Guest Blog words and photos by Kirk Gerbracht; doubleclick on any photo to see it full screen
Just blocks away from downtown Jacksonville, Oregon with its 100-plus buildings on the National Registry of Historic Landmarks, its three-month long Peter Britt music festival, wineries, first class restaurants, and quaint shops, the Rogue Valley Corvettes Club held its 13th Annual Fall Classic Car Show.
Founded in 2006, Rogue Valley Corvettes is dedicated to the enjoyment of America’s famous two-seater, and community service. And you can’t say for a minute that this club profiles or discriminates against automotive enthusiasts of any stripe.
Mustangs at a Corvette Club show? You bet, all welcome…come one come all
From a group such as this, you wouldn’t be out of place to expect an all Corvette event. Not so here; since this deal is for charity and to celebrate everyone’s love of cars, so it’s Run What Ya Brung. The show has become somewhat of a staple in Southern Oregon, as every September, the Club assembles around 200 cars for a car show fund raiser — with all makes and models of cars and trucks encouraged to participate. The Ford footprint, by way of example was particularly commendable, including a pair of big banger Shelby Mustangs, they being a ’69 G.T. 500 and a black-and-gold ’66 G.T.350H, plus a variety of hot rods, some mid-50s two-seater Thunderbirds, Ford trucks, an eyecatching ’56 Ford Victoria, and a brilliantly orange ’69 Mercury Cougar Eliminator. Plus a couple very cool Falcons and early Rancheros, a rare ’68 Mustang Cal Special, and a 351-Cleveland powered DeTomaso Pantera. Not to mention a wide variety of Studebakers, Dodges, Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs, Mercedes-Benz, Mercurys, VWs and you-name-its.
The Club/event coordinates the support of sponsors (80+), local and otherwise, for a colorful day of great cars and trucks, music, food, vendors, raffle prizes, and trophies, all to benefit a highly worthwhile charity: The Club’s charity of choice focuses on high school communities — SkillsUSA brings high school students, teachers, and industry together, with educational programs, technical events and competitions, scholarships, and support for trades skills education in America’s schools. Founded in 1965, SkillsUSA (www.SkillsUSA.org) has a membership of over 395,000 students and teachers.
Rogue Valley Corvettes with its approximately 100 members has donated over $100,000 in past years to SkillsUSA to help ensure our country has a skilled workforce for the future. The Club has also contributed thousands of dollars, goods and services to many other charitable causes in Southern Oregon. In addition to its Fall Classic, the club supports the Medford (OR) Cruise and the Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show.
Corvette Trivia for you: even though this XLR is badged a Cadillac and runs a pure Cadillac Northstar V-8, a great deal of its underlying chassis architecture stems from the C5 series of Corvette
Club members cars span 65 years of Corvette history, and they regularly participate with other clubs throughout the region to support the car culture, and events up and down the West coast. Lean more at www.roguevalleycorvettes.com for more information.
Please don’t leave; lots more photos just below…
Some say :ain’t no ride like a Low Ride:” other than its obviously lowered ride height, this ’62 Coupe de Ville looked showroom fresh to us
Big gunner GT500 among the more engaging Mustangs on display this day
Look, proof we can all get along, as this fab ’56 Ford spends the day next to a similarly liveried Chevy of the same year
OK the “Snowflake” nickname is a little corny, but what’s a car show without a Baby Bird?
A nicely built flattie in a traditional hot rod is never wrong
Granted, not a 4-4-2, but I’d happily drive this immaculate ’71 Cutlass Supreme convertible anywhere
MoPars? Sure, got them too, like this properly orange ’70 Road Gunner
The stillborn Shelby Mustang notchback ultimately became the fabulous ’68 Mustang GT California Special (GT/CS)
Rear view of this Cal Special shows how many Shelby components and design cues this notchback, one-year-only model Mustang contained
There were no AMG model Mercedes yet when this fabulous 300SE Cabriolet was built, which doesn’t make it any less cool or rare
Several great special edition Mercury Cougars built from 1968-70, and this ’69 Eliminator is among them
Presentation counts for a lot at a car show, and this one is fun, cool and informative without being over the top
Not everyone agrees that classic station wagons are cool, but I’ve got room in my driveway for this charming Studebaker Lark wagon all day long