By BOBBIE GREEN
The Progress
Mesquite Motor Mania 2021 returned last week with the largest ever turnout for this event. There were a total of 975 vintage, custom classics, newest of the new autos entered into this year’s show of every imaginable description.
Because of the COVID pandemic, the Mesquite Motor Mania had been postponed to May, from its usual time in the cooler month of January. But the weather smiled fondly on the show. It was beautiful in Mesquite last weekend, not as hot as usual for late May.
Besides just being out for the day and comradery with like-minded car enthusiasts, the show participants were eligible to win trophies, awards, cash prizes and drawings. There were many different categories in which to excel. These included slow drag competitions or the burn-out competition, or roaring engines competitions to name just a few.
The crowd attending the show was encouraged to participate by voting for their favorite cars. That looked to be a tough job trying to choose between so many fabulous automobiles that were there on display.
Virgin Valley’s local car clubs made a big splash with their participation. The “Over the Hill Gang” Mesquite club, led by their fearless leader Steve, had 25 cars entered. The Scenic Seniors club members, founded by Red Powel, had 29 cars entered. Many entries from both clubs won awards.
One of the largest vehicles, if not the most unusual, seen at the show was Ayden Quiros MK Military conversion. Quiros, a former military man and pilot, called his vehicle “America’s first fully architectural leaning Overlander.” The flatbed military transporter was converted with a travel trailer put upon the flat bed. This is now an oversized R.V. that can go anywhere.
Quiros said that he has land in Moapa Valley with space large enough to park this unusual vehicle.
Rachel Hill brought her 1962 souped-up Rambler to the Show from Tehachapi, California. When asked about her impression of Mesquite Motor Mania, Hill said, “ Oh my! Absolutely amazing! It has been outstanding. This is my 3rd year, and this year was the best.”
The top cash prize winners included the following:
People’s Choice winners were Tom and Colleen Reilly of Hesperia, California, who won $1,000 for their 1955 Chevy Cameo truck.
The Participant’s Pick totalling a $2,000 prize, went to Gentleman Joe of Henderson, NV for his 1932 Ford Roadster.
The Best of Show winner was a 1957 Chevy Bel Air owned by Jerry & Lorrie Jacobs of Santa Maria, CA. This won a prize of $3,000.
The Mayor’s Choice award went to Gary Wales from Woodland Hills, California for his 1928 Buick Y-job concept car.
Wales and his buddy Andres Aranda restored the car themselves. They have a total of eight cars that they have restored.
“This car is beautiful,” commented Mayor Al Litman. “The paint job is just amazing.”
Richard Boza, from Mesquite was showing his 1960 Metro with a c-4 automatic transmission.
“When I bought it, it was all in pieces,” Boza said.
Boza was a machinist by trade, and he put the car together himself.
Tom and Jayne Fulton from the Over the Hill Club brought four cars entered in the show, all of them red in color. They had three cars in the top 150. These included a 1958 Chevy 3100 pickup, a 1930 Ford Model A and a 1962 Studebaker. The Chevy Pickup was also the Oasis Resort pick.
The awards were given out at the Casablanca Resort. With 975 cars there were a lot of winners to announce. Mayor Litman had the privilege of announcing the winners. He was a trooper and made it through them all, which was no small feat.
Mesquite Gaming announced that the next Motor Mania would be in January 2022.
The Mesquite Motor Mania event is sponsored by Mesquite Resort Association, Casablanca Resort, Virgin River Resort, Eureka Resort Casino, Oasis Resort, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Las Vegas Events, Mesquite Car Shows and Las Vegas Cruisin’ Association, Inc.
