Without as much as even a hiccup, this year’s Lipstick Run was over before we knew what hit us. We had rounded up the usual go getting’ crowd; besides myself, Barb from Brandon, (34 Ford Pickup) and Kathy Milne of Winnipeg, (38 Chevy). New participant this year was Marlene Dawson who is by trade a school bus driver. As her bus is not of a vintage age, she co-piloted with Kathy and had the opportunity of riding/driving with all of us.

We scampered out of Winnipeg early Monday and spent the evening at friends Jules & Jeff Comfort in Mpls. It was really great to kick back and relax and both were extremely hospitable – many thanks. Both days were very cool and my “Jim Howard Special” heated suit once again rescued me, keeping me toasty. Next day we hit the interstate and again saw nothing but concrete and mind numbing interstate. Day three we grabbed a small two-lane road and were happy camperettes. Plenty of time to ride 55 mph and see quaint little towns in Indiana and Illinois. Wednesday we arrived in Ohio, and spent Thursday doing the Poker Run, looking at cars and then taking in the kick off party. The poker run wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Catered to children and seniors; by the time we reached the chocolate factory, we fled kicking and screaming all the way. We drove to see cars by golly. The kick off party was virtually non-existent as the parking lot party was where the real action was – and where we were too. We saw many familiar faces, and made some new friends. The next four days we spent at the car show, walking, gawking at cars, and strolling the many vendors. Paul Atkins of Paul Atkins Interiors jumped on board to become one our new sponsors, as did Frank at The Finish Line in Chenoa, Illinois. Comical C.W. Yearwood didn’t have a chance to run as we cornered him, and Kevin at Fat Man Fabrications kicked in as well.

Posies new ride, a 30 Model A Pickup was chopped and channelled and scooped Best Trick Truck Award. You couldn’t miss it – it was parked just outside the exhibitor building and had the massive crowd hovering around it. Another ride that blew us away was Kevin and Linda Cares 34 Ford 3 window coupe from CT. Painted Sunburst Yellow with wrap around red hot chilli peppers it resembled the Pierson Brothers Coupe and the Inglese stacks atop the blower sat higher then Barb. Loud and wild, it made guys drool and women jump when it pulled into the Hotrods and Horsepower booth.

Next we visited with Barb and Patti over at Outlaw Performance. They had many glass bodies on display and their new line of Outlaw Ragz. From there we stopped in at Rats Glass where we ran into fellow cohort Bobby Alloway. Bobby loaded us with some stuff (can you ever have enough stuff?) and after visiting we carried on to the vendor building.

The weather was perfect, right up until Sunday after awards when it poured down. We had a great time at the show, met many new friends and all round had a roar – as usual.

Leaving Ohio Sunday we took our sweet time running down the road. We took a different route home, crawling up Lake Michigan and into its many harbours. After a short ferry ride, we arrived at Put-In-Bay. Quaint village just off the shore of Lake Michigan. Very few cars, and mostly bicycles, and golf carts had the run of the streets. We walked the entire bay in the day and rented a golf cart for extra fun. Marlene jumped in behind the wheel and was happy to drive us around. Many bars, restaurants and mostly shops. It was a fun day spent playing tourist, but I really miss the rod shop tours…... Next we ran the two lane roads North. We shared hits and giggles all the way back to Canada.

Next year is our 10th anniversary of The Lipstick Run – we go! Tentative plans are for Small Town America. Want us to invade your run for fun or your cruise nite? Email us at lipstickrun@yahoo.com or write Lipstick Run 110 Laurentia Bay, Winnipeg, Mb. Canada
R2C 0H1. See ya in 05!

1. The 2004 Lipstick Run girls – all dressed up and no pageant to go to. L to R are, Barb Balanyk, Kathy Milne, Marlene Dawson and myself.	2. Aside from Jeg’s Store, Rahal Racing was the only shop tour on the Poker Run – thank goodness for small miracles.	3. Mark Kirby of Motor City Flathead is back in good health and business is booming again. If you want to speak “ FLATHEAD”, he’s the man.	4. I just like it – Shark Attack?
This 2 door red 48 DeSoto from Troy, Ohio is owned by David Rudy and runs a Viper engine	This 2 door red 48 DeSoto from Troy, Ohio is owned by David Rudy and runs a Viper engine	Kevin Care’s 34 three window from Old Saybrook, CT. runs a 392 Hemi with an 8.71 supercharger and Inglese Induction with Weber carbs. It stands taller than Barb.	8. 41 Candy Apple Willys from Lancaster, Ohio was indeed eye candy. Owner Ken Kuzma stuffed a 502 ramjet crate motor inside, T.P.I., air ride, leather interior with shark inserts and had the kids from Airtight Graphics in Columbus do up the flawless paint.
48 Chevy Sedan Delivery with air ride is owned by Robert Morris in Wall, N.J. and runs a blueprinted 355 with a 350 and Nova rear. It has 48 Buick doors, a 46 Olds grill, the hood is peaked and the power licence plate hides a colour camera.	I couldn’t help but drool all over this 1918 Ford Roadster with a small block and all kinds of hand crafted spider stuff. Talented owner is Jeffrey Spry of Berberton, Ohio.	I couldn’t help but drool all over this 1918 Ford Roadster with a small block and all kinds of hand crafted spider stuff. Talented owner is Jeffrey Spry of Berberton, Ohio.	Course that Lincoln C-Cab Delivery V12 grabs your attention right now. Owner Reuben Peterson of Groveport, Ohio says it’s a drive as you build, father/son project.
Course that Lincoln C-Cab Delivery V12 grabs your attention right now. Owner Reuben Peterson of Groveport, Ohio says it’s a drive as you build, father/son project.	Purple 62 Thunderbird has a 460 C.I. engine and was built by Irv Klair of Wilmington, Delaware.	Your can always spot a Rat’s Glass car a mile away – they look sleek and hug the pavement. This 34 was candy apple red and had baby back windows. Wow!	23 Ford T-Bucket Rad Rod ran a 355 Chevy with a 700R4 trany and was from Cross Lanes, West Virginia. Lynnwood Casto is proud owner.
Fairground cruising at its best in this hemi powered 23 turtle deck Ford Roadster. Owner is Julius Sikola of Bellville, Ohio	18. We happened upon this one-day antique car show in the Irish Hills of South eastern Michigan, at the Michigan International Speedway.	19. Breath taking view of this South Haven lighthouse along the Lake Michigan shoreline – we don’t see this on the prairies.

Story and photos by Liz Kitzul Lipstick Run, 110 Laurentia Bay, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R2C 0H1 hotrodliz@yahoo,com