BY JOHN GUNNELL
The colorful leaves are beautiful this time of year in Wisconsin, but we know we’ll soon be raking them off the ground. Winter is coming. That means they’ll be less car shows to list here, so we’re going to add Winter Sports Events for the next five months. We all want to get out of the house in winter, right? In addition, since there are indoor car shows all over the country, we’re continuing to highlight some of the best ones here, too.
For our car fans . . .
MCACN brings dream machines to muscle car fans
If you’d like to see, in person, some of the famous muscle cars you read about years ago in car magazines, you might want to make a trip to the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (www.MCACN. com) event in Rosemont, Ill. This show will take place Nov. 20-21 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, a short hop from O’Hare Airport. (In case you or your kids collect baseball cards and sports memorabilia, the Chicago Sports Spectacular (www. chicagosportsspectacular.com) takes place there the same weekend.)
Those old car magazines featured GTOs and Hemi Road Runners. There were interviews with GTO “daddy” Jim Wangers, Mopar muscle dealer Mr. Norm and Chevy engine swapper Don Yenko. Racing cars such as the Hurst Hairy Olds and the Bud Moore Trans Am Mustangs were covered. There were awesome full-page ads for cars such as the AMC Hurst SC/Rambler, the Mercury Cougar Eliminator and the Dodge Charger.
Also written up in those car magazines were drag race cars built or driven by Grumpy Jenkins, Joe Mondello, Arnie “Farmer” Beswick and Gas Rhonda. There were photos of lovely Linda Vaughan handing out trophies to winning drivers and articles about one-of-a-kind show cars like the Camaro Cherokee and the Super Teen Pontiac Firebird.
All of these cars and most of these celebrities—have put in appearances at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals over the years since the indoor show began in 2007.
We attended this show for years and even had our 1989 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 Wisconsin state trooper car entered as a modern muscle machine. But it is more fun just go to the show and see many of the actual cars featured in those magazines so many years ago. The ones that really stood out included cars built by Joel Rosen of Motion Performance, several different Nickey Chevrolets, Yenko Camaros and Novas, Mr. Norm Mopars and the Fred Gibb Chevrolet drag cars that were raced by driver Dickie Harrell.
One reason that the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals is so awesome is that the people who pooled their resources to make MCACN happen are all enthusiasts. A second reason is that they hired a guy named Bob Ashton to manage the show. Bob and his wife Vikki know all about the great muscle cars and have a handle on where they are today. They also have a gift for talking owners into bringing their cars to Chicago in November.
Another big attraction of MCACN stems from Bob Ashton’s love of books about muscle cars. Each year he lines up the authors and photographers who covered the muscle car movement over the years and gives them space to sell and sign books during the show. A couple of years ago, he even had Linda Vaughan signing her autobiography.
For those looking for parts to complete a muscle car restoration, MCACN also features commercial vendor booths, as well as an indoor swap meet where you don’t have to go sloshing through dust or mud to find the components, literature and automobilia you need. There’s even a vendor booth especially for bicycle collectors. To put it simply, MCACN is an event you’ll fall in love with if you love muscle cars.
CAR SHOWS & EVENT CALENDAR
NOVEMBER 2021
Nov. 14. Franklin, WI. Midwest Area Die-Cast Collectors Club. Root River Center 7220 W. Rawson Ave. 9 am–12 pm. All die-cast cars. Admission $4. Hot Wheels: 2nd Sunday of month some exceptions. Questions: Contact Scott Moen, club president. Email: ANVPNY@SBCGlobal.net.
Nov. 14. DeKalb, Ill. 12th Annual DeKalb Toy Show 2021. Elks Lodge #765 209 S. Annie Glidden Rd. 10:00 am-2:00 pm. This is a toy show open to all types of toys and models including die-cast, dealership promos and anything that the vendors have. Ph: Brian Prentice 1-815-758-4801.
Nov. 20-21. Rosemont, Ill. Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals. Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 North River Road. Saturday 9 am – 8 pm/Sunday 9 am-5 pm. The ultimate indoor show and gathering place for muscle car and Corvette enthusiasts. On display will be the best muscle cars and Corvettes from across the country. Many famous cars seen in magazines years ago. Automotive and racing celebrities. Reveals of recent restoration. Vintage bicycles. Swap meet. Famous automotive authors. Seminars about restorations and history. Call: 1-586- 549-5291. Email: bashton426@gmail. com or musclecarandcorvettenationals@gmail.com. Visit: www.mcacn.com.
