by MaryAnne Block
The St. Cloud Antique Auto Club (nicknamed the “Pantowners”) will host Minnesota’s largest annual one-day car show and swap meet from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18 at the Benton County Fairgrounds, 1410 Third Ave. S. in Sauk Rapids.
Thirty-six classes of cars and trucks, antique to 1994, (400 to 600 cars) are expected to be on display this year. For those interested in two-wheeled vehicles, there are also various classes and models of motorcycles. All classes go by the year manufactured, rather than by company names, such as Ford or Chevrolet. So for any given year, one can see an amazing array of vehicles and models.
Randy Marchand is this year’s president of the Pantowners. He raised his family in St. Joseph. After their family was grown, he moved to Rice.
“I have been passionate about cars since I was 10 because some friends were really into cars,” Marchand said. “The first car I ever restored was when I was a senior in high school. (It was) a 1936 four-door Chevy. Later, that was even our wedding car. I now own four cars.”
The car show should offer something of interest to just about everyone, Marchand said. There will be a submarine displayed on a float. Some people in the Twin Cities who have served on submarines will present the submarine-float.
“This car show is definitely family oriented,” he said. “Cars are the big draw, but there are motorcycles, and crafts and activities for the kids. There is really something for everyone in the family.”
Bob Halliday lives in rural St. Joseph and has also been an avid collector and member of the Pantowners for years. He is in charge of this year’s awards for the various classes of vehicles and contests. He just returned from Wisconsin where he was a judge at the National Model Car competition.
“All three of our sons also enjoy antiques cars,” Halliday said. “One lives in Avon, one in St. Cloud and the other lives farther away. There are a lot of multi-generational members. Even my young teenage daughter wants to drive one of our show cars.”
Halliday has been an old-car buff for as long as he can remember.
“I have always loved older cars,” he said. “All three of our boys – when they were young – were into model cars. That evolved and grew, and now all of us, including my wife, have at least one older restored car. Hers is a 1971 Plymouth Duster and mine is a 1966 Dodge Coronet.”
The car show is much more than just a bunch of old, shiny cars. There will be swappers, arts and crafts, a kids’ zone, kids’ tractor pull and even a valve-cover race. (A valve cover sits on top of a motor.) Entrants get the cover fitted with wheels and whatever is needed to race. The valve covers then zip down a wooden slope by gravity. The fastest wins, similar to a kids’ soap-box derby. But any “kid” from 8 to 80 and beyond can enter the valve-cover race. There is also a model car contest for those who compete on a smaller scale.
With room for 350 “swappers,” an amazing variety of items will be for sale.
For the kids, there will be a bounce house and face painting, besides a kids’ tractor pull. Again, the model car contest is open to all ages.
Some of the special attractions will include pre-World War II vehicles on display in the ice arena. And there will be a crafts area for those who have no interest in the auto portion of the show.
Looking for a particular car, or wanting to sell one? A “Car Corral” is yet another area for those looking to buy or sell vehicles.
There will also be lots of food vendors available.
Another intriguing area is for “Classic Cars” where extremely rare cars in pristine condition can be seen and admired. The cars on display in that area are ever-changing from year to year so returning visitors can expect some surprises. One year a Duesenberg car was on display. Duesenberg manufactured cars for racing and luxury from 1920-1937.
The Pantowners organization started in 1971 and has a current membership of 214 families (not individuals). Members come from many towns and cities throughout the central Minnesota area. Some own one car, some numerous cars and some do not own antique or classic cars at all. But they are all car enthusiasts. Some members have moved to various states, yet still maintain their active membership and visit whenever back in the area.
“We have a great group of people, men and women, of all ages,” Marchand said. “We are all ready and willing to offer help in whatever way we can to anyone who wants to join this neat car club. The atmosphere is welcoming and a lot of fun.”
Explore their website, Pantowners.org, for more information on registration, admission, classes and more.
Randy Marchand (left) and Bob Halliday are enthusiastic about the Pantowners, the St Cloud Antique Auto Club. Marchand, formerly of St. Joseph and now of Rice, is the current president of the Pantowners. Halliday is from rural St. Joseph. Both are actively involved in the upcoming 49th Pantowners Car Show and Swap Meet from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18 at the Benton County Fairgrounds. The event has activities for all ages of family members.
