'Motor the Mountain' in McCloud: small town puts on big car show
Colorful cars decorated the grassy field at Hoo Hoo Park in McCloud Saturday during the Motor the Mountain Custom Car Show and Swap Meet.
People look under the hoods and in the windows of the classic cars, rat rods and retromods as music plays with an occasional sound of rumbling mufflers heard in the background. From the paint job, to the engine and interior, the cars are scrutinized, looked over and judged. The best of show winner will be featured on next year’s shirt.
Originally held on Main Street in McCloud five years ago, the car show moved last year to the high school grounds and this year to Hoo Hoo Park.
Sybil Stewart with the McCloud Chamber of Commerce described the Hoo Hoo Park venue as “wonderful.”
The show’s 91 entries came from all over Northern California.
“From old, old, old to muscle cars, I think it was an awesome show,” said Betty Awbrey of Montague. “My favorite was a white 1932 Ford coupe.”
Sandy Bordon, who helped put on the show, said, “We have by far the best prizes, the best cars, and the best attendance. We take the car show to the next level.”
Prizes were given out throughout the day, including gift baskets from local businesses, signed posters, and banners.
“This is cool,” said Trad Ronfeldt, who runs an off-road race team locally. “This is what this town needs. We need to make this car show bigger. My favorite car is the 1970 Challenger. It is all original. But it was close with the 1968 Camaro. Our town needs more events like this.”
Dennise Azevedo said, “It is nice that this small of a town can put on a big car show and it is free to see.”
George Martinez from Sacramento, attending the McCloud show for the first time, called it “by far one of the best shows we’ve seen.”
Proceeds from a barbecue put on by the McCloud Volunteer Fire Department will benefit the department.
2018 McCloud Motor the Mountain Custom Car Show winners
Best in Show – Bud and Nancy Miles, 1950 Mango-Tango Mercury with hydraulic lift.
Choice Awards – Gus Boldwin, 1938 Chevy; Jim McCurry, 1933 Plymouth; Randy Ives, 1970 Dodge.
Best Pick-Up – Ernie Quiring, SS Chevy Pickup
Best Original – Jon Ferguson, 1957 Ford Fairlane
Best Race Car – John Butler, 1929 Ford Roadster
Best Engine – Lloyd and Joyce Gentry, 1933 Willys Coupe
Best Custom – Brett Bring, 1932 Ford Coupe
Best Interior – Kathy Schnetzer, 1928 Chevy Sedan
Best Flames – John Clark, 1948 Chevy
Best Rat Rod – Jim Knight, 1927 Willys
Best Old Pickup – Jerry Benson, 1939 International pickup
Most Distance – Bill Silvera, 1938 Pontiac
Business awards
McCloud Heritage Junction Museum Award – Ernie Quiring, 1955 Chevy Pickup
McCloud Hotel Award – Allan Larkin, 1931 Ford Model A Pickup
McCloud Meat Market and Tavern Award – Wes Anderson, 1957 Ford T-Bird
Shasta Reflections Award – David Armstrong, 1972 GMC Truck 4X4
Shasta View Grill Award – Margorie MacDonald, 1966 Ford Fairlane
Siskiyou Brew Works Award – John Billdt, 1948 Willys Jeep
McCloud Realty Award – Sarah Boneham with her 1973 Ford Bronco
McCloud River Mercantile Award – Clint Gardner, 1930 Ford Model A Woody
Coyote St. Gym Award – Randy Ives, 1970 Dodge Challenger
White Mountain Café Award – Rick and Renee Rose with their 1955 Chevy Bel Air
Cindy Miller, one of the show’s coordinators, said, “Sybil Stewart and Jim Shudder have participated in the car show under the McCloud Alumni Association and now as members of the McCloud Chamber of Commerce. Without both of them this car show would not be possible. We would like to thank our sponsors, Willow Creek Ranch, Shasta Cascade Health, Tj’s Upholstery, Mechanics Bank, Comtec Distributing, Point S, Mt. Shasta, State Farm, Don Erickson Fuel, Heritage Junction Museum, McCloud Hotel, McCloud Meat Market and Tavern, Shasta Reflections, Shasta View Grill, Siskiyou Brew Works, McCloud Realty, McCloud River Mercantile, Coyote Street Gym, White Mountain Café, Baxter Auto Parts, Speedway Motors, Napa Auto Parts, Hagerty Classic Car Insurance, McCloud Outdoors, Clearwater Coffee & Kitchen, Wayne and Linda Williams, O’Reilly Auto Parts who donated seven trophies for the show, and Vic Kortua, without them we could not have a car show in McCloud.”
