The Engines of a Time Machine

By Tasia DeMuth

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Amongst hundreds of old vintage cars sat an elderly couple smiling about the array of antique vehicles. The woman wore a glittering red hat, covered in sequins and kindly rolled her eyes as her husband discussed his collection of cars.

James and Marilyn Fargo are two of many car enthusiasts who came to share their vintage vehicles with the public on Saturday, Sept. 11, at Nelsen’s Old Town Car Show. The event, which lasted from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., was free for the community to come and experience antique cars for themselves. Hundreds of hot rods and classic cars, dating back to the early thirties, lined Walnut Street and Mountain Avenue.

The cars were the stars of the show and spectators were free to touch and look at each vehicle. On the sidewalk, behind their cars, sat owners eagerly waiting to answer questions and to talk about the cars they’ve spent so much time and money on.

The Fargo’s were quick to explain that collecting vintage cars is an expensive hobby. However, they feel the money is well spent when owners as well as the public get to enjoy a piece of American history, at events such as Nelsen’s Old Town Car Show. For this year’s show Fargo showed his 1933 cream-colored Ford Sedan.

“It’s (’33 Ford) a thing of beauty, and the rest of them are too,” Fargo said. “And when you’re car crazy, it’s great to be able to see the different cars and the creativity.”

Further down the street sat Dave Livinghouse, a veteran to the car show. He has participated in the event for seven years and he keeps coming back because he thinks his collection of Model T’s and Model A’s deserve to be shown.

“It’s something that this generation haven’t seen,” Livinghouse said. “They’ve never been able to touch one, see one, ride in one, or even drive one.”

Though all of his cars have interesting stories, one stands out to Livinghouse as especially unique. The car he used in his wedding was later bought to be driven by Bruce Willis in the movie “The Last Man Standing.” During filming the car got shot up.

Peggy Lyle of the Fort Collins Business Association not only appreciates the history of each car, but also appreciates what the event does for Fort Collins.

The show gives “lots of great exposure for Downtown Fort Collins, a chance to celebrate classic and custom cars/trucks as well as a great free event for the community,” Lyle said.

These are some of many reasons that the show continues. Each year, more and more cars from the Front Range area come to be a part of the event. These cars for one brief Saturday revert Fort Collins’ streets back several decades to an era that most only know about from their history textbooks.

As the car show began to wrap up, Marilyn Fargo’s red sequin hat could be seen bobbing through the crowd. Close behind James Fargo followed his “sweetheart” around for one last look at the cars that soon would be back in their barns and trailers, invisible to the public.