Nov. 28, 2021. Milwaukee, Wis. Slot Car Show. Hampton Inn & Suites, 8201 West Greenfield Ave., West Allis, Wis. Sunday 9 am-1 pm. Ph: 1-414-573-8903.
DECEMBER 2021
Dec. 4, 2021. Kenosha, Wis. Caffeine & Chrome. Gateway Classic Cars. 9949 58th Place Suite 400. 9 am – 12 pm. Gateway is once again open to the public and its Caffeine & Chrome car shows are returning every week thru Dec. 4. All makes and models and years welcome. We encourage you to show off your classic at the Gateway Classic Cars Showroom. Website: www.gatewayclassiccars.com.
FEBRUARY 2022
Feb. 11-21, 2022. Chicago, IL. Chicago Auto Show. McCormick Pl., 2301 S. King Drive, Chicago. Media Preview: Feb. 10-11; First Look for Charity: Feb. 11; Public Show: Feb. 12-21. The nation’s largest new-car show. Call: 1-630-495- 2282. Visit: www.chicagoautoshow.com.
Feb. 20, 2022. West Bend, Wis. Greater Milwaukee Indoor Winter Swap Meet. Washington County Fairgrounds, 3000 City. Hwy PV. Vicki 262-337-0426.
Feb. 25-27, 2022. Milwaukee, WI. Milwaukee World of Wheels. Wisconsin State Fair Park. Friday Feb. 25: 3 pm-9 pm; Saturday Feb 26: 10 am-9 pm; Sunday Feb. 27: 10 am-6 pm. Event details to be determined. Check the Website for updates: www.autorama.com. Championship Auto Shows, 1092 Centre Rd., Auburn Hills, MI 48326. Call: 1-248- 373-1700. Fax: 1-248-373-7091.
___________________________________________
2021 TRADE SHOWS
Nov. 2-5, 2021. Las Vegas, Nev. Specialty Equipment Market Assoc. Trade Show. Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109. A trade show where professionals can see thousands of product innovations from 1,300 new and iconic exhibitors, experience the latest product and custom vehicle trends, get access to 70+ free professional skill-enhancing education sessions and make career-changing connections with peers, leaders and celebrities at the industry’s most anticipated in-person networking event. *NOTE: The SEMA Show is a trade-only event and is not open to the general public. Contact: semashow@sema.org or 1-909-396-0289.
Dec. 9-11, 2021. Indianapolis, Ind. Performance and Racing Industry (PRI) Show. The PRI Trade Show is the racing industry’s No. 1 source for new technology, ideas and business opportunities. If you’re in the business of motorsports it is a not-to-be-missed event. The show takes place at the Indiana Convention Center. The week leading up to and including the PRI Trade Show is known as Race Industry Week. Over 45 conferences, seminars and social gatherings provide PRI attendees countless opportunities to learn, engage with industry experts and have some fun along the way. Note: The PRI Show is a trade-only event and not open to the general public. Contact: PRI, 27081 Aliso Creek Road, Suite 150, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656. Call: 1-949-499-5413 or Email: mail@performanceracing.com.
For our winter sports enthusiasts . . . Vintage cars and buses visit Manawa Snodeo
To prove that cars and snowmobiles can be common interests, we wanted to point out that a pair of Model A Ford “Snowbirds” and a restored short-wheelbase 1951 Dodge school bus were among the highlights of the 2020 Snodeo winter event in Manawa, Wis. The Snodeo drew a crowd of several thousand people and featured snowmobile racing, lake crosses, a vintage sled show and a replica of a 1968 Trade Winds Cheetah sled.
Steve King of Wisconsin Rapids showed up with his 1931 Ford Model A Pickup with a Super Snowbird conversion. The Arps Corp. of New Holstein sold the Snowbird kit to help motorists travel safer in winter. Fords equipped with this kit had three wheels and tires on each side with metal tracks running over them and skis replacing the front wheels.
