The last time we talked, I relayed my fantastic experience at The Classic Auto Show in Costa Mesa. This time I was lucky enough to have my buddy invite me to the 25th Annual Orange Plaza Car Show.

I had so much fun at the last show, I made this event a date-thing and brought my camera-wielding fiancé, who even managed to get a few pictures in this month’s edition of Drive. With 6 brothers, she has a good base of knowledge when it comes to the classics. One brother drives a bad (as in good) 1965 Impala station wagon.

The show was located on the blocked off streets surrounding Plaza Park and the Orange Circle in the historic downtown district of Orange, California. It’s the same location for The City’s annual Orange International Street Fair. It’s a great spot, so why change what works? The Orange Circle has a real vintage feel, loaded with restaurants, taverns and various merchants in a setting that feels very Mayberry, USA.

The Annual Orange Plaza Car Show is brought to us by the Orange Plaza Rotary. There is no admission fee and the estimated 15,000+ spectators got to enjoy almost 400 pre-1976 street rods, custom and classic vehicles on display. Any money raised by the Rotary helps fund community outreach, youth education and literacy programs.

We started out with some lunch at The Citrus City Grille, right off the Orange Circle. It was packed with Sunday “brunchers” and car enthusiasts. It looked to me like everyone was smiling. I’m noticing that happiness seems to be a common theme at these shows. My buddy answered some car questions while we ate and drank and prepared to see the sights for a couple hours.

Something occurred to me as we looked around and talked with the car owners: A month ago, I thought I had my list of favorite cars was locked down. Not so fast. I saw something that blew my mind. We strolled up on a 1967 Plymouth Barracuda that was as deep blue as the oceans its namesake swims. All I could do was nod my head because I knew that my list just got a little longer. What a car! You can check it out on this page. Another car I want, and that you can see in this edition, is a killer 1964 Chevy Impala. Add it to my list, too. I’m going to need a bigger piece of paper.

BREAKING NEWS – I just saw this headline online, “The Legendary ‘Cuda Muscle Car Is Coming Back, And 2020 Can’t Come Fast Enough.” First I get engaged, then I start attending car shows, now this? Awesome stuff. Let’s hope some of the ‘60s magic finds its way into the 2020 version.

[the show] helps fund community outreach, youth education and literacy programs

It looks like my groove is cars from the late 50s to the mid 60s. That whole Space Race and the influence it had on the body types. I was watching a documentary on the SR-71 Blackbird, and while I was caught up in that story, I wondered if any of the cars I now love were inspired by its design? Well, since the Blackbird was so insanely top-secret, maybe not.

Back to the Orange Plaza. Wrapping up our day, we saw a row of Lincoln Continental Marks. It reminded me of going to the Ford Museum with my folks back in 1977. The only thing I remember is a photo of my pop with his dream car – The Lincoln Continental Mark IV. The cars on display this day looked fantastic and they had a variety Marks, but no IVs. That’s OK. It gives me something to hunt for at the next show.

Let the good times roll…

I’m noticing that happiness seems to be a common theme at these shows

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