Event Coverage THE END OF AN ERA, BEACHES FINALE

Nearly 30 years of summer, Wednesday evening car shows comes to an end this afternoon. Mark Mathias, the owner of Beaches restaurant and cruise in sponsor/organizer is calling it quits. The restaurant will close December 31st but the car show ends today. It was scheduled to wrap up last Wednesday but a good dose of "PNW sunshine" rained it out.

The weather today is perfect, clear skies, 75. Like I said, perfect. I just cleaned up Mrs. BB's truck and I plan to head over around 3:00. It should be packed! The Slo Poks are the featured car club so they get to park under the willows in the shade. The rest of us losers will be out in the field suntanning.

These shows started in the restaurant parking lot decades ago. Originally for Harleys and Corvettes, I had a vette so that's where I hung out on Wednesdays. They had a sand volleyball pit, horseshoes, drinks and excellent BBQ. Between the lot being built on and the popularity of the event it soon outgrew the restaurant and the event was moved to Portland International Raceway just a few miles away across the Columbia. Open to just about everything that moves of automobile interest. It has been an amazing run! Thanks Mark and crew!

I am throwing a quick charge on my phone so I can bring you all some pictures of this evenings entertainment.

For the locals reading along, I will see you at the show.

 

See you there Bill!
Last Beaches show, but these shows will continue with PIR management now taking over the shows. No word yet what they will call the show?
I'm excited as I was out of town 6 days and thought I'd missed the last show! Rains saved me from missing it now!

 

I drove my Roadster to Beaches in 1996. I went with Dan Leedom, Dennis Leedom, Ken Smith, Sam Parker, and probably a few others. It was a really good time.

 

Beach's went to Peason Air Park after leaving the restaurant and then to PIR.
The event will continue next year under new management according to one of the employee's I talked to directing traffic.

 

I saw you drive by and called out, but you didn't hear me. You could have been avoiding me, for good reasons !

 

Beaches has been announcing throughout the season that the event will continue without Mark and Ali who owned the restaurant that it started at. So from what I understand the dragstrip manager is taking over the event next year, and has hired a lady who will oversee the event. No idea what name will be on it, but pretty sure whatever it's called all us oldtimers will continue to call it Beaches still.

 

Here’s some pulling in. The line to get in started at the freeway off ramp, went all the way back to the golf course and then back to PIR. A kitty off over heating and a few roll backs at the end of the evening.

this is where I was sitting waiting for a buddy who was running late…and cooling down the truck a bit. Gauge said 220 +, buy no puking or steam. I’ll have to check that gauge.

 

How’ bout some trucks? I had a father in law once (my extended family) that was a long haul trucker. He hated calling these trucks, they were pickups. So, out of respect, here are some trucks!

yeah, the purple one was packin!

 

This belongs to a buddy, he built it “ala Eleanor”. A take of a corvette hot rod set against the back drop of “gone in 60 seconds”

I told him to get a NCRS sticker for the wing windows like @Moriarity has in his.

 

Every week a different car club gets to park under the willows, across from the grand stand. That’s a cool tradition. Unless I am wrong, and I’m never wrong, the host club also picks the show winners.

All I know is the trees are a welcome respite on a warm evening…And that’s near the beer tent.

 

I did a” 4 direction “ shot to try to capture the sheer size of this show. We heard the final tally was 1650 cars.

 

They have BIG shoes to fill!

 

Juxtaposition. A Woodie, and a “not”

 

This Buick was fine. Perfect black paint, perfect chrome, leather interior, Buick wires…for sale. $35,000. You can’t paint and pay for chrome for that price!!!

 

Photo montage. The quality level of the cars was off the hook for an out door show and shine.
this one needs a couple more tail lights where the number plate is.

 

This is the charity thermometer that has been at the events for ever.

Nice work Mark.
After walking until my dogs were barking loud enough to scare women and children I returned to my truck to find I was selected as a show winner. I was the last to arrive at the stage

They chose 10 or so vehicles as Show Winners.


Beautiful ending to a fantastic car show. You know, ya know, it’s more than that. More than just painted and polished transportation. It’s the builders, owners, oglers, old friends, new friends, a commonality and comradery. We were lucky.

The Swag! Nice honor being this is the final show. I got the shirt in my wife’s size, it’s her truck. I’m just the builder/mechanic.

will this be the last? We hear someone is taking it over but this race track and adjacent property belongs to the City of Portland, anything goes.

We will see next summer until then, drive em like you stole em. BB.

 

Rain can be our friend!

That is correct. I forgot about that. I remember one night parking near the DC3 and getting some cool pictures.

Marty, was that around 6:30? I heard someone holler but I was late for the awards. The paper they put in the truck said to be at the grandstand no later than 6:30 and it was 6:25 when I found the paper. I was hot footing it up there. Didn't mean to be rude and I am sorry I did catch up with you last night.

And I didn't catch up with you either! I didn't even see your car! There were so many cars there it was nearly impossible to take it all in. Especially with it getting dark at 7:30 and I didn't get there until 4:00. It has been a great ride. I thanked Mark last night for all the years.

My new office is across the street from Beaches restaurant, I walk over there a few times a week for lunch, good food. I will miss them. Oswego Grill purchased it, I hear good things about their menu.

 

Mrs. B B congrat's on the neat award. I received a large bronze. enameled belt buckle at a Jackson Hole car show that said pre-1949 top five. I know to have that bestowed on your car brings lump in your throat. Enjoy your hard work & Billy's too. Times like this do not come often & sometime never again. Good on ya!!! This week has been just awful with all the great guys passing on, brings a lump in your throat.
Burn out Bob

 

Great shots, wish we could have that turnout around here.

 

Great pictures thanks.

 

Maybe they'll consider naming it the "Sons Of Beaches"?

 

Amazing the turnout this show gets as a weekly event along with the quality of the cars it attracts.
Thanks for sharing your coverage.

 

Interested in that Buick, do you have any closer shot of the sign for contact info?

 

Lots to shoot there! Thanks for the share.

 

With the line coming in being so long there were numerous casualties from overheating. I knew it would be long, so got there an hour early and I was still probably a half mile away from the gate!
We ran out of steam walking around as one of my friends uses a cane, and we had to go back to our cars after walking just half of the show. I heard over 1600 cars also, but considering where they had cars stuffed in places we never get cars parked, I think that estimate was way low. Similar sized Beaches events in the past were 1900 cars, and this one looked just as full.
Can't wait for next year! It's going to be a long 8 months until the next show there!

 

BB, thanks for the great pics & event coverage! Sorry to hear that this is the last one!

 

Local (40 miles from me) town has a one Saturday per month cruise night that has drawn up to 1000 cars parking on the downtown streets. They collect $10 for each car that attends with the proceeds going to local charities. Included in your goodie bag are a few raffle tickets for the donated small prizes. I’ve seen cars from Indiana,Wisconsin as well Iowa show up.
Quite a moneymaker for the locals as well……..win win situation.

 

Of I had to guess 503-865-2875
The 503 is Portland area code. The last 4 are clear.