By Eric Killelea
Ranger-Review Staff Writer
While this weekend’s Cars in the Park will feature long-traveled, souped-up and classic vehicles in Glendive, the most enduring metal figures in the show actually could be those made here, just outside the city limits in an autorepair business.
Taking the form of a shifter-handle for a four-speed transmission in a muscle car, the metal trophies made by members of Badlands Drifters Car Club stand up to 12 inches tall and are mounted on metal plates that include logos and sponsor images.
Scott Mills is the owner of Gate City Radiator and Welding where the car club has been designing and crafting the trophies for nearly three months.
“A lot of people come to our show to see what we come up with for trophies each year,” Mills said in a telephone interview on Tuesday morning.
Before car enthusiasts can hoist the awards in front of their peers, a lot of work must be done, which started earlier this year when a trophy committee gathered to kick around ideas. In the past, Mills and his team “hit on something that’s unique and different” using oak to mirror the shape of Montana or aluminum for custom wheels, and other material for replicating spark plugs and pistons. They “work around” forever-changing club logos made by Jack Rice, a fellow member, beside varying sponsor images on each of the trophies. They find shelter in the Gate City space and work without disturbance.
In March, Jeff Boese, who is not a car club member, helped Mills by “working the metal parts out on a computer-operated, plasma cutter,” before the members assembled the pieces into the desired forms of shifter handles at Gate City. They held four “work meetings” and expect to complete about 40 trophies later this week. As custom, the top 12 vehicle owners are presented with jackets during the event, while 30 trophies are handed over to car and motorcycle winners.
Mills has helped create the trophies since the start of the car club in 1990. A long-time member who held the positions of president and vice president, he enters his 1967 Corvette into every annual show.
“It’s something for us car guys to get together every year,” Mills said. “It’s a hobby that we enjoy and we want to invite the public.”
Nearly 30 years since its creation, the car show attracts nearly 250 cars from Montana, North Dakota and beyond, member Jerry Glaser noted.
“Lots of people drive down from Canada or come up from Colorado or are just driving by and stop through,” Glaser said. “I’ve always liked cars and we want to preserve the old cars. We give out the trophies to celebrate the car and motorcycle owners.”
This Friday, the car show will hold registration and a cruise and poker run at 5:30 p.m., before the Gearhead Gathering with a live band between 7 and 10 p.m. next to NAPA in West Glendive.
On Saturday, people can continue to register beginning at 9 a.m. at Eyer Park before the show starts at noon. Trophies will be presented at 4 p.m.
Reach Eric Killelea at rrsports@rangerreview.com.