Even strong winds couldn't chase away the fun and spirit of Club Sandwich 2003, held in Laughlin, Nevada, last October. Kit car enthusiasts from California, Nevada, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Texas traveled to Don Laughlin's Riverside Hotel & Casino to spend the weekend showing off their cars, renewing old friendships, making some new ones, and swapping all the car stories they could fit into two days.
The cars were parked right under the Riverside sign in the beautiful Nevada sunshine and the howling Nevadan winds. Approximately 30 cars traveled to the event, representing the Association of Handcrafted Automobiles (AHA), Arizona Kit Car Club (AKCC), Oklahoma Kit Car Club (OKCC), and the AZ Cobras (AzC). There were the usual mishaps-a broken clutch cable, a malfunctioning radiator-but nothing dampened the spirits of the show.
On Sunday morning, following a buffet brunch, the awards were presented to the winners by Ron Biggerstaff, president of AHA, and Ginny Canning, president of AKCC. Ed Shipp, owner of a '56 Thunderbird Regal Thunder, and Bob Broberg, owner of a Guardsman Blue '65 Superformance Cobra, were the big winners, walking away with five awards each for their beautiful cars.
Biggerstaff presented the KIT CAR Magazine Editor's Choice Award to Marion Maddox from Oklahoma Kit Car Club for his beautiful '52 Mercedes 300SL. The car is painted a beautiful red that glistens with gold highlights in the sun. Maddox traveled from Texas with the OKCC to attend the event, and his car certainly is worthy of the award and coverage in this article.
The Hard Luck Award went to Ginny Canning, proving that even kit car club presidents occasionally suffer. On Saturday morning, the wind played havoc. While in the process of trying to roll up her car cover, the wind pushed up the trunk hood of her Caroselli Rodster, the prop stick went the wrong way, and the hood crashed down on the kit rod, taking out a chunk of the fiberglass. The damage seemed small in size, but I'm sure the repair bill may be something else.
After two days of friendship, cars, good food, and fun, the club members all said their good-byes and headed for home. It was two days of great people, great cars, and great times. Now THAT'S tasty ingredients for a sandwich we can't wait to enjoy again this year.
For information on the '04 Club Sandwich, contact:Association of HandcraftedAutomobiles (AHA)Dave Martin2636 Yellowwood DrDept. KCWestlake Village, CA 91361(818) 874-7208 / (818) 597-8987E-mail: daytonaman@sbcglobal.netwww.replicarclub.com
The Arizona Kit Car ClubGinny Canning(623) 486-2299E-mail: ginnyc@holsum.phxcoxmail.com
Club Sandwich Award WinnersClass A (under $10K)1. Steve Jones / AHA / Gazelle2. Ric Rousset / Bugatti3. Frank & Judy Summers / AKCC / Jaguar SS100
Class B ($10-20K)1. Jan L Ferrier / AHA / Marlena2. Ginny Canning / AKCC / Rodster3. Mike & Vickie Dresbach / AHA / Magnum
Class C ($20-30K)1. Brian & Barbara Williams / AzC / Lonestar Cobra2. Jack & Barbara Hammond / AzC / FFR Cobra3. Dave Shulak / AzC / FFR Cobra
Class D ($30K+)1. Ed Shipp / AKCC / Regal T-bird2. Bob Broberg / AzC / SPF Cobra3. Marion Maddox / OKCC / 300SL Mercedes
Best Finish1. Ed Shipp / AKCC / Regal T-bird2. Bob Broberg / AzC / SPF Cobra3. Jan L. Ferrier / AHA / MarlenaBest Engine 1. Brian Williams / AzC / Lonestar Cobra2. Bob Broberg / AzC / SPF Cobra3. Ed Shipp / AKCC / Regal T-bird
Best Interior1. Bob Broberg / AzC / SPF Cobra2. Ed Shipp /AKCC / Regal T-bird3.Brian Williams / AzC / Lonestar Cobra
Ladies' ChoiceJan L Ferrier / AHA / Marlena
AHA President's ChoiceRic Rousset / Bugatti
AKCC President's ChoiceMike Dresbach / AHA / Magnum
Best of ShowEd Shipp / AKCC / Regal T-bird
KIT CAR Magazine Editor's ChoiceMarion Maddox / OKCC / 300SL Mercedes