I’m proud to say I’ve been involved with this show since its barest beginnings just five years ago, and a small yet mighty volunteer Committee continues to innovate and improve this highly worthwhile Automotive Experience, as they call it. Things that helped this year were no local Southern Oregon wildfires as was the case a few years back, and no residual negative impact from the Covid pandemic. A more tangible, highly visible and worthwhile improvement came in the form of a new location on the sprawling Medford, Oregon Rogue Valley Country Club property. This new, tree dotted spot, replete with a stream running along one side, really let the field spread out, without looking either thin or wispy, nor crowded. This year’s show also offered the largest field yet, with something around 120 cars on display.
Each year’s show has involved a charity aspect, and 2024’s dedicate charity is called Sparrow Clubs USA. The notion behind it is to empower and involve kids to support and assist other kids that are medically challenged through friendship, compassion, kindness, and sponsored community service. A superbly worthy organization. Several “Sparrow” ambassador kids were on hand to choose their own favorite from among the field. It should surprise nobody that the kids unanimously landed on a TESLA CyberTruck — no matter your own feelings about this individualistcally styled vehicle, its many whiz-bang tech features, cameras, screens and noises made it an instant young crowd favorite.
This award winner was of no surprise to anyone, as the Sparrow Ambassadors went bonkers for this out of this world CyberTruck
A big check for a most deserving cause
The show committee this year chose to assemble a special dedicate marque class, and this year’s marque choice was Porsche, anything from the oldest 356s to newer 911s and Taycans. It was my particular privilege to be designated as the singular Porsche class judge to select the car that best represented a combination of historical significance, quality of presentation, and varying combinations of engineering excellence, originality, motorsport success (if applicable), and all-around Wow Factor. With more than two dozen outstanding Porsches of all stripes entered in the show; it was pretty easy to whittle down to a top three or top five, but the cut from there was mentally anguishing, as any of those top machines would have handily represented Porsche and the event well in terms of the selection criteria. Ultimately, the perfect choice rose to the top…
One of the Founding Fathers of Porsche 911 Racing, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Sherwood’s, immaculate and highly original 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring. Yum
RS Burzel/Ducktail, proper Fuchs alloys, searing Orange Paint, and period perfect graphics made this the mac daddy Porsche on this day
Beyond that, everyone enjoyed and appreciated the depth, breadth, variety, and quality of the field, which ran the gamut from early 1900s Model Ts and Model As, to hot rods, to import brand sports cars and sedans, exotics, muscle, SUVs, and some handsomely restored classic pickups and yes, – tow trucks. Again, something for everyone. The awards process was straightforward and somewhat limited to cream that rose to the top, only recognizing and presenting trophies for Best In Show, Best in Class, featured Marque Porsche, the Sparrows Club’s choice, and overall People’s choice. The Gathering at the Oaks has truly become a significant and enjoyable regional show and is well worth your time to visit if your plans take you to Southern Oregon next Fall.
Thanks to Kirk Gerbracht for the great photos, above and below; and you can click on any photo to see it full screen in high resolution.
Deserving Best of Show winner is Ron Rezek’s 1939 Lagonda Rapide Drophead convertible — elegant lines, scrumptious interior, and soothing, elegant colors
This multi hue, rumble seated Studebaker President touring convertible was a consistent crowd favorite in fact taking home the People’s choice trophy
If there’s a nicer ’66 Chevy pickup anywhere in the world, I’ve never seen it. This beautifully restomodded 4×4 had just the right combination of original style, great colors and modern performance upgrades
This ’76 Trans Am had the whole Smokey and the Bandit vibe going on perfectly
Rods? Yeah, we got ya rods right here
This unusual and breathtakingly restored 1958 Mercury Voyager 2-door wagon was acquired from its original owner family, and also has to be a world’s best example
The Sherwoods really came ‘packin Porsches this year — Steve McQueen had a 356 Speedster virtually identical to this one
964 RS America is one rare buggy, was also on my list of finalists
I dare you to find a cleaner, more original looking 914 than this one
This uber smooth looking ’33 Ford convertible rod boasted high build quality, and elegant, soothing colors and trim
If cars were judged by the pound, this massive ’69 Caddy ragtop would be the best car in the world
Well split my window — ’63 Corvette coupe now a truly all-time classic
Talk about Splendor in the Grass