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A Brief History of the Itasca Vintage Car Club
By Art
Bruns, Club Historian
It was
1967 when several local car enthusiasts in Grand Rapids, Minnesota got
together and formed a club to advance their hobby and enjoy the
friendship of fellow “car nuts.” The Itasca Vintage Car Club was
born. Early club records indicate that the club started out with ten
charter members. The first officers were Carl Wegner, president;
Robert “Butch” Niemi, Vice President; and Bob Fredrickson,
Secretary/Treasurer. The other charter members were: Dean Peck,
Duane Herfindahl, Dennis Mager, Lloyd LaPlant, Donovan Hare, Jere
Longrie and Lauren Lampi. Many of these members are still active in
the club. Several of the first members worked at Blandin Paper
Company while others worked at Hanna Mining Company. The club was
initially an all male group that met informally, often at one of the
member’s homes. Later, they met at Daily Hall, on what was then known
as the Itasca State Junior College campus. They learned about each
other’s cars and helped each other with restoration projects. Many of
those first cars were Ford Model T’s or Model A’s. The club logo is
evidence of that early influence.
Articles
of Incorporation were drawn up in May, 1967 by the officers. Article
II stated that the purpose of the corporation was “to encourage the
members to acquire, preserve, restore, exhibit and make use of vintage
vehicles model years 1900 through 1941, and all things pertaining to
the vintage automobile including literature, technical and historical
information and to promote the introduction of ideas and fellowship
for the enjoyment of its members.” It is interesting to note that
only pre-war vehicles were considered in the incorporation language.
Perhaps post-war vehicles of the late 1940’s and newer were considered
too new in 1967!
In those
early years, efforts were made to recruit more members, participate in
parades around the Northern Minnesota area, and plan events like
picnics, parties and cruises. The wives of the members decided that
they would join in the fun also and events were planned to include
activities that women would enjoy. The club often joined other car
organizations such as the Duluth and Bemidji clubs for social
activities. By 1969 the membership reached 30.
Some of
the vehicles owned by club members were interesting classics, dating
back to 1916. At club gatherings, one could admire the following:
1934 Lincoln, 1930 Pierce Arrow, 1932 LaSalle, 1931 Chrysler, 1936
Packard, or a 1930 Essex. The Ford Model A, however, was by far the
most common car owned by the early members. It was somewhat easy to
locate and purchase, and parts were readily available. Since many
members owned them, knowledge about how to restore and maintain them
was abundant.
In early
1972, club members began to discuss the idea of a car show and swap
meet at the Itasca county fairgrounds. The event was planned for the
coming July. That first show featured only a few members’ cars that
were parked at the area now used for the horse corral. The club
members made “sloppy joes’ and hot dogs which they sold to the
public. An outboard motor was raffled off to raise money. Also, the
club purchased an old 1930 Model A Ford, fixed it up to running
condition, and took it to the Bemidji parade and other events to sell
raffle tickets. At the show, Dywane Hausman sold three cars, and Jere
Longrie had a fairly large display of car parts. The show was very
successful and each year the event grew larger, needing more space for
the show cars and car parts. Eventually, the entire fairgrounds was
used and in 1989, the event became a two-day affair. The Northern
Minnesota Car Show & Swap Meet is now one of the largest events of its
kind in the state. It is always held on the last weekend of July and
it provides substantial tourist income to motels, restaurants, gas
stations and stores.
The main
focus of the club continues to be enjoyment of vintage cars. It is
the common bond that draws people from all walks of life to an
organization that promotes that focus. In addition to the swap meet
and car show, the club participates in many parades and shows in
outlying communities as well as in Grand Rapids. The membership
meetings are well attended and feature topics of general interest as
well as information on the club’s main focus - vintage cars. There
are not as many Model A Fords owned by members as in the early years.
Instead more 1950’s and 1960’s cars are common. Even modified
vehicles such as street rods and street machines can be seen on the
cruises. Today the club has a membership of 150. The average age of
the members may be a bit higher now, but enthusiasm for vintage cars
still runs hot.
Each year,
the club donates several thousand dollars to local charities, and
awards scholarships to graduating high school students desiring to
pursue careers in the automotive field. It has responded to many
requests by local organizations to help promote the Grand Rapids
community as a tourist attraction.
If you have any questions,
please contact: carcrazy73@yahoo.com
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