Old beauties shine at Devils Tower

The 18th annual Devils Tower Car Show, sponsored by the Texas Trail Cruisers Car Club, hosted over 100 vintage vehicles, including 96 that were registered and about a dozen more that were driven in just to be seen Saturday. They were from Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana and Wisconsin.

There were automobiles in various stages of restoration and renovation with proud owners more than willing to chat. Enthusiasts, both novices and veterans of the pastime, mingled, visited and appreciated the view of so many beauties shining their best.

Among the registered cars, judges chose the 1961 Chevy Impala, owned by Todd Farnsworth of Newcastle, WY for first place and the 1955 Bel Air, owned by David Hickey of Baker MT for second.

First place among the trucks was the 1955 International Travelall, owned by Eric Carlson of Newcastle, WY and second went to the 1957 Chevy Cameo, owned by Randy and Rebecca Blakeman of Gillette.

Richard Kirkpatrick from Chamberlain, SD took home the Long Distance Award with his 2016 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack and Les and JoAnn Loos of Glenrock, WY won the Matt Driskill Top Gun Award for their 1971 Dodge Demon.

Of the many guests who walked throughout the beauties of bygone years, Harvey and Luanne Lemmond were among those who had stumbled upon the show as they were heading to the gate leading to Devils Tower. The couple was on vacation from their home in Dallas, TX.

"We just like to see the old cars redone. We like to say, 'oh, I had one of those back in 1965'," Luanne laughed.

Carolyn Holberg, co-organizer and club member, was pleased with the day, "This was our second highest year and the weather was fantastic. We had great looking cars and trucks and a wide variety of them." 

Holberg shared some of the history and the goal of the 20-year-old Texas Trail Cruisers Car Club: "[It was] started by local car enthusiasts in Moorcroft and the surrounding area [with] an emphasis on a family oriented car club that works toward providing scholarships to graduating high school seniors in our area while having great fun with our cars. We hold garage meets and Show 'n Shines around Crook and Campbell Counties."

The club currently provides four $800 scholarships a year.