CASPER, Wyo. — There are staples of virtually any car show in America — a 1957 Chevrolet Corvette, a 1964 Ford Mustang, a 1952 Pontiac Chieftain. However, Casper’s Jane Morgareidge has a fondness for odd cars. She brought her 1995 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Wagon, adorned with flames on the sides, to the annual Memorial Day weekend car show along West Yellowstone Highway.
“It has the LT1 under the hood,” Morgareidge said as she took a momentary break from wiping the engine. “This car was bought by a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, and it never left Cheyenne until the day he passed away. He only drove it back and forth to the air base. His wife sold it to us.”
“My husband decided, ‘Hey, let’s put some flames on it and make it look unique.’ It’s all original. Original paint. The only thing I put on it was the cowl induction hood and the hidden flames.”
The Caprice is just one of dozens of classic and newer model vehicles along West Yellowstone Street by the Yellowstone Garage. The street is closed off between South Ash and South Oak streets for the duration of the show, scheduled to last until 4 p.m. today. Live music will be provided by El Loco Fandango, a ZZ Top Tribute Band, and food trucks are to be on hand.
Cars were still rolling in before 8 a.m. as car enthusiasts and visitors stopped and talked with car owners. Among those giving their vehicles a final wipe down was John Lanum, who brought his kit reproduction of a 1924 T Bucket built with a Chevy 305 motor, 350 Turbo transmission, Ford Explorer rear axle, and handmade frame and suspension.
Lanum bought the unique-looking car from its owners in Florida. He then replaced the Model A radiator with a Model T and put a bigger windshield on it. It’s a zippy, eye-catching automobile that Lanum enjoys discussing with those who stop by, even though his true vehicular love is a Ford Mustang.
“I have four Mustangs and a Shelby, and my Shelby blew a spring out of one of the cylinders a week ago so I couldn’t bring it this year,” he said.
Lanum didn’t want to miss out on the fun of this year’s car show, so it was once again time for his T Bucket to shine.
“It’s got lots of noise. It’s silly, totally ridiculous and unnecessary,” he said with a smile. “You know that old saying, ‘The only difference between men and boys is the size and cost of their toys.'”
There is at least one more car show scheduled for Memorial Day weekend. Sunday’s “Cruizin’ With the Oldies” show will take place at Antelope Park at Arena Street in Bar Nunn. The full schedule of events is available from the Oil Capitol Auto Club.
Correction, May 28, 2022: A previous version of this story stated the car show would end around 2 p.m.; however, it is actually scheduled to end around 4 p.m. The story has been corrected accordingly.
