"I saw it in Hemmings Motor News," says Ron Delucchi, who has admired the Model T Ford since he was in high school. "We hooked up a trailer and drove to Winterset, Iowa to pick it up." All the brass and running lights on the gleaming T are original with the car. Ford Motor Co. produced white cars on special order until assembly lines were introduced in 1915.  Bringing history into perspective, Nancy and Ron show their classic T at the Port Costa School, both built in the same year, 1911.

Russ bought his Impala from an old family friend in 1970, repainted the car its original ivory color and replaced the front seat cover. "It’s strictly stock," he says, "and that’s the way I’m trying to keep it, as a family car." Ron’s Chevy truck, which first belonged to his grandfather, features a rare factory-installed 396 engine. Russ hauled horses with the truck for 20 years.

Richard bought this Model T in 1982, replacing the top and both rear fenders. Richard is shown in Port Costa, in front of the Burlington Hotel.

Jimmy Kilroy of Moal’s in Oakland built this aluminum race car, which sits on a Triumph TR-6 chassis. Ed Adams bought the car three years ago, taking it on a round trip spin to Salt Lake City. "It’s as much fun to drive as it looks," he says.

This immaculate sandstone and frost beige 1933 Ford pickup arrived at the Markus home 20 years ago on the back of a truck – all in pieces, including fenders, engine and transmission. Norm says a sticker on the pickup shows it was originally a fire truck in Redwood City.

Mark’s silver Barracuda is one of 375 Big Block Fastbacks with autotrans out of a total of 1875 built in 1967. "It’s a very powerful car, but it’s old technology, which is what makes it fun to drive," he says. "It’s definitely a driver’s car. You drive it or it drives you."

Ann says people wave at them as they cruise down the road. When they acquired the car, which had been in storage in a Crockett garage, it was "a rustbucket." "You could put your foot through the floorboard," says Norm.

Mick and Elaine put their pickup together with parts from all over – the cab and frame were found separately. The car won first place awards at the Oakland Roadster Show, Moscone Center and the Cow Palace in 1981-82. Since then they go to mostly local events. "We just drive it around and have fun," says Elaine.

Ed has owned this Model T Hot Rod for about 3 years. It was converted with a ‘40 Ford pickup V8-60 into a Hot Rod in the 50's and remains the same today as it did then. The year 1927 marked the end of the assembly line for the famous Model T’s.

Dan Emmel brought new life to this ‘55 Chevy, which was once destined for the junk yard. "The tires were flat and deteriorated and the brakes didn’t work," he says. Today it’s in almost daily use. Shown in the picture is Colleen Akers, Dan and Darlene’s granddaughter.

The license plate on Skip England’s snappy Ford Roadster says it all: NVGRWUP. Skip has owned hot rods since he was a teenager. This is his 57^th car. He bought it at a consignment shop in Petaluma three years ago and has rebuilt the engine and transmission. Skip is pictured here at Howies in Pleasant Hill.

Tom paid $198 for his car 38 years ago. When he bought it, the car had no motor, no transmission, and it had been painted with a paint brush. Today the gleaming coupe has a loaded Offenhauser flathead engine and Mitchell overdrive. "There’s nothing left to be done with it," says Tom.

Dean acquired this Austin at a foreclosure sale 15 years ago. It has a Chevy 301 engine and features tilt-front fenders and hood. "It had a rod knock when I bought it, but I made it home with it. I’ve spent a lot of time fixing it. The previous owner used a hammer and chisel to put the radio in."

Doug and Yolanda Runkle are well known as proprietors of Doug’s Chevy Parts in El Sobrante. Doug says this classic delivery van needed total restoration when he bought it 10 years ago. Today, he says, "it stops people in their tracks." Doug and Yolanda retire from their car parts business in August, but Doug’s Chevy Parts will continue under the same name with new owner Bob Niven.

This car is still in the family. In this picture, Yvonne shows the sleek T-Bird her father bought brand new at Cortese Ford in Richmond for $6100. One of only 1427 T-Birds made that year, it is in original condition.

This picture actually belongs in the Raffle Prizes section. Clayton Bailey, ceramic artist and builder of robots, has donated this model car to the raffle.  It is made of scrap aluminum, old machine parts and roller skate wheels. The seat is made of genuine leather. Clayton is also making another model race car out of old Kirby vacuum cleaners, with a robot at the wheel. The car will be for sale at the Port Costa Car Show and Crafts Fair on August 31.

Kathy Kearns’ distinctive pottery featuring scenes of Crockett and Port Costa will be for sale.

Clayton Bailey’s hand made model Fantasy Car with Robot at the wheel will be featured at the Car Show and Crafts Fair.  The car is made of old Kirby vacuum cleaner parts.

Classic car theme ceramic tiles will be sold by Sidney and Bailey Liebes.  

SWELL RAFFLE PRIZES

Original model metal car by Clayton Bailey

Original painting by April Zachary

Handmade quilt by Monica Greene

Handmade quilt by Kathleen Thomas

Night for two on the Delta King from  Dee and Lewis Stewart

2004 Port Costa photo calendar by Veronica Crane

Handmade necklace by Patty Wilson

Corvette wall clock from Doug’s Chevy Parts, El Sobrante

Glass-glitter star crown by Wendy Addison

Original pottery by Kathy Kearns, Crockett

Illuminated three-gauge set from Doug’s Chevy Parts, El Sobrante

"Flying A" six-pack cooler from Lewis Stewart

Gift certificate from Hair Nouveau, Crockett

Dinner for two, Warehouse Café from Jacob and Ivana Domansky

Set of 4 die-cast collectible Chevy Classic cars, Doug’s Chevy Parts, El Sobrante

One-hour massage by Sharon Loveseth

Oakland Raiders photo montage from Pat Talasy (Port Costa's Postmaster)

Three postal teddy bears from Pat Talasy

2 tickets Oakland A’s vs. Anaheim, Sept. 8 from RGM and Associates, Concord

Breakfast for two at Valona Café from Niki Henry, Crockett

Ceramic "big mouth bass" by Tony Natsoulas from Epperson Gallery, Crockett

Nylon shell Chevy racing jacket from Doug’s Chevy Parts, El Sobrante

Gift bag & membership from East Bay Regional Park District

Classic cars T-shirt from Doug’s Chevy Parts, El Sobrante

Two flamed sweatshirts from the Crockett-Carquinez firefighters

Framed original fairy art ("Luna") by Aaron Cole.  www.digitalcole.com 

1:4 scale Dale Ernhardt NASCAR Winston Cup motor, limited collection collectable from Mel Kirchgessner of Allen-Simmons Heating and Sheet Metal, Fairfield

Handcrafted gourd purse by Patty Weller

One-hour massage from Bobbie Sanford at Healing Touch

Ceramic big-mouth bass by Tony Natsoulas donated by Epperson Gallery, Crockett

The Delta King in old town Sacramento

A portion of Kathleen Thomas’ "jewel box" quilt

"Flying A" six-pack cooler

Lily List models Wendy Addison's Glass-glitter Star Crown

A page from Veronica Crane's picturesque 2004 Port Costa calendar