Recharged Glacier Street Rod Association still going strong

After reorganizing the club two years ago and revamping its annual classic car show, the Glacier Street Rod Association is back in the limelight, celebrating its 30th anniversary.

When association leaders announced in July 2008 that the time-honored Rod Run classic car show had come to an end due to an aging membership, it led some to believe the organization had disbanded all together.

That wasn’t the case at all, according to association secretary Dan Brown.

“It seems that many people read more into that story and thought that we were folding up, going under, ceasing to exist,” he said. “That simply is not true. This club has been in existence since 1980 and we don’t plan on giving up yet.”

The group still meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month, normally at Birch Grove Community Center. A potluck precedes the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Cruises are held in the spring and fall, and impromptu cruises often are planned on Friday evenings.

There have been some significant changes, however.

Glacier Street Rod Association originally was restricted to owners of cars from 1957 and before. Not any more.

In November 2008 a vote by club members changed the year restrictions to include vehicles that are at least 40 years old.

“That was a huge change and will create more interest for the club as time goes on,” Brown said.

It’s not necessary to own an old vehicle to be a member, but anyone wishing to represent the club at an event must have a vehicle that’s at least 40 years old.

The Rod Run has been resurrected but has changed somewhat. Flathead CARE is in charge of the Saturday parade and the Show & Shine event in downtown Kalispell.

This year’s 30th Anniversary Rod Run is July 22-25, when the public can look forward to lots of bright and shiny classic cars cruising around the Flathead Valley.

More information about the association is available online at www.glacierstreetrodassoc.org.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com