Classic cars attract crowds

BONNERS FERRY — Saturday marked the 18th annual Border 3 Jamboree Car Show, put on by the Rod Benders Car Club. The event was sponsored by more than 40 businesses around Bonners Ferry. There were cars from Boundary County, Bonner County, Montana and Canada, here to gleam in the sun for everyone to enjoy.

Attendees enjoyed games, including Hula Hoop and Limbo contests, and food from the Badger Cheerleading Squad, Simple Simon’s Pizza, The Rusty Moose, Mugsy’s Tavern and Grill and Mi Pueblo.

Announcer Dan Young kept things lively and fun as the celebration kicked off. Young was also the announcer at the street dance at Lost in the 50s, making this year his 24th street dance.

“I love seeing the small towns come together,” Young said. “I have pictures of past years with kids in them and I get to see them now as adults with families of their own. It’s really neat to see that.”

In the car show there were not just old model cars, but a few newer ones as well such as the 1999 Ford Mustang GT 500 owned by Roger Shawgo. There were many cars that were built or rebuilt and refurbished. Several had scrapbooks showcasing the project with before, during and after photos.

There were also some cars that were bought after their rebuilds, such as the 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air owned by Angi and Art Pankey. “I found the car in the Missoula newspaper and drove out to the country to get it,” Art Pankey said. “The guy had to get rid of the car because his dad purchased him a 1963 Lincoln Continental with suicide doors, so I bought it.”

Rat Rods are a popular vehicle style and the owners enjoyed getting creative with them. A Rat Rod is a rusty, antiquated, yet souped up hot rod, usually a medley of assembled parts. Several Rat Rods at the show sported unusual hood ornaments, including one with a rat and another with an onion on the air filter, highlighting its Dirty Onion theme, among other creative additions.

The Dirty Onion, owned by Chance Eberly, began life as a 1931 Ford Model A, while Eric Rouse’s Rat started as a 1946 Jeep Weilyn CJ2A. The Jeep Rat was built and themed as a tribute to military family members.

“The Jeep originally came out of a guy’s field here in Bonners Ferry,“ Rouse said. “The theme behind it is it’s a tribute to my grandpa and my wife’s grandpa. So it had photos of family members. It’s got my grandpa’s dog tag numbers on it and that’s the idea behind it.” The detailed painted army helmet on the engine of the rat was the crowning touch.

There was a multitude of fine vehicles in attendance at the Jamboree this year, each unique and special, showcasing the love the owners and builders put into these cars. The support from the sponsors and the community reflected in the cheerful faces of those that attended.

“I thought it was awesome. It was my first time going,“ said Timothy Jones. “And I liked seeing all the cool and old cars that people put a lot of time and money into.”