For kids of all ages

Maybe Gino Ghiselli joined the Karson Kruzers Car Club because they didn't discriminate " the club accepts any make, model and year of car.

Or maybe it's the fact the club's events are fundraisers to help underprivileged youth in the community.

"That's one of the great things about this club," Ghiselli said. "We do this for the kids.

The Karson Kruzers 24th annual Run What Cha Brung Car Show begins at 5 p.m. Friday with registration and dancing in the parking lot of the Carson Mall on South Carson Street. Events run through Sunday.

Ghiselli, 72, of Carson City, owns a 1999 Plymouth Prowler. He was on a three-year waiting list when he ordered it.

"It's got a high-performance, V6 engine," he said. "I added the storage box on the rear and the pinstriping. Everything else is stock."

The shiny black machine looks fast in its lines, and sleek next to Mike Baugus' 1965 Plymouth Barracuda.

Baugus, 49, spent three years restoring his ride, which came with a mouse building its nest in the headlamp housing, and a wasp nest on the radiator.

"It's a labor of love," Baugus said. "You have to enjoy it, and it's the fun of doing it. There's not a lot of Barracudas left."

The car show features group and individual entries from Model Ts to muscle cars to modern vehicles.

Baugus and Jack Gorden, owner of a 1963 Chevrolet Corvair Spyder, fancy being members of the Kruzers for the camaraderie. Gorden's Spyder has a chrome illusion paint job, called "Absolute Purpleen Prism," and reflects to show 14 different colors.

"The club gives us more car enthusiasts to talk with," Baugus said. "Others who enjoy the hobby and to swap stories with."

The men also agree what makes this car show stand out from all others in Nevada " the Saturday night cruise.

"Having Carson Street closed to traffic and being escorted by the Carson City Sheriff's Office is the best," said Gorden.

Proceeds from the Karson Kruzers fundraisers are used to help fund "Shop with a Cop," where officers from the Carson City Sheriff's Department take underprivileged kids shopping.

"Kids are important to us," Gorden said. "With this club that makes the difference."

Karson Kruzers President Loretta Marcin said funds also go to Safe Grad and the Carson City Sheriff's Reserves.

"If there's any (money) left over, which is usually very little, it gives us seed money for the next year," Marcin said, who is in her second year as president.

There about 220 entries for this weekend's car show at Fuji Park.

"We always try to give the entrants more than what they paid for," she said. "And we try to keep it as family-oriented as possible.

"A vehicle show is a place of art. It's something we can all look at and have fun with. And getting an award is the icing on the cake."

- Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.