In addition to King’s completed Snow Bird, Joe Reid of Almond, Wis., brought a second 1931 Model A that is being restored with a similar conversion. Reid’s car had a restored frame, engine and cowl section, plus a complete Snow Bird kit, but no body. He must have been chilly driving his snow-going Ford in the 17-degree weather.
Also appearing at the Snodeo was the 1951 Dodge school bus owned by Kobussen, a local bus transportation company that’s been in business since 1938. Nicknamed “Goldie,” the small school bus was being transported on what looked like a custom-built Freightliner flat bed and being used to promote bus driver job openings.
The roots of Trade Winds go back to 1958, when Don Craig and Carl Dretzke began building pop-up tent campers in Manawa. They also bolted a go cart motor to a Flexible Flyer and made their first “snowmobile.” By 1961, they formed Craig Mfg., to make various products. In 1966, they entered the snowmobile trade and made 300 Tigers.
A Cheetah was a hopped-up Tiger built with racing in mind. A special run of 100 Cheetahs was made in late-1968. They featured powerful race engines, gold paint and leopard-skin seats. Racing versions with three carbs and no electric start were even faster. In fact, it’s claimed a Cheetah piloted by Bob Hansen was the first snowmobile to go 100 mph. On Feb. 20, 2020, Brian Hansen and Doug Hansen repeated history by topping 100 mph with the specially-built Cheetah replica during the Manawa Snodeo.
WINTER SPORTS EVENT CALENDAR
NOVEMBER 2021
Nov. 13, 2021. Fort Atkinson, Wis. Driftskippers Snowmobile Club Grocery Raffle. 3:30 am to 5 pm. Veterans of Foreign Wars, N2074 Vet Lane. Contact Bob Bennett at Email: sleedr4@gmail.com.
DECEMBER 2021
Dec. 4, 2021. Dresser, Wis. Vintage Sled Extravaganza. Noon to 4 pm. 13th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Sled Extravaganza with trophies for various classes of snowmobiles from 1974 and older to 1975 and newer. Mini Sled and People’s Choice awards. Food and beverages. Trollhaugen Ski Resort, 2232 100th Ave. Information: 715-294-4640.
Dec. 4, 2021. Three Lakes, Wis. Northern Lights Snowmobile Club Christmas Party. 5 pm to 9 pm. Bonnies Lakeside, 1426 WI-32. Annual event for club members. Visit: www.northernlightsclub.com.
Dec. 11-12, 2021. Land O’ Lakes, Sunrise Lodge Snowmobile Breakfast Fundraiser. Sat. 1 pm to Sunday 5 pm. 5894 West Shore Rd. Sunrise Lodge will host the Annual Snowmobile Breakfast Fundraiser to benefit the Frosty Snowmobile Club. $11 All You Can Eat Breakfast. All proceeds go to fund trail grooming of the Land o’ Lakes. Information: 1-715-547-3084.
Dec. 11, 2021. St. Germain, Wis. Snowmobile Safety Class. 116 S. Railroad St. 12 am to 11:59 pm. 545 WI-155. Safety first at the St. Germain Snowmobile Safety Class. The class will be taught by the Bo-Boen Snowmobile Club. Pre-registration is required. To register call Peggy at 715- 542-3548.
Dec. 11, 2021. Meyer Township, Mich. Vintage Snowmobile Show & Swap. 1st St. 3 pm. 4th annual Vintage Snowmobile Show & Swap. Dec 11th at William Anderson Sportsman Club. Hermansville, Mich. Registration 9am. Entry fee $5.00. Hosted by Vulcan Relic Riders. Information: 906-498-2520.
JANUARY 2022
Jan. 5-6, 2022. Eagle River Depot, Wis. Sno-Eagles Guided Snowmobile Trail Rides. 116 S. Railroad St. 9 am to 2 pm. Weekly guided snowmobile trail rides open to everyone during the riding season. Meet at the Historic Railroad Depot in downtown Eagle River. For info call Rusty at 1-262-442-4876 or Email: president@snoeagles.org. (Also scheduled for Jan. 12 and 13; Jan. 19 and 20; Jan. 26 and 27; Feb. 2 and 3; Feb. 9 and 10; Feb. 16 and 17; Feb. 23-24; Mar. 2 and 3; Mar 9 and 10 and March 16 and 17.
