by Paul Olson

Great weather.
Near-record numbers.
Happy exhibitors and enthusiastic spectators.

In just about every way possible, last weekend’s annual Manistique Merchants Association Car and Antique Vintage Snowmobile Show will go down in the books as an unqualified success.

A total of 133 cars officially entered Saturday’s event, down just slightly from the all-time record of 138 set last year.

There were 46 snowmobile entries, up from 2006 and continuing a growth trend that started several years ago.

Chairman David Vaughan said everything went smoothly, and they were very pleased with the results of the show and the many related activities that took place throughout the day.

Those activities included 50-50 raffle sales by the Manistique High School cheerleaders and a brand new “barnyard bingo” event, sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which was raising money for its Gift of Hope capital campaign.

Other events included the ninth annual kids’ tractor pull [see results page A7] and the car “blow up” contest, where spectators tried to guess how long an old vehicle would run without oil.

The engine on this year’s car, a battered old Chevy Nova donated by Turek’s Auto Parts, ran powerfully for several minutes but gradually began to knock and smoke. After several false alarms, the engine finally stopped for good at 5 minutes, 43 seconds. That was roughly half as long as last year’s time and far off the record of nearly 33 minutes set in 2002.

St. Vincent de Paul volunteers also coordinated that event, selling chances to raise money for their campaign. They divided the jackpot with Shirley McFall, who was the closest to guessing the engine-quitting time.

The day ended with the presentation of show prizes. The following awards were announced:

First place, Les Nyland, Moran, 1915 Ford Model T; second place, Don Benoit, Wells, 1935 Ford Deluxe Sedan.

First place, Joe Giotto, Ishpeming, 1932 Ford three-window coupe; second place, Jerry Baker, Manistique, 1934 Ford five-window.

First place, Bill Leeson, Grayling, 1954 Chevy 210; Second place, Edwin Oswald, Prudenville, 1957 Bel Air.

First place, Dan Drifka and Dawn Fifarek, Peshtigo, 1950 Ford Coupe; second place, Tim Boucher, Escanaba, 1953 Chevy 210.

First place, Bob Brown and George Collar, Wisconsin Rapids, 1966 Corvette; second place, Rick Mengel, Prudenville, 1967 Ford Fairlane.

First place, Neil Auberg, Escanaba, 1967 Nova SS; second place, Kevin Gasman, Escanaba, 1965 Mustang.

First place, JoAnn Baker, Manistique, 1968 Chevrolet Camaro; second place, Terrill Michalik, Gladstone, 1968 Oldsmobile 442 convertible.

First place, Kyle Baker, Manistique, 1969 Corvette; second place, Gary Guindon, Bark River, 1968 Chevrolet Camaro.

First place, Earl Poppema, Allegan, 1985 Buick Grand National; second place, Lynn MacGregor, Manistique, 1975 Bricklin.

Dave Menard, Escanaba, 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle SS; second place, Angela Mc-Gahan, Gulliver, 1977 Corvette.

First place, Mike Wilson, Gulliver, 2007 Ford Mustang GT; second place, Verle Wetherwax, East Clio, 1991 Camaro.

First place, George Carroll IV, Manistique, 1990 Ford Mustang GT; second place, Michelle LaVigne, Manistique, 1999 Camaro.

First place, Chris and Kirt Case, Munising, 1946 Chevrolet half-ton pickup; David Broeders, Bark River, 1948 Dodge.

First place, Clint Stauffer, Roscommon, 1928 Ford Model A; second place, Bryon Johnson, Manistique, 1955 Chevy pickup.

First place, Darrell Dixson, Manistique, 1990 Chevrolet Silverado SS; second place, Merv Dake, Newberry, 1974 Dodge D-100.

First place, David and Heidi Shope, Rapid River, 1966 GMC pickup; second place, Tom Borton, Houghton Lake, 1966 Chevrolet pickup.

First place, Ryan Johnson, Marquette, 1999 Pontiac Grand Am.

First place, Bob Benson, Rapid River, 1993 MG kit car; second place, Ralph Miller, Gladstone, 1965 GT 65.

Phil Drake, Roscoe, Ill., 1970 Sno Pack.

Bob Lindquist, Manistique, 1970 Ariens Arrow.

Doug Wilson, East Jordan, 1963 Polaris K 95.

Joe Francis, Manistique, 1971 Rupp Magnum 800.

First place, Doug Wilson, East Jordan, 1963 Polaris K 95; second place, Marty Griffore, Mancelona, 1964 Husky 200; third place, Mark Williams, Gulliver, 1963 Polaris Sno-Traveler.

First place, Roy Groleau, Quinnesec, 1978 Ski Doo Blizzard; second place, Joe Francis, Manistique, 1976 Rupp Magnum 250; third place, Phil Drake, Roscoe, Ill., 1970 Sno Pack.

First place, Richard Musson, Manistique, 1998 Ski Doo Formula Z 583; second place, Phil Drake, Roscoe, Ill., 1989 Sno Runner.

First place, Marty Griffore, Mancelona, 1973 Lil’ Sno Jet; second place, David Shope, Rapid River, 1972 Arctic Cat Kitty Cat.

The MMA has posted a gallery of photos on its Web site, showing the vehicles that were on display and other show highlights. To find it, go to www. manistiquemerchants.com.