A spectacular assortment of world class vehicles was on display this weekend at the 12th Classics and Chrome Car Show, presented by State Farm Insurance, and a record-breaking crowd showed up to enjoy it. Show officials report the two-day attendance totaled 10,201 patrons, the largest draw in the show’s 12-year history.
More than 125 vehicles filled up the old Menards building in Machesney Park. The show featured a wide range of cars and motorcycles including pre- and post-war cars, muscle cars, sports cars, hot rods and custom cars, exotic and race cars, special interest cars and of course, motorcycles. Although an official tally is still being totaled, event organizers expect more than $75,000 was raised for Keith Country Day School.
2012 Classics and Chrome Results
Committee’s Choice
1939 Maybach SW38 Sport Roadster, Dana and Patti Mecum, Rockford, IL
1931 Duesenburg Model J, Dr. John and Elaine Klein, Indianapolis, Ind.
People's Choice
1936 Stout Scarab, Ron Schneider, Franklin, WI
Pre-War Class
1932 MG Midget, John and Patti Morris, Lake Mills, IL
Post-War Class
1947 Chrysler Town and Country, Joe Donovan, Poplar Grove, IL
Muscle Class
1966 Pontiac GTO, Dan Highland, Cherry Valley, IL
Hod Rod/Custom Class
1960 Nash Metropolitan, Chuck and Ginger Redding, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Exotic/Race Class
2008 Lamborghini Superleggera, Randy McBain, Rockford, IL
Sports Car Class
1960 Austin Healey Coupe, Bill and Marie Naretta, Rockton, IL
Motorcycles
2012 KW Custom, Troy Finner, Rockford, IL
Perhaps some of the biggest winners of the weekend were Cindy Ralston (Roscoe, IL), John Ruud (Machesney Park, IL) and Jeff Furst (Rockford, IL). Ralson won the $15,000 grand prize in the Classics and Chrome raffle while Ruud ($3,000) earned the second place prize and Furst ($2,000) took home the third place prize.
Key sponsors of the 2012 Classics and Chrome include: State Farm Insurance, Swedish American Hospital, Keith Country Day School, Pepsi, Rockford Linear Motion, Der Rathskeller, Alpine Bank, Mulford Dental, WIFR, Maverick Media, and OReilly’s.