January 6-9, 2022. Eagle River, Wis. Vintage World Championship Snowmobile Races. Classic vintage races dedicated to the grand old racing machines of the sixties, seventies and eighties. More information: 715-479- 4424 or https://derbycomplex.com/ events/vintage-world-championship-snowmobile-races/
Jan. 8, 2022. Fort Atkinson, Wis. Driftskippers Snowmobile Club Grocery Raffle. 3:30 am to 5 pm. Veterans of Foreign Wars, N2074 Vet Lane. Email Bob Bennett at sleedr4@gmail.com.
Jan. 12, 2022. Eagle River, WI. Sno Eagles Guided Trail Rides. 9 am – 2 pm. Eagle River Old Train Depot, 116 S. Railroad St. Information: 1-262-442-4876.
Jan. 13-16, 2022. Eagle River, Wis. World Championship Snowmobile Derby. World Championship Derby Complex, 1311 N. Railroad St. 9 am-10 pm. Known as the “Indianapolis 500 of Snowmobile Racing.” This Derby is one of the highest-ranking winter sports events in the Midwest and recognized around the world for hosting oval and snocross racing. High-tech snowmobiles reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph on a solid ice oval. Watch high-flying snocross pilots maneuver over a demanding snocross course. For info call 1-715-479-4424 or visit https://derbycomplex.com/.
Jan. 29, 2022. Sayner, Wis. Jesse Roman Memorial Vintage Snowmobile Show. 9 am to 4 pm. Sayner Pub, 2962 WI-155. Step back in time and see snowmobiles from years ago in downtown Sayner, the snowmobile’s birthplace! There will be raffles, a silent auction and more! Proceeds benefit the Vilas County Historical Museum. For details, contact Kelly at 1-715-536-9845.
FEBRUARY 2022
Feb. 4-6, 2022. Waupaca, Wis. Fire on Ice, Inc. Waupaca County Fairgrounds, 602 South St., Weyauwega. Snowmobile races on an ice oval track put on by the USSA Pro Star Racing Series, CWIRA, and WKCR. Covered grandstands. Warm up in between the show with food and drinks in a heated pavilion. Live music, pool and dart tournaments all weekend. Information: 1-715-412-2834.
Feb. 5, 2022. Arpin, Wis. Central Wisconsin Vintage Snocross Races. 9 am. Kandy Kane Park. More information on Facebook.
Feb. 5, 2022. Chippewa Falls, Wis. Annual Lake Wissota Trail Blazers Snowmobile drag races. Sat, 11 am. The Edge Pub & Eatery, 9504 County Hwy S Chippewa Falls, WI
Feb. 12, 2022. St. Germain, Wis. Barnstormers Snowmobile Club Chili Dump. 8120 Murmuring Water Dr. 2 pm-5 pm. Join the Barnstormers Snowmobile Club at Murmuring Waters for their Annual Chili Dump fundraiser. 2-5pm. Contact Anita Horan for more information at 1-715-542-2952.
Feb. 12, 2022. Fort Atkinson, Wis. Driftskippers Snowmobile Club Grocery Raffle. 3:30 am to 5 pm. Veterans of Foreign Wars, N2074 Vet Lane. Email Bob Bennett at sleedr4@gmail.com.
Feb. 19-20, 2022. Manawa, Wis. 15th Annual Manawa Snodeo. Four snow/ ice tracks racing simultaneously. Lakecross (slalom), ProVintage oval racing (Sat/ Sun), Radar Runs 1000’, WI Kitty Kat Championship, Motorcycles, Lawnmowers, Mini Bikes and Ice Car/Truck drag racing. Vintage Snowmobile Show. Sky Diving and much more. Bear Lake Resort in Manawa, WI. More details at: www.manawasnodeo.org $15/day or $25/weekend. For information call: (920) 470-1417
Feb. 18-19, 2022. St. Germain, Wis. Ride with the Champs. Snowmobile Hall of Fame & Museum, 1246 Sled World Blvd. Visit website or Facebook or call 1-715-542-4463 for full details and updates.