Editor:
The 38th Annual Gunnison Car Show was a blast. A blast from the past and a blast into the future. My name is Zak Trafton and I am the serving president of the Gunnison Car Club. We are a registered non-profit in the Gunnison valley I want to thank the Gunnison Valley community along with the long standing and highly devoted members of the Gunnison Car Club.
We plan all year to hold this three day event celebrating the car hobby. We want to share and spread the hobby to our younger generations and keep it alive and well. In the 30 plus years I have been attending car shows I’ve seen a sharp drop in car show attendance and interest in the hobby both here in Gunnison and in other areas. But there is hope for car guys and girls everywhere. Today we are seeing a rejuvenation in the sport with more and more unique and non-traditional cars. From highly detailed and extensively modified Subaru WRX STi’s to modified off road and overlanding vehicles.
While I still prefer a V8, loud exhaust and chrome, the love for cars doesn't care how many cylinders you have or if you have any at all. We have had some very interesting electric cars in the past and I’m sure there will be more and more every year.
The beautiful thing about this hobby is you can make it 100% your own. No matter what vehicle you have a passion for, people at car shows and car events will look and ask questions and find your personal modifications interesting. We see fresh vehicles every year at the show that we’ve never seen before. This year a beautiful red and white 1965 Ford F-100 pickup truck won best of show. The owner, Michael Olander from Pleasant View, Colorado brought this awesome ride a long way to share it with us. The truck featured a built 300 inline 6 cylinder engine, a supercharger and side draft carburetors. This truck was truly unique, hand crafted and one of a kind. Traditionally, elegant sports cars, gorgeous sedans or wild hot rods win the best of show.
The awards are voted on by the show attendees and participants. It is fun to see the small shift in interest to trucks and wagons and customization styles that didn’t used to be the most popular. All cars are welcome at our show.
I also want to thank the Gunnison Police Department, Gunnison Parks Department, Gunnison Streets and Alleys, Gunnison Sheriff’s Office, the Colorado State Patrol, Gunnison EMS and the Gunnison Volunteer Fire Department for their support of the show. We support all the first responders of the Gunnison Valley especially during our busy summer months and fire season. They took the time to show off their cool emergency vehicles and talk with the community.
When the dust and exhaust fumes settle at the end of the third weekend in August, we put this car show on for one reason. To give back to the Gunnison Community. With over $250,000 of donations to local non-profits given over the last 38 years we aren’t going to stop anytime soon. Thank you to our loyal sponsors who donate time, money and resources to our program. We love cars and we love the people of the Gunnison Valley.
We hope you get revved up next year for the 39th Annual Gunnison Car Show on Aug. 20-22 of 2027. You can learn more at www.gunnisoncarclub.com. We are always looking for feedback about the show and new members to keep the show going.
Zak Trafton
Gunnison Car Club President 2019-2026
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