Classic cars roll in big bucks

Published 3:00 pm Wednesday, September 6, 2006

PORT GAMBLE — Children weaved in and out of chrome work, dodging gorgeous paint jobs and pointing out antique cars to their adult counterparts as the car owners looked on. The classic car show, put on Sunday by the Early Irons Car Club, rolled in sweet rides for the second year in a row to benefit those kids.

This year, the non-juried car show at Port Gamble brought in about 250 vehicles of all shapes, sizes and paint jobs, said Early Irons Event Chairwoman Peggy Orbea. Each car owner paid a $20 entry fee, all of which went to the North Kitsap Boys & Girls Club.

“There were a lot of people there,” Orbea said. “I was very pleased with how the car show turned out. The food vendors were busy, from what they said to me. The silent auction went over really well.”

The auction was a new addition this year, and mixed with the chrome and polished shines, helped bring in about $7,500 for the kids’ program. Most of the attendees, however, were simply caught up in which car was the coolest.

“I like the 1930s style of car,” said Redmond resident Blair Goodrow. “They have a few of those here, and they’re pretty cool looking.”

“I like the (Volkswagon) Bug,” added 7-year-old Madelyn Goodrow.

“Yeah, these guys like the souped up cars,” Goodrow said, adding that Madelyn and 7-year-old Zach Goodrow were both nutty over the flashy paint jobs and big engines.

Ten children from the NKBGC were revved up to do their part in picking their favorite classic auto. For the second year, the club was invited to select the best cars, at least by their standards, which had a lot to do with paint job and body lines, and little to do with what kind of car it was, how rare, or how much money and body work went into it.

“One (child) picked the 1969 Chevelle,” Orbea said. “Another picked the Cobra we had here.”

Winning a trophy was the last thing on many car owners’ minds as they sat out in the heat, with the sights of Port Gamble and the smell of hot dogs and hamburgers in the air.

“The day is going really good, I’m having a good time,” said Seattle resident and car owner Leroy Stumpf, adding that he attended the 2005 show. “There are nice cars in this nice town. I’m having a great time here today. I’ll absolutely be back next year.”

“My favorite car is the ‘54 Coupe, which is mine,” joked Brownsville resident Lee Speed as he surveyed the rows of shining cars. “There are a lot of nice cars here today. Not a chance mine will win a trophy.”

The day also held a surprise for one lucky raffle ticket holder. The Kingston Kiwanis, who all summer have been selling raffle tickets, finally drew the winner of the cherry red 1966 Ford Mustang. The raffle brought in about $13,000 for the NKBGC and went to Port Orchard resident Marvin Barnum.

“He was really excited,” said NKBGC Chairman Dan Price. “He had just bought his five tickets that morning at the car show.”

Barnum will officially receive the car Thursday morning at the Kiwanis weekly meeting.