MHRC Toy Run focuses on "Giving" to close out the year

Like any new event there were a few hiccups, but both NSRA and Clark Co. Fairground staff, stated that they will be reviewing everything, and future events will be even bigger and better.

 Announced registration was 1308 vehicles, and what a display it was.  Joining the great vehicles we have here in the Pacific NW, were large contingencies from Vancouver BC, California, and throughout the country.  The Long Distance Award winner came from North Carolina!

We had a great time and wanted to make sure that we gave a huge "Thank You" to the Rose City Street Rods, who acted as the Host Club, and had a large group of members working the entrance gates and making sure that everyone got onto the site in a smooth and safe manner.  We have no doubt, that the efficiency and dedication they showed, helped the NSRA make a decision to come back.

We invite you to view 3 days of photo's in our Photo Gallery.  You will find galleries for each day of the event.  Enjoy!

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Walsh Mustang Mach 1 Family History

1978 – $900.00 my uncle purchased the Mach in John’s Landing from its original owner who special ordered it from Ford. 

He was living with my family finishing high school, I was 12 at the time.  He took me and my best friend on one memorable ride at high speed jumping a set of RR-Tracks with no seatbelts –we were told to hold on…we landed clean and drove home.   He promised if he ever was going to sell the car he would sell it to me when I was 16….that didn’t happen, a few years later he sold it to a kid in Washington.

1982 - When I turned 16 my Dad asked me what kind of car I wanted – My request – My Uncle’s 69 Mach…after many phone calls it was located in the young man’s parent’s backyard – he had gone into the military, after a lot of convincing it was purchased for $500.00.

Spring 1984 - My Dad and Uncle drove it back to Oregon – Green paint completely oxidized, weeds growing on the floorboards, the driver’s side had sideswiped a bridge, passenger mirror broken off and a family of mice called it home.

I was in LOVE….We worked on it every day after my Dad got home from work by Summer my best friend and I were cruzin the lake, the town and just enjoying our freedom in the car we once jumped the tracks in as passengers. – One of the most memorable Summer’s of my life.

I met my future husband that year and after I graduated we had some body work done and had it painted red by a friend of his.  In 1985 we were married. We drove it every day, it was our second car.  By 1994 the car had seen better days – after three kids – dogs and MANY MANY miles it was tired and in need of some love once again – it was having electrical and engine problems – there was some rust showing itself in the door panels and the floor boards, the interior was shredding, the dash was split…it was ready for a refresh.

1995 - We decided to have Gary’s Mustangs restore it to a nicer daily driver, got a quote and dropped off the car, thinking we would have it back in 6 months to a year – About a $10,000 Refresh.

Each time we went there to discuss options and the progress we added more updates like – re-chroming the seatbelts and making sure the lighter and clock were working.  During the 10 year span – more after-market products were coming on the market that made the refresh more appealing and pushed it into a major restoration – Body off - Ground Up (electrical, engine, transmission, upholstery, paint.. everything.

For 10 Years we put any extra money we could toward the car -- $1000 to $5000 at a time (tax returns, bonuses, saving out of each paycheck $20 at a time)  Had to bring it home a few times to make room for other cars being restored, once it was in our driveway and a tree limb fell on it which added more to the body bill….fast forward…10 years later and $30,000 it is the car we dreamed it would be.

We still can’t believe it looks this outstanding and is such a fun car to drive – it does turn a lot of heads and we get many complements every time it is on the road. We are so glad we spent the money we did on this car…it is truly a family heirloom. 

Tim and Natalie Walsh

Our nervousness was erased, as little by little, folks came over and began to look at our rides and ask questions.  We then began to walk around and look at the amazing rides from not only the Class Act club, but from clubs as far as Port Angeles and Seattle WA.  Amazing paint jobs, body work, air ride suspension, video and sound systems were everywhere.

And the people were great!  It really reminded me of when I first got into the hobby with my own cars, as a charter member of the NW Lowriders and Inimini Truckers.  Like myself, and many of our clubs members, these were young families participating.  Many of the rigs are daily drivers, and they have the passion and dedication of their rides equal to that of any $200 to $300k street rod.  

They had tons of activities for both the entrants, and more importantly, their kids.  They had club competitions, along with great food and raffle prizes.  But the kicker was their awards!  All handmade, and as imaginative as you could get.  The best interior award was a large pillow, that had the event information and Best Interior embroidered on it.  The Best Paint award, was an actual spray gun, mounted on a metal plate, complete with airbrushing identifying the event and award.  That was the single coolest award that I have seen in my 40+ years iin the hobby.

During the award ceremony, this club showed why they are worthy of their name Class Act.  Here we were the outsiders (only at first), and they awarded most of the top prizes to our rigs.  Something that they surely did not need to do, but they showed their respect to the craftsmanship and dedication we had in our rides, like they do in theirs. 

Something we all need to remember, unless you enter this hobby late in life, with a fair amount of cash and the desire to recapture your youth, and own a car you could never had during it.  You start with what you like and can afford.  You more than likely start with a daily driver, and you modify it and make it cool.  These enthusiasts are the future of our hobby!  We need to welcome them, respect and accept these amazing vehicles that they are building.  Afterall, a lot of the ideas they come up with, make their ways into our street rods and restomods.

We need to make sure these people, and their rigs are invited and welcome at our events, like they made us feel at theirs.  What a group of great folks with great rides.  Thanks again to the Class Act Car Club. 

Here is their story as told by founder Dan New and his wife Beth:

Class Act came to be in 1991, founded by Dan New & Marcus Stine. Our mission is to keep our hobby alive and provide a show atmosphere that is family friendly with plenty of activities for the kids to stay busy! Our charity is Clackamas County Dog Services. We donate both materials from their online wish list and cash for shelter needs. We hope to add food or supply donations as part of our registration for next years show. Class Act welcomes all age groups. Our current members range in age from 18-42. Most of us are more than friends, we are a family..

Learn more about this project and the Break the Chain program at http://breakthechainapparel.com/be-a-sponsor/sponsorships/chevelle

*You can find pictures from their event, in our Photo Gallery under Kickin' It Old School 2012.