falls, Idaho
• 1958 Chevrolet Impala, Al Cherowka, Creston, British Columbia, Canada
• 1966 Chevrolet Nova SS, LaRoy and Vicky Dowd, Rathdrum, Idaho
• 1949 Oldsmobile, Dave and Merna Wildenberg, Spokane, Washington
• 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, Bob and Dana Hobbs, Bonners Ferry, Idaho
LONG DISTANCE AWARD
1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass, Larry and Sheila McCray, Auburn, Washington
HARD LUCK AWARD
1966 Ford Mustang, Joe Eberly
RAT ROD
1931 Ford Model A, Chance Eberly
IN PROGRESS AUTOMOBILE
1956 Ford F-100, Gerry Bliss, Bonners Ferry, Idaho