Just as the kiddos are heading back to school, hot rodders in Colorado are taking advantage of the warm weather and their last moments of summer break, getting in as much car show action as possible.

This last weekend, for those along the Front Range, it was the Blue Light Special car show put on by the Road Knights car club of Loveland and Fort Collins that satisfied the ever apparent appetite for performance vehicles, old-school cool and a whole lot of fun! Of course, having a native in the area only convinced us more so that this event was worth the trip, but it didn’t take long to understand that proximity had nothing to do with the amazing vehicles we found.

Forward Thinking

Founded in 1981, the Road Knights car club specializes in having fun with street rods and their owners in the Loveland and Fort Collins, Colorado areas. A group of true rod people, the Road Knights not only participate in road rallies, car shows, get-togethers and special event appearances, they also devote time and money to the local community through efforts like their scholarship program.

• 
• 

This year, the Road Knights celebrated their 30^th year of the Blue Light Special car show, an event now held out at The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland. Limited to some 600 vehicles, this year’s show was one of the biggest with not only a major turnout of club members and their rides, but also local and not-so-local enthusiasts aiming to join in the fun.

• 
• 
• 

Classics, Customs and Street Rods

Upon entering the grounds of The Ranch, the same place that the Goodguys Colorado Nationals sets up shop, show-goers were treated to rows and rows of fantastic hot rods. Right inside the gate, members of the Road Knights displayed their vehicles, showing off hot rods created by all different generations.

Right in the front row, three very significant cars greeted hot rod enthusiasts- those cars of the three remaining founding fathers of the Road Knights who are still active in the club; Larry Foster, Dean Buhler and Allen Guffy. While there, we had the pleasure of meeting all three of these men and truly seeing their passions come through in their own personal hot rod styles.

Past the club cars and those of the remaining founding fathers, the events complex was filled with classic cars of all shapes and sizes.

From Model T’s and Deuce Coupes, to classic Camaros and GTOs, everything that was on display followed a Pre-1972 order. While there were several cars there that we had seen previously at other shows, we were pleasantly surprised at how many new faces, both hot rod and human, that we saw.

• 
• 

More Than Just Show and Shine

While the main focus of the Blue Light Special event was the Show and Shine on Sunday, happenings at The Ranch actually kicked off on Friday night with a live band. Then on Saturday, participants enjoyed a cruise, which included stops at Pinkee’s Rod Shop and Custom Auto. Participants also enjoyed a poker walk, horseshoe contest, games for the kids, a “blow up car” demonstration and more live music.

During the show and shine on Sunday, those who entered their vehicles in the show were on constant alert for the many prizes that were being given away, announced over the loud speakers on the event grounds. There were also eats and drinks to be bought, products to be looked through and even NSRA safety inspections to be had. At the three-day event, the NSRA representatives reported doing around 50 safety inspections.

Awards and Giveaways

At one o’clock, just before the windy weather hit, the award ceremony started with Dean Buhler playing host. On hand were most of the Road Knight members who took turns passing out awards for the top 10 hot rods, top 10 street machines and the top three customs.

Also awarded during the ceremony was a special Under 25 Award, and a handful of memorial awards, given out in honor of one Road Knights member who passed in 1995 and two other area car club members who passed away tragically within the last year.

Other honorees at the show included six participants that have been to all 30 Blue Light Special car shows and three men from Canada, who were awarded for being the furthest traveled for the 30^th anniversary show.

Awards weren’t the only things presented at the awards ceremony as countless show-goers walked away with amazing giveaways like cash, new shop tools, flamed refrigerators and even a custom couch in the form of a rearend of a classic Chrysler from Sandy’s Upholstery of Loveland.

The Blue Light Special car show was an absolute blast and we can’t wait to see it next year. Be sure to stay tuned as we explore even more shows from the Colorado Front Range and dive into a car feature with one of the fine rides we found at this weekend’s event.  

For more pictures from the 2013 Blue Light Special show, check out the GALLERY below!