Cochrane Classic Car Club
As a child, I was fascinated with classic cars and hot rods. My dream was to one day own a Porsche 356 convertible, similar to the one that Kelly McGillis drove in Top Gun. Unfortunately, this dream has not materialized; so whenever possible, I jump at the opportunity to hang out with classic cars.
Show and Shine – September 8th
The Cochrane Classic Car Club is a not-for-profit organization that annually hosts a Show taking over Cochrane’s Historic Downtown. Club president Ray Kaczmer explains that, “The purpose of our events is to attract visitors to Cochrane and to encourage information sharing among car enthusiasts.” At their main event, almost 200 car owners cruise in with their pride-and-joy. Hundreds of people wander through the streets to admire the classics. Not only was this a show for enthusiasts, the event gave visitors the opportunity to learn about the cars’ history and the owners’ background stories.
Community of car enthusiasts
En route to lunch, I came across Allan Raybould’s 1951 Fargo FO1 which was a half-ton work truck that shouted out its rustic exterior. Raybould purchased this truck from a private sale and has painstakingly restored it to meet current safety standards. While Raybould has overhauled the guts of the truck, he deliberately kept the exterior in its original state to commemorate Cochrane’s rich farming and ranching traditions. “The truck,” Raybould said, “has really returned to its roots here.”
When we met, Raybould was sitting idly alone which prompted me to ask why he would dedicate an entire day for this event. Without a doubt he said, “I come out because of the community spirit. This is the Cochrane I know and how I want it to be.”
Thursday Night Cruise
I had given up my dream of owning a Porsche 356 some time ago, but coming to Cochrane’s Classic Car Show reignited a childhood fantasy. Owning a classic car is a big commitment. Having the support of a tight-knit community such as the car club and meeting peers at the event can be very helpful. The Cochrane Classic Car Show is a fun and informative event for anyone, especially for novice car enthusiasts like me. Throughout the summer, the club members have a Thursday night cruise, ending up at different locations to showcase their cars. Who knows, this time next year, maybe a childhood fantasy can start to materialize.
Raeann Cheung – guest journalist and photographer
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