Merc Shows Well

 Hodaka Days in Athena, Oregon is a huge thing. The Weston McEwen Booster Club piggy backed on with a car/bike show to help support the sports programs at the HS. Talk was last year's was much larger. It would have been nice to have a few more cars, but I sure enjoyed the experiences I had today! OK-cept for the almost ridiculous sunbroil. I'm going to have to wear blues and blacks for a bit to tone down the bright pink!

We were parked next to some awesome rigs. The blue Firebird won best of show, the black rig below had some incredible suspension things, the red car right next to the Mercury had been fixed up after an encounter with a gal who not only didn't see a red light, but totally missed seeing the red car.

There were so many stories told today. I enjoyed talking to people about the car and the history, as we knew it. One of my favorite comments after a lady looked it over was, "They used to paint kitchens this color." I looked at t he Merc and imagined appliances, tile, and counter tops in this bright blue and white! So many visitors loved seeing what was coined as a 'Survivor'. She's not fancy and that caught a great deal of attention, as well. Her interior was highly praised as we are sure it is still the same one it had when she was purchased in May 1956. One man who sat in the car (I didn't let many, but the ones who did were truly appreciative), said the scent and the colors reminded him of way back when. 

 This pup rode in the side car wearing a helmet to match the bike and car. He also has goggles, but didn't have those on cuz it wasn't a drive where he needed them (just across the field).

This guy had a cool bike with a matching 'car-go' carrier he pulled. The carrier looked like a vintage car. I enjoyed Elvis. I'm not sure it was intentional, but today was windy and the hand on the cardboard image kept waving!! 

 Out in the streets, Hodakas buzzed past. The names are whimsical, the drivers have a camaraderie which binds them together closer than tires hitting the road, and their enjoyment is infectious.

 You can see smoke rising in the sunshine from the revving engines.

 Back in the car lot! Logos gleamed as the sun hit them. Who doesn't love a shiny Mustang????

 I do adore a pretty Ford!!!

The rig below has a varnished stick of wood to help hold the hood open. I liked the idea and suggested something similar for the Merc. We had the hood open today, but you couldn't see the fancy ornament on top. The suggestion was shelved for further consideration.

 Paint jobs on the different vehicles were incredible. One woman shared about a paint job she had seen which looked like lines and an odd blob shape...Until you looked closer. She said the stripes were blue and pink and the odd blobs were a 'boy' chasing a 'girl' around the car! These paint etchings were nothing more than lovely colors and designs. Fun, though!

 This Rat Rod was parked right next to us. The best comment on this rig? 'It's a vehicle with a sense of humor.' Rusted holes were patched with old license plates from anywhere, there were spiderwebs on the windshield, The metal horns on the front had barbed wire wrapped around them. It seemed each time you looked at it, there was something new!

 This car drove past while awards were being given out. I was kind of glad it hadn't been in the show. It is a Buick  from the same year as the Mercury or a bit older. Sweet ride! However, with two  cars in the same category, I'm not sure Steve would have won an award. Especially since the school colors are red/white/black and a lot of people who voted were from Athena!