Corvettes, classic cars cruise into Twin Falls

Times-News Magic Valley.com: Corvettes, classic cars cruise into Twin Falls
Carburetors, horsepower and all-American sex appeal, packaged in muscle cars of the past and present, will be on full display this weekend.

The Classic Cruisers club’s annual Cool Classic Nights car show kicks off tonight with a street party in downtown Twin Falls. The Snake River Corvette Club will also be a part of the weekend, with its sports cars lined up alongside the hodgepodge of Model T’s, ’55 Chevys, El Caminos and Pontiacs from Detroit’s glory days.

“We expect about 125 classic cars and 50 Corvettes for the weekend,” said Classic Cruisers president Stacy Sommer. “Every year we begin the show with our street party downtown, which will have a DJ playing classic rock ‘n’ roll music.”

Although some car shows cater to a partying crowd, Sommer said, this one is for families.

“One of the really fun events we have every year is the pedal car race for children,” Sommer said. “We set up a little track on Main, and it is always a lot of fun for the kids and probably as much fun to watch.”

The pedal car race, during tonight’s street party, is open to children 5 and younger — as long as they fit in the cars. It’s free, and every child gets a prize.

Classic Cruisers member Josh Holt built a peddle car as part of his senior project and will raffle it off during the car show. Holt, who will be a Filer High School senior in the fall, spent the past few months getting the car ready but said the hardest part is selling tickets.

“My family has been a part of Classic Cruisers for as long as I can remember, and going to car shows has always been a family thing,” said Holt, who will debut his own rebuilt, baby-blue 1962 Mercury Comet at the show. “The club raises money for Make A Wish regularly, and it’s neat to hear about all the kids who get helped. I thought maybe I could do the same thing.”

If he sells another $120 in tickets this weekend, he’ll meet his modest $1,000 goal. The 17-year-old will sell raffle tickets at a booth at the car show and will draw the winner Sunday afternoon; tickets are $1 each or six for $5.

On the car show side, Holt looks forward to pulling behind the rest of the cars and cruising down Blue Lakes Boulevard during the Saturday-evening drive to Dairy Queen.

“I’m just excited to be there. I was awarded the youngest driver award when I first got it on the road, but it didn’t look anything like this,” he said.

Like many enthusiasts, Holt rebuilt his car with the help of other hobbyists, including his parents. To find needed or coveted parts, he browsed store shelves, websites and swap meets, like the one featured at this weekend’s car show.

One of the unique features of the Classic Cruisers car show is the addition of the Rusty Nuts Swap Meet, now in its second year. Last year Rusty Nuts lured 40 vendors and had people browsing the trailer loads of extra bumpers, high beams, rims, exhaust systems and more, said member Max Thurber.

“When you have people working on everything from Model T’s to modern-day muscle cars they need parts, and other people have them,” Thurber said. “Swaps are great places to find those hard-to-find parts you need for your project.”

Blair Koch may be reached at 316-2607 or blairkoch@magicvalley.com.