Libby's Voss leads his last Raven Run

Steve Voss is only working on his vehicles now.

The long-time mechanic who serviced vehicles in Libby for decades is retired.

On Saturday, July 29, he led his last Raven Run in town, complete with a police escort.

The 2023 “C-Ya Steve Raven Run” featured more than two dozen vehicles of varied makes and models of classic cars.

Voss took the wheel of one of his projects, a 1975 Chevy Monza with a 585 horsepower engine.

It had sat, abandoned, up Warland Creek, for more than a decade. Voss said the man who he worked for at the time had the contract to haul the car to the dump.

“When I got a look at it, I said, ‘I kinda want that.’”

Fixing vehicles came naturally for Voss.

“I was 8 years old when my dad gave me a 1946 Chevy truck. I got it 1963 running so it’s kinda in my blood,” he said.

Voss could also make beautiful music. While playing in a band as its lead guitarist, he once appeared on the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day telethon.

“That was pretty cool and we were pretty good, but fixing cars and trucks was a more reliable way to make a living,” Voss said.

The Raven Run was born out of Voss’ desire to see the many classic vehicle that have homes in the area.

“They are so many awesome machines here and I just love to see them on the road!” he said.

Last year’s run was cancelled due to family medical issues, but there was no stopping it in 2023.

“We had a good turn out and it was awesome to see and catch up with everyone that came! We got to see a lot of really awesome cars and had a great time!” Voss said in a social media post.

For those wondering who the winners of the seventh annual Raven Run were, Wyatt’s choice won the Blackstone griddle and was awarded to Junior Beardsley, RMV’s pick went to Tom Kumle and Chef’s choice went to Ray Weitzel.

In terms of his retirement, Voss said, “It was just time. Investing in the business and building it was very worthwhile, but now it’s time.”

Voss said he is looking forward to traveling with his wife, Cherry, in a RV to see Montana.

And for his list of projects, they include the Monza, a 1965 Mustang, a 1963 Falcon Future and a 1966 Plymouth.