Cruise by the Bay
Written by Keith Fudge

Not long ago, Dennis Gage had the opportunity to travel to Big Sky Country and attend Cruisin’ by the Bay in Polson, Montana.  This weekend festival has gained popularity every year and is now considered a premier weekend destination event with something on hand for the entire family!  Joining Dennis to tell him more about the event was Show Manager, Rick Dennis, who was in a joking frame of mind when he said that the awesome responsibility of being in charge ensures that he gets “all of the grief and none of the glory!”  Rick told Dennis that this show was simply fantastic and started six years ago as a local gathering.   It is now becoming one of the hottest car events in Big Sky Country!  Rick said that cars were in attendance from all across the Pacific Northwest including Washington, California, and Oregon!  Well, you all know Dennis, and he couldn’t wait to get out and see some of these cool cars.  So it was then time to hit the streets!

First, Dennis found Joe Mauro and his sweet two-toned Nash Metropolitan!  Painted in the original colors of Salmon Coral and White, the car features a Hounds tooth interior and is powered by the upscale 1,500 cc engine.  If this wasn’t sharp enough, one need only turn his or her attention to the rear of the car to see a matching trailer made from another one of these classic cars!  Joe explained that when he was restoring his driver he needed a parts car.  When he was finished, he decided to see if he could do something creative with the “leftovers!”  The trailer is a tailgater’s dream.  Under the hood is the spot for favorite cold beverages and then opening the trunk reveals a state-of-the-art grilling system!  This trailer has made such an impression on the way Joe and his wife travel that their front license plate reads, “Metro-grillitan”!  How cool is that?  Next up was Tyler Watson and his slick 1957 Ford Courier.  This early station wagon is really a type of Sedan Delivery in disguise and is one of the rarest and coolest cars that Dennis has seen.  Tyler said that Ford made 6,172 of these vehicles, but there sure aren’t many of them around.  Sporting a two-toned red and white color scheme both inside and out, and powered by a period-correct 292 cubic-inch Thunderbird V-8, this hauler is quite an eye-turner!  Another car that Dennis saw that day was a one-of-a-kind creation.  Rick Stapleton is the creator of a 1949 Plymouth “WoodLuxe Special!”  Basically, Rick took a ’49 Plymouth and made it a woody convertible!  Painted in PPG Emerald Green and finished in maple and mahogany with every piece carved from larger blocks, this car is simply spectacular!  The interior is just as stunning as Rick continued the wood theme by using bird’s eye maple throughout.  He crafted a roll-top cover to conceal the controls for the air conditioning and the stereo.  This car is simply amazing and is one of the coolest cars that we have seen!  Finally, an absolute beast of the street was in line for Dennis’s final visit of the day as he ran into Frank Morris and his massive 1951 Buick Roadmaster, all 4,600 pounds of it!  Painted in a gorgeous shade of red and with stainless steel replacing chrome, this car maintained its classic lines even though it had been equipped with air-ride and outfitted with a Jaguar suspension.  The interior of the car also features Jaguar appointments.  However, Frank restored the original steering wheel and left the dash to its pristine Buick design.  Under the hood there is also a marvel to behold in the form of a fuel-injected, twin turbocharged straight 8 that now makes 450 horsepower with 10 lbs of boost!  Frank said that he has 1,500 miles on the car and is already on his second set of rear tires.  Now that’s cool!  He towed the car to the show, but not with just any truck.  His tow vehicle is a sweet 1957 Buick station wagon painted to match.  What a dynamic duo! 

Dennis and the crew had a great time in Big Sky Country, and that’s the scoop from Polson, Montana!  So, until our next visit, “Honor the timeless classics.  Happy Motoring!”