An annual extravaganza of automotive splendor took place last Sunday at Engels Repair & Towing, a vintage Maury Island gas station owned by the Engels family since 1951.
The mom-and-pop station is a picturesque place with retro pumps and a garage next to an adjoining field, edged by a graveyard of haunted jalopies and entropic old trucks peeking through blackberry bramble.
But in that field on Sunday, engines roared and hoods opened to reveal the handiwork of mechanics who have busted their knuckles for years to keep their vintage chariots, hot rods, and roadsters rolling down the road.
The car show, as usual, attracted car collectors on the island and beyond, with more than 200 vehicles on view. Organizer Paul Engels said a few collectors had not come this year after a wild thunderstorm on Saturday night dumped rain on the Puget Sound region.
But the downpour was not all bad, said Paul’s mother, Connie Engels — it kept the dust down in the field.
Even the band playing on Sunday was a blast from the past.
A reconstituted version of the Doily Brothers — an iconic island band formed in the 1970s — played high-octane rock gems, while hamburgers, hotdogs, and taco meat sizzled on nearby grills set up by La Isla Mexican Mexican Food.
Band members on Sunday included original members Brett Bacchus and Scotty Johnson, joined by alums Loren Sinner and Jerry Todo, and newcomer Joel Tipke.
The Doily’s frontman, Michael Spakowsky, died in 2014, but his spirit is still felt at the car show.
Paul credited the idea for the car show to Spakowsky, who had a brainstorm more than two decades ago while hanging out at a local drinking establishment, telling Paul, “Hey, you should have the Doily Brothers play at the gas station, and cook some hamburgers and hot dogs, and get some guys to bring their hot rods.”
Later that year, Spakowsky’s beautiful barroom epiphany came to pass, and a tradition was born on Maury Island.
Connie and Lou Engels, the king and queen of Engels Towing & Repair, held court at the car show’s sign-in table. (Tom Hughes photo)
Connie and Lou Engels, the king and queen of Engels Towing & Repair, held court at the car show’s sign-in table. (Tom Hughes photo)
Pepa Brower (in striped pants, center) hobnobbed with friends in front of her husband Dre Neeley’s prized vintage Cadillac. The couple owns Gravy, a noted restaurant on Vashon. (Tom Hughes photo)
Richard Rollins (left) who completely rebuilt his 1930 Model A Roadster from parts, drove from Rochester, Washington, to the car show — and was warmly welcomed by his old friend, Paul Engels.
A wild thunderstorm passed over the island on Saturday night, but Sunday brought perfect sunbathing weather to the car show. (Tom Hughes photo)
A reconstituted version of the Doiley Brothers rocked the stage set up by the gas station’s retro pumps. (Tom Hughes photo)
