Debra and Marc Morales Take Top Prize at the 40th Mountain Mania Car Show – by Carly

Cars line the streets during the 40th Mountain Mania Car Show. Photo by Carly Winchell.

An array of cars lined the North and South sides of Main Street on Saturday, July 6 during the 40th Annual Mountain Mania Car Show. Cars of all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages were on display for attendees under a bright sun and blue sky. There were 104 cars registered for the show.

Proceeds from registration fees go toward helping local youth through the BV Optimist Club‘s programming and events.

The Dragon Wagon at the 40th Annual Mountain Mania Car Show. Photo by Carly Winchell.

Some vehicles offered photo-ops, where a visitor could pose with colorful entries.

Michael Simpson offered a fedora and prop tommy gun to pose with his 1931 Chrysler Imperial Limousine to complete the Al Capone aesthetic.

Bill Masse let people hop inside his mini 1959 BMW for photos. The unique (confirmed later with an award) vehicle opens up from the front for passengers to hop inside.

Other entries featured comical ornaments. One green Chevy Station Wagon entered by Ward Thorne, dubbed the “Dragon Wagon,” featured a green dragon under the hood.

Another entrant had a window cover showing Star Wars characters driving the car. Yet another had Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner under the hood. The coyote had their long-time enemy by the throat with a speech bubble that said, “Beep, beep my ass.”

Crested Butte band Blue Rooster plays on East Main during the 2024 Mountain Mania Car Show. Photo by Carly Winchell.

Crested Butte band Blue Rooster played music on a stage located near the Buena Vista Roastery Café, and Madam Belle Brown even made an appearance to plug upcoming Madams of Central Colorado shows.

The show began at 9:00 a.m. Votes had to be turned in by noon, and the winners were announced a little after 2:30 p.m.

First up was young winner Natalie Schuh. Schuh won the naming contest when she dubbed Ridgeline Sign’s wrapped RC Car “The Princetonator.” Schuh will receive a license plate with the name of the car on it and a $25 gift card to Swift River Ice Cream.

“The Princetonator” will accompany Ridgeline signs to parades and expos over the next year.

Then Seth Williams announced the awards beginning with a variety of specialty awards that celebrated specific features. Optimist Club President Dan Johansen gave a handshake and awarded the trophies and plaques to each winner.

The Specialty award winners were:

1959 BMW Isetta from Linda and Bill Massey. Photo by Carly Winchell.

Most Unique Entry: Linda Massey and Bill Massey – 1959 BMW Isetta

Best Paint: Bill Masse – 1931 Ford Model A B82 Wide Box

Best Engine: Brad Leach – 1969 Ford Mustang Mach1

Best Interior: Debra Morales – 1955 Chevy 210 post

Police Chief’s Choice (given by BV Police Department Chief Dean Morgan): Amy Close – 1969 Camaro SS

Fire Chief Award (given by Chaffee County Fire Chief Blaine Schumacher): Janice Benbow – 1930 Ford model A Sedan

Best Truck Overall: Jim Arnold – 1992 Ford F250

The next batch of awards were categorized by decade. Entrants received recognition for best restored and best modified in each decade from the 1930s to the 1980s. The winners were:

A passerby poses with hat and tommy gun in front of the 1931 Chrysler Imperial Limo for the full Al Capone effect. Photo by Carly Winchell.

1930s Restored: Michael Simpson – 1931 Chrysler Imperial Limousine

1930s Modified: Bill Masse – 1931 Ford Model A B82 Wide Box

1940s Restored: John Betts – 1948 Chevy Fleetmaster

1940s Modified: Ivan Wright – 1948 Ford Super Deluxe

1950s Restored: Kenneth Frederick – 1957 Olds Super 88

1950s Modified: Ward Thorne – 1957 Chevy 210 Station Wagon

1960s Restored: Randy Seay – 1967 Ford

1960s Modified: Brad Leach – 1969 Ford Mustang Mach1

1970s Restored: Kirby Laughlin – 1970 Ford Mustang

Grand Champion Runner-Up Jeremy Allenbaugh accepts the trophy from BV Optimist Club President Dan Johansen for Arrowhead Spring Water’s 1931 Ford AA. Photo by Carly Winchell.

1970s Modified: Jim Arnold – 1972 Ford F250 Pickup

1980s Restored: Brigitte Nadon – 1989 Chevy Corvette

1980s Modified: Dina and Wayne Sockriter – 1985 Chevy K10

The next award went to the winner of the popular vote:

People’s Choice Award: Linda Massey – 1959 BMW Isetta

The final two awards went to the runner-up and the overall Grand Champion for the 2024 car show.

Grand Champion Runner Up: Arrowhead Spring water (Jeremy Allenbaugh) – 1931 Ford AA Arrowhead Water Truck

Grand Champion: Debra Morales – 1955 Chevy 210 post

Debra and Marc Morales pose with their trophies after winning Best Interior and Grand Champion for their 50s Chevy. Photo by Carly Winchell.

Grand Champions Debra and Marc Morales celebrated their victory, chatting with friends after receiving their trophies. Marc said he took care of the interior of the vehicle but the big trophy belonged to Debra and the car.

Their 1955 Chevy 210 post was entered into the 1950s modified category. As grand champion, the vehicle will feature in the logo for the 2025 Mountain Mania Car Show next summer.

When asked how they felt after winning the award, Marc said, “I’m amazed.”

“Speechless,” said Debra.