Hot weather, hotter cars — More than 600 vehicles enter annual Arlington car show

Barry Phillips’ 1947 Chevrolet Aerosedan won’t win any beauty awards.

By Adam Rudnick • September 15, 2009 1:24 pm
Yakima resident Danny Pellegrini cleans the hood of his 1964 Pontiac Bonneville convertible Sept. 12 at the Arlington Drag Strip Reunion and Car Show.
Yakima resident Danny Pellegrini cleans the hood of his 1964 Pontiac Bonneville convertible Sept. 12 at the Arlington Drag Strip Reunion and Car Show.



ARLINGTON — Barry Phillips’ 1947 Chevrolet Aerosedan won’t win any beauty awards.

But that’s OK for the La Conner resident — he’s just here to have fun.

“It’s not a prize winner,” Phillips said about his 62-year-old car, which features parts from a 1947 Oldsmobile and “a lot of other custom parts.”

Phillips, as well as hundreds of other car owners and enthusiasts from around the state flocked to the Arlington Airport Sept. 12 for the sixth annual Drag Strip Reunion and Car Show.

Hundreds of vehicles were on display during the day-long event. The cars and trucks ranged from contemporary to custom-made.

“We started this six years ago on a whim,” said Bill Kinney, event organizer and Arlington Boys and Girls Club director. “I challenged a friend to restore an old race car. I said ‘If you restore the car, we’ll do a car show.’”

Participation in the car show has more than doubled since its first year in 2004, when about 250 cars were on display.

Kinney said this year organizers have counted about 600 cars, with hundreds more attendees walking around the airport grounds to see the show.

Two of those attendees were Arlington resident Terry Haugstad and his 3-year-old grandson, Charlie.

Terry Haugstad, carrying Charlie on his shoulders, said the car show is a great way to talk with other enthusiasts.

“The variety of cars is great, and to talk to other people about their cars can help you find out how they did things,” Haugstad said.

Owners paid $20-$25, depending on when they registered, to enter the show. Spectators also paid an entrance fee to the show.

All proceeds from the car show go to the Arlington Boys and Girls Club, Kinney said.

During the past six years, the show has raised nearly $40,000 for the club.

This year, the show was presented by Everett-based Port Gardner Vintage Auto Club. The club will also give its proceeds to charity, Kinney said.

“They’re making life much easier,” he said. “It’s been a great partnership.”

Other sponsors included Wesco Autobody Supply, Sandblasters Inc. and Jim Green’s Performance Center.