Rubber meets road at Ignite the Nites

Ivan Troyer was one of the first charter members of the Igniters Car Club, which started in 1961 at a local coffee shop, and now, Nick Grotjohn is likely the youngest.

Both Troyer and Grotjohn are part of the event that has become one of the most popular and crowd-drawing weekends of the year for Libby: Ignite the Nites.

Grotjohn, 27, is a more recent transplant to the Igniters community. He joined about 12 years ago when he was in high school. His family wasn’t involved in the car culture, but he fell into the hobby when he worked at Libby Auto Sales, where Igniters member Dave Swenson and his son inspired Grotjohn to join.

His first car was a 1984 gray Toyota pickup, which he bought when we was 14, before he could even drive. He painted the pickup and put wheels on his new ride so it was ready for him to drive when he got his license.

He joined the club when he was either a sophomore or a junior in high school: “whenever I could drive,” Grotjohn said.

“It’s possible I’m the youngest member right now,” Grotjohn said. “But if I’m not, I definitely have been before.

Being around the more experienced and seasoned car enthusihas rubbed off on Grotjohn. He said he’s learned a lot from the other Igniters members, from car bodies to painting skills.

“I enjoy the people who are a part of the club,” Grotjohn said. “The club does a lot of great things for the community. It’s really improved its image in Libby by being involved in local things that happen through the year. It’s fun to be a part of something like that. It’s a good group.”

Troyer got his first car when he got out of high school, too. He said seeing a car finished gave him a great sense of accomplishment. It was a 1949 Chevy. He doesn’t participate in the burnouts or the drag races, but instead, shows off his 1957 four-door silver-top and maroon Chevy Bel Air that took five years to finish. But his car isn’t for the crowds — it’s also for his family.

“Do you remember the show Happy Days?” Troyer said. “This car’s a four-door like those cars. We tell people it’s our ‘Happy Days mom-and-pop cruiser.’ It’s built for the family.”

Grotjohn’s newest car is a 1970 Chevelle with black and orange stripes. It was finished last year, and Grotjohn said he’ll use it in the Friday cruise and the poker run. Both Grotjohn and Troyer mainly participate by showing their vehicles in the rides, they are glad to help out the event.

Grotjohn helps out with the burnout, and he said he does whatever needs to get done. Troyer helps with the registration, and said that car owners are so eager that even though registration is at 3 p.m. Friday, people are ready to register at noon to hit the road.

When thinking about the event, Troyer said Libby turns into a completely different town: it becomes lively and packed from Timberline Auto to the Mint Bar. People shop downtown, and strangers become friends. “It’s nice to see all the cars that come to town. You meet a lot of people. You talk to a lot of people.

“It’s a great event because it’s a free show for the public,” Troyer said. “People come from all over to see these great cars and see the cool things the owners do with them.

But it’s also for Libby. We really put this on for the people of Libby to come out and see how great the town can be.”

For Grotjohn and Troyer, being part of the event and the club is a great chance for them to show their love for the car. But, at the heart of it, the best part is working on the cars themselves.

“I just like to work on the cars,” Grotjohn said. “It’s fun to drive them when they’re done. And I’m glad I can be part of a group that likes to do the same thing.”