Bonham -- Yes, the Hudsons and Packards were in town Saturday, but, no, it wasn't a family reunion. Although it was a reunion of sorts for vintage vehicle buffs when the 43rd Annual Bug Tussle Trek came rumbling into Bonham Saturday morning.

Hudson Motor Company merged with Nash and later American Motors, but even for those too young to remember any of those automotive manufacturers, this colorful caravan was an impressive sight Saturday.

Trekkers gathered in Farmersville this year and then started their annual automotive rally across North Texas, with the Model A brigade out front to set a leisurely pace and everything from muscle cars to vintage military vehicles trailing along behind.  Studebakers, Chryslers and Cadillacs, once competitors and now compatriots, came gliding into Bonham slightly after 10:00 a.m. Saturday with chrome flashing in the sunlight and police lights flashing an escort.  

And it was only fitting that this procession of classic vehicles made their way to Creative Arts Center because most of these machines are recognized worldwide as examples of American art; just admire the sweeping contour lines of any Thunderbird made in the 50s. It was the heyday of the U.S. automotive industry and these were rolling monuments to mass prosperity.

They always will be, only now that heyday comes along but one very special day each year when nothing on the road compares with this assemblage of shiny paint, polished chrome, rumbling engines and good old American know-how. Every vehicle, regardless of the make and model, has one thing in common: these become more valuable with each passing day. They just don't make 'em like this anymore.

Bonham officials turned out to welcome Trekkers to Bonham, with Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd and Bonham City Manager Corby Alexander voicing their pleasure that this popular automotive tour would pause for refreshments in Bonham, courtesy of the crew at Creative Arts Center.

A quick tour of Creative Center came next as Trekkers enjoyed coffee or tea and a light midday snack.

Then it was time to fire up the engines and point the hood ornament towards Honey Grove, the next stop along the way.  Trekkers would also stop in Roxton before rolling into their destination for Saturday night, Paris, Texas.  A banquet held Saturday night at Paris Junior College was one of the many highlights of this journey.