As Gary Johnson wiped down his 1964 Dodge Polara 500, he recalled the time
he had spent in the classic cruiser, from buying it brand new when he was 22 to dating his wife, Cindy, and taking her for drives up the California coast.
"It has never been restored. I just make sure everything is in good shape. If it needs paint, I paint it. It was Cindy's commuter car for years. Can you imagine that, her pulling up to work in a muscle car?" he said with a smile.
Johnson's cruiser and
his wife's red convertible
1959 Dodge Custom Royal
sat side-by-side Saturday
at the annual Wheels and Windmills car show in downtown Solvang.
Around 300 cars - ranging from antiques to race cars, woodies, stock, full-custom, commercial and government vehicles - lined the streets of Copenhagen Drive from Atterdag Road to Alisal Road as thousands of people gathered to gawk.
Valley residents Bob Stokes and Jerry Renelli have been hosting the show for the last four years in Solvang, and six years before that in Buellton.
"The 'day of' is always hectic as cars find their spots to park, but so far it's been a great morning," Stokes said as he was wiping down his own vehicle entered into the event.
A new element of the show this year occurred Friday night, when Stokes organized a cruise, sending an informal parade of the classic cars from Buellton to Santa Maria and back.
"There are lessons to be learned from last night's cruise, such as making sure everyone knows where to go, but all in all I have heard great things from the participants. I think we will definitely do this again next year," Stokes said.
The cruise traveled up Highway 101 to JR's Drive-In at 603 E. Main St. in Santa Maria, where music was provided by a DJ and the restaurant gave food discounts to registered car show participants.
Another new element this year was the inclusion of five speedboats from the 1960s and '70s heyday of drag racing on water, displayed on Copenhagen Drive near Alisal Road.
Solvang Mayor Jim Richardson, who was judging entries Saturday morning to hand out the Mayor's Trophy in the afternoon, said he was having a hard time choosing because there were so many wonderful entries.
"It's so hard because I know a lot of the guys who have vehicles in the show and all the cars have their own unique qualities," Richardson said.
Honorary grand marshals this year were father and son automotive design legends Sam and Chip Foose, who started their specialty car and hot rod designs in Santa Barbara during the 1960s.
Johnson, who brought his two classic Dodges from Yorba Linda, said the location of Wheels and Windmills is a big part of the draw for exhibitors.
"These shows are mainly in abandoned fields, and this location is so nice because our wives and significant others have an opportunity to shop in these great stores," he said.
Throughout the event, groups of men could be seen gathered around all types of classic and newer cars, talking about the displays and their own vehicles.
Festivities included the raffle of a GM Performance Parts V8 engine donated by Jon's Equipment and Construction Co., with the proceeds going to the Santa Ynez High School automotive department.
Other proceeds from this year's show are being donated to the Happy Endings Animal Rescue Sanctuary and the Progeria Research Foundation, Stokes said.
For more information, visit www.wheelsnwindmills.com.
August 30, 2009
