If you know anything about Lake Havasu, you know there are plenty of car shows so if you love classic cars like the 1964 chevrolet chevelle, you’ve got to make an appearance. And quite possibly one of the biggest shows will be the First Annual Havasu Deuces Car Show scheduled for March 5, 2016. What makes this show so special? It will feature hundreds of 1932 Ford roadsters—the epitome of the classic American hot rod. Dick Raczuk, a founder of the recently formed Havasu Deuces, figures that Havasu is home to more 1932 Fords (per capita) than any other location in the world. Classic Fords and hotrods are hugely appealing to many car fanatics around the country and, until the dawn of automobile sales websites like Zemotor, have been relatively difficult for motorists to source and locate. Convenient listings on the web have changed all this so now the sale and purchase of these classic vehicles is easier than ever.
A close up shot of the powerful V8 engine in Dick’s 1932 roadster.
The show will be modeled after the Northwest Deuce Days car show in Victoria, B.C., a once-every-three-years show that brings in thousands of ’32 Ford car enthusiasts. Havasu Deuces’ goal is to make their event the largest classic Fords show in the country. Formed as a 501c3 non-profit in the spring of 2015, the Havasu Deuces have selected the Lake Havasu Unified School District as the recipient of profits—going towards fees for kids that couldn’t otherwise afford to take part in athletics. Don Sauberan, another founding member, notes that the money will be disbursed on a case-by-case basis so the kids that really need the money to play sports will have access to it. “An account has been set up at Mohave State Bank, and we hope that the community will get behind this worthwhile event,” notes Don.
The March 5th show will be held at the Ballfields at Rotary Park, with a large 40’ x 120’ tent set up to feature the best of the best vehicles. Not wanting to limit the show to just classic 1932 Fords, anyone that owns a ’57 Ford or earlier can display their vehicle.
A sneak peek at one of the preliminary designs for the First Annual Havasu Deuces Car Show t-shirt.
Raczuk says interest for this show is really high and that they already have commitments from ’32 Ford owners from as far away as Canada, New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas. Local interest has also been building, and a number of food vendors will be offering a variety of treats for sale at the show. A beer garden will be set up, and Romer Beverage Company in Lake Havasu has agreed to donate the beer. In addition, there will be lively music by the local band, Rockin’ Relics, who have also volunteered their time to help out the cause.
One highlight of the show will be an original 1932 Ford Roadster owned by 87 year old Corky Schneider. As the story goes, Corky worked for the Don Blair Speed Shop in southern California and bought the car in 1948 for $25. Other unique features will be a Garage Tour the day before for people coming in to town. Raczuk is quick to point out that there are a number of owners of ’32 Fords in town that have some classic collections in their garages—the tour will feature stops at some of these locations. Also on the afternoon of March, 4, McCulloch Blvd. will come alive with hundreds of classic Ford vehicles on display—from 1932 hot rods and roadsters clear through 57’s. This will clearly be an impressive gathering of like-minded Ford enthusiasts to show off these classic cars.
Raczuk and Sauberan, along with original Havasu Deuces founders Don Schulz, Joe Mitchell, and Barry Serlis all have a lifelong love for cars and hot rods. Raczuk has spent most of his life involved in the go-cart, motorcycle and automotive industries, and was the owner of Kendick Engineering and Kerker Exhausts, the #1 supplier of motorcycle exhausts in the world. It is that same passion that he brings to Havasu for Deuces, as the classic Fords are affectionately called, owning several of them, as well as other classic vehicles such as a 1941 BSA motorcycle. The classic motorcycle was purchased with less than 200 miles on it and was found in a crate on a movie lot where it was used as a prop for filming war pictures.
The entire group at Havasu Deuces hopes to put Lake Havasu on the map as the car show location for ’32 Ford roadsters—they appear to be well on their way! Anyone interested in registering a vehicle for the car show, or just wanting more information, can visit their website at www.HavasuDeuces.com