PORT TOWNSEND — Something special happens when the interests of car enthusiasts and those fascinated by military lore intersect.
“People love old cars and trucks, and seeing one with a gun on top can be really exciting,” said Steve Bailey, who is managing the fifth annual Historic Military Vehicle Show taking place at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend this weekend.
The show, which is expected to exhibit dozens of vehicles, will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday at the park’s Artillery Hill.
Admission is free.
The show features vehicles used in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, including jeeps, trucks, ambulances, motorcycles, service vehicles, trailers and scout cars.
Owners invited
It’s an informal participatory activity — those who own such vehicles are invited to come down and join in.
This adds to the unpredictably of the event and offers the chance for attendees to see something unique.
It also means Bailey has only a cursory idea of who will show up and what they will bring.
He does expect that a Sequim collector will bring a Liberty Cadillac, a rare vehicle that the car company built especially for the armed forces in World War I.
“It wasn’t a combat vehicle but was used to drive officers around,” Bailey said.
“I’m told this is the last one in existence.”
Still functional
Most of the vehicles will arrive under their own steam, so some motorists may be surprised to pass a jeep with an attached machine-gun turret.
Motorcycle enthusiasts may spot a vintage military-green World War II bike whizzing by, with thin tires and a white star painted on the gas tank.
“The people with vintage bikes really love to drive them in,” Bailey said.
In addition, there will be a display tent of World War I artifacts as well as re-enactors from the Spanish American War period, including an appearance by Port Angeles resident Ron Browning in Teddy Roose-velt garb.
Visitors can park near the state park’s entrance or walk in, then take advantage of free rides in a vintage vehicle up to Artillery Hill.
The Harbor Entrance Command Post, the Coast Artillery Museum and the Commanding Officer’s Quarters will be open for tours.
Fees are charged for admission to the Coast Artillery Museum — $3 for adults, $1 for children 6-12, $7 for families and free for children 5 and younger — and the Commanding Officer’s Quarters — $4 for adults, $1 for children 3-12 and free for children younger than 3.
The event is hosted by the West Sound Military Vehicle Preservation Club, the Puget Sound Coastal Artillery Museum and the Commanding Officer’s Quarters Museum.
For more information, phone 360-385-0373 or visit www.wsmvpc.org.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.