Ok, here’s a disclaimer: This posting will probably be of interest to a select few on our blog. It deals with antique cars, custom cars, hot rods, and a new category of cars Meriam and I have not encountered before. So, if you are not interested in cars of various sorts, just close out your browser and wait for our next post 🙂 .

While at Parkside Campground, we ventured into Red Lodge for a car show weekend. On Friday night, they had a parade of cars that drove up and down their main street. Saturday was the main car show. Very much like one of Jefferson’s car shows, all the cars were lined up along Red Lodge’s main street with hoods open, ready for all the oohs’ and aahs’.

It was a pretty impressive showing of cars. The main street (as well as several side streets) was bumper-to-bumper show cars, along both sides of the street, for at least 10 blocks. We estimate a total of at least 200 cars.

The last event of the weekend was held on Sunday morning at their local airport. The runway was shut down so, for $5 a car, any of the car show participates could enter in drag racing. Meriam wanted me to enter the truck camper but we were pretty sure we would be disqualified since we were not a show participant.

The highlight for Meriam and me was a category of cars we have not seen before. They’re called “Rat Rods”. Rat Rods are cars (and I use the term loosely), created out of automobile components for various cars and trucks. Once completed, these Rat Rods must be “street legal” and capable of driving at least 1000 miles!

Our interest in Rat Rods led us to talk with one of the show organizers. They told us of a “Rat Rod” gathering in the town of Belfry, about 20 miles from Red Lodge. So, Meriam and I hopped in the camper and headed there.

Why a gathering of Rad Rods in Belfry (this “town” must have a total population of 28, if that)? It seems one of the town residents has a world-class automotive frame shop there. He works on cars from all over the US. So, it was only “natural” to have a gathering of Rat Rods there. At least 30 Rat Rods from the car show were in attendance.

Last year, the organizer of the event had issued a challenge to perspective Rat Rod builders. The challenge was to build a Rat Rod (as described above) with the added requirement that no more than $4000 could be spent on the build! Of the 30 or so Rat Rods in attendance, 9 qualified for the challenge. Now, remember, the entire car (term used loosely) had to be built using no more than $4000 including engine, transmission, tires…everything!

One last thing. The folks at Belfry were incredibly friendly and hospitable. They welcomed us into their midst as if we were long-lost friends.

Well, maybe this is the last thing. Meriam and I were invited to have a ride in one of the Rat Rods. Quite an experience!

The Parade

Belfry