Many of the cars featured in the show had paint jobs that were not quite in the Quaker spirit of modesty and sobriety, but the spectators had no complaints about the bright colors!
Out of the rubble of the disastrous 1987 “Whittier Narrows” earthquake the Whittier Conservancy saved the demolition of many historic buildings and residences. Today “Uptown” Whittier is very picturesque, with tall trees lining the streets shading those historic buildings from an earlier era.
The event had an exceptional style that was eclectic and vibrant…
The event had an exceptional style that was eclectic and vibrant with many shops, antique stores, restaurants, cafes, and a local movie theater that created a unique backdrop for the vintage cars parked along the street.
A local car club, The Tribe, helped park the pre-’76 American hot rods, street rods, Bombs, foreign cars, and customs on Greenleaf and Philadelphia and the spectators filled the middle of the streets to enjoy the cars. It was nice to see the “Bombs” were back. Vendor booths were also placed along the streets among the cars. Live music by the “Delorean’s”, “Boxcar Boogie”, “Bootleggers” and “Super Kitty and the 5 cats” played all day. The weather was a perfect 78° and lots of people were out to see the event.
Thanks for the Show!!
It was nice to see the “Bombs” were back.
Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the October 2017 print issue of the Drive Magazine.
On January 14, 2017 “The Best Little Car Show in San Diego County” was presented for the 30th year in Vista, Ca. The “Old Town” part of Vista has been nicely preserved and thriving, that is where this remarkable car show was held. The $10 entry fee included an event T-shirt and dash plaque to each entrant!!
The weather provided a little chilly rain in the early morning, only 60-70 show cars got wet. Otherwise the show had blue skies and 70 degree weather. Questionable morning weather didn’t keep the 600 hot rods, classics, customs and trucks away. DJ and master of ceremonies duties belonged to the very capable Brett and his High Energy Sound Machine. The unique handmade awards were presented by 1:00 and everyone was on their way home.
Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the May 2017 print issue of the Drive Magazine.
It’s 6:00 am and you’re driving with your lights on. You’re following someone because you have never been here before. You turn onto a single lane road. In about a quarter of a mile, you see a forest is on your right and a lake is on the left side.
As the morning light begins to shed some light on the flourishing landscape, you think, “Is this a golf course?” It doesn’t look like your usual spot for a car show. You’re then directed to leave the road and drive over the lush green grass to your parking spot.
You find over 250 hot rods and classic cars are parked on the grass inside The Grand Tradition Estate and Gardens with its 18 acres of first-class botanical gardens surrounding a Victorian estate and the luxurious Beverly Mansion.
This was the inaugural Fallbrook Country Car Show hosted by the Fallbrook Ag boosters. Meguiar’s and Jack Powell were proud sponsors of this event. Special guests included local long time resident and drag racing legend Dode Martin and the fire breathing extreme hot rod called “Wild Thang”.
The music was provided by Brett Harrell and his High Energy Sound Machine. There was food, beverages and some unique grounds to enjoy lunch. The handmade trophies were awarded to deserving cars and there was a cool “JR” class for 21 and under.
From the looks of the first edition of this event, it will surely be followed by many more. We certainly hope so.
Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the January 2017 print issue of the Drive Magazine.
The Huntington Beachcruiser Meet is famous for its setting and of course the Woodies. Combined, it makes for a terrific car show. For the 16th annual gathering, the weather at Surf City was a little brisk, but by 11 o’clock the sun was out and temperatures were in the 70s.
Saturday started with participants arriving at the sold-out event as early as 4:00 am! By 5:30 Main St. was full of 80-plus “Beachcruisers”.
The Pier Plaza area was where most of the Woodies parked and the adjacent parking lot contained another 120 or so cruisers. On Sunday the Pier was filled with Woodies, as expected, and they were as natural to the landscape as girls in bikinis and surfboards.
The original idea for a Beachcruiser Meet came after the 20th annual Wavecrest Woodie Show in 2000. Many fine ‘50s, ‘0s, and ‘70s era “beach” vehicles were seen parked on the side streets adjacent to the show. The “Woodies only” event excluded them from participation. Therefore the theme was set for an all-inclusive show that welcomed all types of “beach cruising” vehicles. And Surf City has embraced the idea for 16 straight years.
The pier and downtown area were packed with spectators and the stores and restaurants were filled with people enjoying the eclectic collection of cars on display. Great surf music was provided all weekend by Brett Harrell and his High Energy sound machine. This weekend honored the Golden Age of surfing when we hauled our boards, our buddies and our babes to Surf City. For future show information contact Socalwoodies.com.
Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the August 2016 print issue of the Drive Magazine.
The city of El Segundo is really a terrific place for a car show. In large part I say that because Main Street downtown looks like a 60s era movie set. While the town has changed a lot in the last five decades, this comfortable, quaint vintage town of 16,000+ looks much the same as it did years ago. The high rise buildings are on the east side along Sepulveda, the west side is the Hyperian water treatment plant and the Pacific Ocean, to the north is L.A. Airport, and the Chevron refinery occupies the south side.
The 18th annual Main Street Car Show was presented by the El Segundo Police Officers Association and was open to all makes and models of cars and trucks. The weather was clear and warmed up by about 10:00 am, then the tree lined streets provided good shade for some vehicles.
Local spectators came out with their kids and pets to enjoy the sights and sounds of this much anticipated event. Main street shops were open and the car show included vendors showing off their wares. Besides the cool collection of cars, raffles, a 50/50 drawing, live music by the Russell & Chuck project, great food was available along Main St. If you’re in the area, the show and this unique city are worth a visit.
Uptown Whittier is very picturesque, with historic buildings, some of which are brick from way back. The city’s unique style is eclectic and vibrant, like the collection of vehicles gathered for the car show event.
With the many shops, antique stores, restaurants, cafes, and a local movie theater, it’s the right setting for all the cars at the show. Many of the rides on display had paint jobs that were not quite in old Whittier’s Quaker spirit of modesty and sobriety, but the spectators had no complaints about the bright colors!
The 15th Annual Uptown Whittier Car Show was a grand success, notwithstanding the fact that pre-registered cars were lined up at 5 a.m., but due to city issues, were not allowed to enter the show till 8:30 a.m! The pre-’76 American hot rods, street rods, bombs, foreign cars, and customs were placed on two cross streets and the spectators walked down the middle of the streets to enjoy the cars. It was nice to see the “Bombs”. Vendor booths were also placed along the streets among the cars. Live music by “Bootlegger” played all day. Altogether it made for a fantastic Saturday.
The SO-CAL Speed Shop has been well represented abroad in 2013. In March, Carol and I went to New Zealand for the Leadfoot Nationals; Jimmy Shine traveled to Moscow in June; in July, Shine and his dad worked in a trip to Brunswick, Australia; and then in October, Shine traveled with custom car builder John D’Agostino to Helsinki for yet another car show.
Somehow Helsinki just doesn’t seem to be a hot rod town, but again, I’m wrong. The event that John and Jimmy traveled halfway around the world to attend was the first annual Yankee Car Show in Lahti, Finland, a suburb of Helsinki. The show was held at the Lahti Convention Center, and this well-known area is the location of numerous world-class snow ski events as well. The two-day custom vehicle exhibition was a major success, drawing 400 rods, customs and motorcycles along with thousands of fans.
Renowned custom car builder John D’Agostino and Jimmy Shine were not only there for the obligatory meet and greet, but also to host a seminar detailing the two Yankee car builders’ careers. The boys had a great time from eating kippers and dropping a toe in the icy-cold waters of the Baltic Sea.
