Fat Cats, muscle cars and acres of chrome

Bruce Rederford drove away from the Silver Dollar Car Classic knowing two things: He owns a very rare car and he is definitely a Fat Cat.

At least, that's what the judges told him.

Rederford, of Washoe Valley, took home the Fat Cat award for his 1957 Eldorado Brougham at the four-day event in Carson City. His car is one of 703 originally made and only 150 still roadable.

"I've been coming since it started," Rederford said. "It's one of four that I do and it's just a good show."

While Rederford said he just knew he wanted a Brougham, it was NASCAR and Hot August Nights that got Scott Jolly hooked on classic cars. His 1968 Camaro drove away as the Mayor's Pick.

"Being the Mayor's Pick, that's pretty cool and really an honor," Jolly said.

Jolly and wife Nancy found the Camaro online and just after Christmas four years ago, drove down to Chico, Calf., to buy it.

"It was a late Christmas present for him," Nancy said. "It was a dark, cold, icy December 28th."

After a day off Monday, the Camaro is headed to Reno for Hot August Nights.

Yet the most surprised look of the day was on the face of People's Choice Winner Matt Ames, of Carson City.

"This is my first year at the show. I'm just shocked, I didn't even think I'd have a chance," Ames said.

Ames entered his 1956 Delray as a warm-up for Hot August Nights. He found the car several years ago in Washington State and has been fixing it ever since.

"I've been in the area a long time and I always used to tinker with cars. I had several cars in high school that I used to work on," Ames said.

The Silver Dollar Car Classic featured 246 cars and trucks from several states, including Port Angeles, Wash., some 800 miles from Carson City.

"This year we had an absolutely wonderful event. This is one of the best we've been involved in," said Bob Davies, event promoter. "The bar has been set way up for next year's show."

Davies said there was good participation during all four days, including more than 80 cars during the cruise night Thursday evening and the concert Friday night in the Carson Nugget parking lot.

"Everybody helped us out this year, working behind the scenes, and the event really showed it," Davies said.

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.

Award winners at the Silver Dollar Car Classic

People's Choice: 1956 Chevy Delray, Matt Ames, Carson City

Judge's Pick: 1956 Chevy Pickup, Patrick Gard, Folsom, Calif.

Ladies Choice: 1969 Firebird, Sam Shaw, Carson City.

Fat Cat: 1957 Eldorado Brougham, Bruce Rederford, Washoe Valley.

Best Make Out Car: 1956 Dodge Coronet, Gene Hoff, Carson City.

Cruisin' in Style: 1947 Cadillac Convertible, Bob Reid, Gardnerville.

Crafty Chevy: 1961 Chevy Impala, Greg Santucci, Gardnerville.

Kool Mustang: 1966 Mustang Coupe, Jim Fry, Gardnerville.

Kool Camaro: 1967 Chevy Camaro, Mike McKnight, Carson City.

Fire Department Pick: 1934 Ford Roadster, Duane Cropsey, Lodi, Calif.

Sheriff's Pick: 19681Ú2 Mustang California Special, Nate Cerniglia, Carson City.

Mighty Mopar: 1957 Plymouth Fury, John Bickel, Carson City.

Empire Ranch Golf Course Pick: 1956 GMC Flatbed, Rusty Menzel, San Jose, Calif.

Nostalgia Pick: 1927 Custom T, Wesley Abendroth, Carson City.

"E" Ticket Ride: 1958 Lister Roadster, Jack Fleig, Incline Village.

Mighty Ford: 1957 Ford, Norm Miller, Carson City.

Awesome "A": 1930 Ford Model A with trailer, Russell Burch, Camino, Calif.

Most Likely to Succeed: 1963 Buick Wildcat, Ron Hoffman, Reno.

Just Down Right Cool: 1939 American Bantam, Helen Ezell, Dayton.

Carson Nugget Pick: 1964 Chevy Malibu, Richard and Debbie Martineli, Carson City.

Mayor's Pick: 1968 Chevy Camaro, Scott Jolly, Dayton.

Amazing Two-wheeler: 2005 Boss Hoss BH350, Merrill Simon, Mound House.

Sexy Sedan: 1950 Ford Sedan, Sonny Kenzer, Gardnerville.

Mighty Mustang: 1968 Shelby Mustang GT 500, Jim Richardson, Minden.

Sew Fine Interior: 1999 Chevy Tahoe, Jesus Cardiel, Carson City.

Long Distance: 1960 Ford T-Bird, James Paul, Port Angeles, Wash.

Stylin' Grocery Getter: 1956 Chevy Nomad, Ken Brooks, Angel's Camp, Calif.

Sec. of State Pick: 1936 Chevy Truck, Lee Hobold, Carson City.

Concourse Parts Pick: 1932 Ford Roadster, Mel Rose, Minden.

Cool Street Import: 1966 Volvo 1800 S, Donald La Fara, Carson City.

Terrific "T": 1923 Ford Model Touring Car, Lyle Shepley, Dayton.

Mighty Muscle: 1941 Willy's Coupe, Bryon Hisey, Newman, Calif.

Flamin' Freeway: 1951 Ford Tudor, Danny Dodson, Gardnerville.

Most Likely to Get Busted: 1931 Ford Two-door Sedan, Benny Benson, Mound House.

Baddest Truck: 1951 Chevy Pickup, Dan Boque, Livermore, Calif.

Heritage Bank Pick: 1939 Ford Two-door Sedan, Bill Coyle, Carson City.

Mighty Chevy: 1972 Chevy Chevelle, Matt Robideau, Minden.

Imported Magic: 1951 Crosley, Dale Lieberr, Minden.

Les Schwab Pick: 1963 Chevy Impala, Thomas Rettura, Carson City.

Golden State Parts Pick: 1956 Chevy Pickup, Patrick Gard, Folsom, Calif.