The Comstock got the first taste of Hot August Nights on Friday and Saturday.
Dozens of cars littered C Street in Virginia City, from familiar classics to custom creations.
“This is really a lot of fun. A lot of good people are out here, and the cars are just gorgeous,” says Terry Abts, who’s visiting from Carson City.
Kevin MacDonald brought his 1969 El Camino SS. He says it reminds him of old times.
Kevin MacDonald says his 1969 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396 reminds him of old times.
“I had one when I was in high school,” he says. “So, when I started looking for an older car again, my wife suggested, ‘hey, let's go look at some El Caminos.’”
While many owners like MacDonald purchased their cars or restored them to former glory, others started from scratch.
“A ‘54 dodge cab is what I started with, and I hand-built it from there, and it took about ten years all told,” says Mike Cupp.
With a belt of 50-caliber rounds and many small details, Mike Cupp says his custom-built rat rod serves as a piece of eye candy and so much more.
“You'll see a lot of warbird parts on here from World War II to the present day, primarily Vietnam,” Cupp says. “And all of it is set up as a tribute to my fellow soldiers, literally, anybody who has served, predominantly Vietnam veterans."
Mike Cupp hand built his rat rod, starting with a 1954 Dodge cab, and finishing with a car that serves as a rolling tribute to veterans.
Cupp served in the Air Force during Vietnam.
Right away, you'll noticed the two replica bombs strapped to the bed. Each one is signed all over by veterans of the Vietnam War. Cupp says he's going to take them to be displayed at a museum in Tacoma, Washington. He says he’s done so twice before.
But his favorite thing about the car? The people that stop by to see it.
“I absolutely love the fact that people of all walks of life stop and take a look at it,” Cupp says. “And I love to put kids inside, and I have an ‘awooga horn’ for them so they can honk their horn why they're sitting in there."
Hot August Nights continues with Cruisin' for a Cure on Sunday at the Bonanza Casino, and Reno-Sparks venues officially open on Monday.
You can find the full schedule below.
