7th Annual Polar Bear Run

    The Polar Bear Run is superbly organized and supervised by Fred Fann, President of the Car Club Council of Central Virginia (CCCCVA).  Each year, some of our brave HVPR club members attend this "first event of the year", and have found it to be a wonderful way to discover some new places to explore.  Although we live in the state, we don't always take the time to visit our own tourist attractions.  Combining that with using our antique vehicles for the first time in the new year makes for a taste of what this next year might have in store for us.  

     This year HVPR supplied about 9 cars for the run, which took us about 75 miles up the road to Chesterfield, VA for the start point.  After all was said and done, we had traveled about 225 miles !  A great time was had by all.  We saw all-time high attendance with cars from more than 9 different clubs running with us.  I can remember the old days when there'd be maybe 30 of us sitting down for lunch - - this year we had about 90 ! ! !  And, the temp this year never went above freezing - truly "polar bear" type weather ! ! 

     Last year, Mother Nature decided to drop some snow, as well as near-record low temperatures, and the event was postponed until the last Saturday of the month.  However, it turned out to be a another great run which was to Suffolk.  This year we sneaked by with Mother Nature holding off until Sunday to drop a load of snow on us.  Whew!

     The destination, and stops along the way, are always a mystery.  We are not told ahead of time where they are taking the group until we arrive at the starting point, which was the Chesterfield Meadows shopping center parking lot, where some 50 vehicles and over 90 people gathered.  We left promptly at 9 AM for the run - well, most of the crowd did.  Jim Bostic's "Cordoba" decided not to start, so the rest of us HVPR members gathered 'round the car to see "wassa-matter with it, Jim?" 

    After some tire kicking and checking, it was found to be the wires leading to the ballast resistor (I've just been told that this is the resistor that controls the ballast in a MOPAR ! !).  We were all given directions to the mystery site before the majority of the group left, so after getting Jim's car started we eventually caught up with the run. 

Just a few pictures of members from several clubs gathering at the Chesterfield Meadows Shopping Center parking lot to start the "mystery run".

One of the PT Cruiser's showing a beautiful mural of what they do best.... cruising.  

Two more of the beautiful PT Cruisers that attended the run.

After leaving Chesterfield Meadows, we traveled Route 10 to Route 288 and took the Old Hundred Road exit.  After a few miles we arrived at the estate of Ed and Carole Nunnally.  The Polar Bear Run participant vehicles circled the two large buildings that house a terrific automotive museum and a building with Carole's art, and some antique carts and carriages.  The travelers were treated to coffee, orange juice, and pastries in a lovely lounge setting.

A variety of buggies and a buckboard wagon !

A 1934 Ford V8 "Bonnie & Clyde" along side of a 1930 Ford Model A Roadster!

Hal Hartel's Mustang waiting for gas at an antique gas pump.  Another artifact collected by the Nunnally's and placed appropriately for all to enjoy.   Ah, those were the days you had to use "cash" to pay for your purchase!

A 1950 Chrysler "Woody" is next for restoration !

Want to see more pictures?  Check the CCCCVA website www.carclubcouncil.com  for additional photos of other cars that attended this event.

Make plans to attend next year's event, which is tentatively scheduled for January 22, 2005.