They're not all classics, but they are cool

Row after row of polished paint and chrome filled Fuji Park on Saturday afternoon. It was a car lover's paradise.

Cars and trucks from "back in the day" to modern productions like the PT Cruiser were lined up for the Karson Kruzers 24th annual Run What Cha Brung car show.

It was nothing to see a 1951 Olds Super 88 near a 1938 Chevy two-door sedan, or a 1915 Ford Model T (owners Ann Margaret and James Bond) with original plates across from a 1927 Packard Roadster Model 336 (with 1,144 built and only five left in running condition " this one owned by Donald Harns of Carson City), all within feet of Chevy Novas, Malibus, Bel Airs, pickups, convertibles, cars and trucks raised, lowered and chopped for fancy.

Margie and Bill Hildenbrand of Galt, Calif., have been participants of the car show since 1993. They won the People's Choice award in 1997 with a 1933 Dodge four-door sedan, and in 2006 with a 1955 Ford pickup. This year they've entered a 1938 Ford Ramrod.

"It's the fun of it," Bill said about returning for so many years. "And the good people."

Kruzers president Loretta Marcin said they had more than 50 judges walking the park looking at more than 270 entries. Volunteer Edie Grub said they're already taking entries for next year.

Carson City resident Mike Darrah said his favorites are the late '60s muscle cars.

"The Chevelles," he said. "There's one here like the one I bought in 1968. It's in nice condition.

"I like the atmosphere of this car show. It's in a nice venue, and there are some beautiful cars here."

Lucky Madrid of Fremont, Calif., entered his Ford Ranger.

"Mary (Root, friend) drug me up here 20 years ago, and I've returned ever since," Madrid said.

Root and her husband, George, of San Jose, Calif., have entered the show for the past 22 years, with a 1927 Ford Roadster, a vehicle Mary enjoys driving all the time.

"I used to race it at Baylands (Fremont, Calif.), Sacramento and Sears Point (Infineon) Raceway," she said. "I did 119 mph in the quarter-mile."

Mary has a lot of memories of the Kruzers car shows, like having it rain the first year she attended, and driving through the snow and sleet another year " with no top.

"The people are fantastic," Mary Root said. "They remember your name, the food's good and the company is fantastic. You couldn't ask for better people."

Root has won awards in a couple of divisions, but she said she's not there to win.

The Roots are members of The Unorganized Group.

"Mine is not a show car " it's a driver. I'm here to have fun," she said.

"I'm the little old lady from San Jose. I'm different. I don't want to grow up."

The Calaveras Coachmen out of San Andreas, Calif., was started in 1963 or '64.

Member Fred Kirk has a 1953 Pontiac in the show and along with members Tom Sears, Dan Bryan and the Hildenbrands, had a rash of stories to tell.

"These shows bring back a part of your life," Bryan said. "I've known some of these guys since high school.

"It's the fun of this show that has brought us back. And a great bunch of people put it on. They take good care of you."

Run What Cha Brung concludes today with a poker run from 8:30-11 a.m. and the awards ceremony at noon at Fuji Park.

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