The Pentwater Chamber of Commerce had a successful Oktoberfest event this past Saturday. The Classic Car and Hot Rod Show had the most entries ever, with 184 vehicles registered and displayed on the main street downtown. The “Best in Show” award went to Doug Irvine for his 1969 red Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500.
Had there been an award for the most unusual vehicle, Doug Bacon would have had a good shot at that with his rat rod made from various parts from multiple junkyard finds. “My grandkids call it ’Buford’ because it has a Buick engine and mostly Ford body parts.”
The composite vehicle is a strange-looking tow truck. “It has a 1937 Buick straight-8 engine and a 1957 Ford rearend. I started with a junkyard vehicle that broke in half when I tried to load it with a forklift. I just had a lot of fun with it. It’s a real conversation starter, and I couldn’t count how many people stopped to take photos of it and talk to me about it.”
Bacon had a second entry next to his rat rod. It was a 1974 Porsche 914 in which he installed a Chevy V8 engine. “It’s really fast,” he chuckled. “I have to be very careful when I drive it.”
Bacon remembered the very first Oktoberfest car show on the Village Green when about 15 cars were registered. “This show has come a long way since it started.”
Readers who missed this year’s show can see a video of it put to music on the Pentwater Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
The car show was one of many Oktoberfest features. The Stout Stumble 5K race was a fundraiser for the Chamber, and there was prime weather for it. Live music and the chili cookoff added to the festive feel. For MSU football fans, there was a big outdoor screen to watch Saturday’s game against UCLA.
Although not sponsored by the Chamber, two other weekend events were publicized with Oktoberfest. The annual C.O.V.E. Home Tour and a Quilt Show also brought many visitors to the community. Hancock Street was dressed for company with new flowerpots brimming with bright mums, and the bustling crowds created a vibrant scene.
