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You are here: Community Features 12th annual Gurley Motor Co. Route 66 Car, Truck & Street Rod Show put on a performance in Gallup

12th annual Gurley Motor Co. Route 66 Car, Truck & Street Rod Show put on a performance in Gallup

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The 12th Annual Gurley Motor Co. Route 66 Car, Truck & Street Rod Show closed out another memorable year, July 27-29.

Gurley Motor Company owner, Steve Gurley, said there were roughly 90 to 95 participants this year and said more would have came out, but due to the rain, some of them didn’t want to chance it.

“We were 30 to 40 shy from last year because of the weather,” Gurley said.

MORE THAN VEHICLES

In 2006, the first small car show launched, but was only limited to Ford models, which only had 10 participants, Gurley said. The following year, he opened it up to all makes and models, increasing the participation.

Vehicles cruised out from Arizona, Colorado, California, Texas and throughout the state of New Mexico.

Participants like Donald Pacheco, a Vietnam Veteran from Bosque Farms, N.M., and the owner of a 1957 Chevy Bel-Air, this year’s Mayor’s Choice Award, said he bought his first used car in high school.

“I owned it from 1965 to 1970, then I went to Vietnam,” he said. “And I still owned it.”

Pacheco said after he came home from Vietnam, he applied for the G.I. Bill (benefits for returning war veterans) to go to college in Colorado, but admitted that wasn’t enough to pay for college so he sold his Bel-Air.

Three weeks later after selling his car, he got a job at the UPS store and wanted to get his car back, but the previous owners wouldn’t re-sell it to him.

“It was gone from me 30 to 42 years,” he said. “But it wasn’t like this”, as he pointed at his Bel-Air that he said he is still perfecting.

The stories do continue of participants and their cars.

Such as first year participant, George Williams, from Pinetop, Ariz., owner of a 1957 Chevy Bel-Air, 2-door hardtop. He said he bid on the car when the previous owner passed away. He was able to purchase it.

“I cleaned it up. It was already in good condition,” he said. “I had to repair a few other things, but it drives real nice on the highway.”

He also said the Bel-Air has a new transmission like a newer vehicle does.

Vehicles, do in fact, carry more than parts. They carry memories.

Memories such as second year participant, Ben Skeet, from Naschitti, N.M., owner of a 1967 Chevy Camaro, said his car was his retirement gift.

“I had one a long time ago but I sold it,” Skeet said.

He said he saw another one like it so bought it.

A month-long owner of his Camaro, he said, “I really enjoy the car show,” he continued. “It’s a good time with family and other contestants.”

Skeet also participates in other car shows in Farmington, N.M., and Winslow, Ariz., and would like to go as far as Flagstaff, Ariz.

John Stanford, from Kirtland, N.M., owner of a 1966 Chevy El Camino, said his first year participating in the car show was great and he loved the evening cruises.

“Steve [owner of Gurley Motor] done a great job,” Stanford said.

His El Camino featured a black cherry pearl body with finished ghost flames, and air brushed art work on the tail gate, which were painted in pearl paint.

He said he built everything on his El Camino, except the bedliner, but is a proud owner of his car for 22 years.

“My grandkids artwork is what’s painted on the back.” The artwork included: UFO’s, a castle with Rapunzel’s room in sight, dragon, mountains, and a silhouette figure of a wizard.

 

VETERANS HELPING VETERANS

The car show is held on “Freedom Weekend,” which happens the last weekend of July.

This year, proceeds went to the nonprofit group Veterans Helping Veterans.

“It’s all for the veterans,” Gurley said, “Every penny we collect goes to the organization.”

Gurley said his company wanted to be part of something that really brings people into Gallup.

“Freedom Weekend is like a big family and friendly event,” Gurley said. “That’s what we are shooting for and our goal is to make it bigger. The more people can make it, the more people spend time in Gallup.”

 

GOING FORWARD

With the 12th year coming to a close, Gurley and his team are prepared to set next year’s show in motion, and to gradually improve the show utilizing different approaches.

He couldn’t have done it without his team, he said, and other departments that have graciously donated to the event.

Especially the raffle prizes, such as: a 60” flat screen TV, $500 cash prize, tool box, tools, propane grill, $100 gift certificates to thr parts department at Gurley Motor Co., plus other donations from other departments.

By Boderra Joe

Sun Correspondent


AWARDS

 

Mayors Choice:

• Donald Pacheco, Bosque Farms, N.M., Vintage/Classic, 1957 Chevy Bel-Air

Gallup Police Department Choice:

• Wayne Peel, Gallup, N.M., Custom Truck 4x2 or 4x4 All Years, 1985 Chevy Truck

Gallup Fire Department Choice:

• Lloyd & LaVerne Wolfe, St. Johns, Ariz., Muscle Car Pre 2000 Model Year, 1970 Oldsmobile 442

1st Place – Street Rod

• Jim Whaley, Albuquerque, N.M., 1940 Rod Coupe

1st Place – Rat Rod

• Chuck Ryder, Las Cruces, N.M., 1929 Ford Model A Tudor Sedan

1st Place – Vintage/Classic

• Joseph & Peggy Chavez, Santa Rosa, N.M., 1964 Ford Fairlane Sports Coupe

1st Place – Motorcycle

• Joseph Vigil, Ranchos de Taos, N.M., 1998 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail

1st Place – Low Rider

• Joseph Rael, Gamerco, N.M., 1964 Chevy Impala

1st Place – Muscle Car Pre 2000 Model Year

• Rodney Connolly, Denver, Colo., 1972 Chevy El Camino

1st Place – Muscle Car 2000 to Current Year

• Steven Mumford, Gallup, N.M., 2015 Chevy Camaro

1st Place – Original Car Pre 2000 Model Year

• Patrick Dan Carr, Show Low, Ariz., 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400

1st Place – Custom Car All Years

• Bob Thomas, Tucson, Ariz., 1939 Studebaker Commander

1st Place – Original 4x2 Truck

• Darren Baade, Gallup, N.M., 1988 GMC Sierra

1st Place – Original 4x4 Truck/Jeep

• Gene Stirling, Lakeside, Ariz., 1971 Chevy k10

1st Place – Custom Truck 4x2 or 4x4 All Years

• Oscar Flores, El Paso, Texas, 1994 GMC Truck

1st Place – No Designated Class (plus 3 others) - Import

• Rachel Henley, Gallup, N.M., 2018 Final Edition Evo

Best of Show – Vintage/Classic

• Al & Prescilla Funke, Rio Rancho, N.M., 1956 Ford Victoria