Here’s a confession: I’ve never been a “car guy.” Cars have always been a utility to get me from point A to B as effi ciently as possible. I grew up with a VERY “car guy” older brother, but that was just one more thing we didn’t have in common. As of 2019, it looks like the times, they are a changin’.

Confession: I’ve never been a “car guy”

Earlier this year I went to my very first car show which was in Pomona. I went with a friend whose knowledge made cars come alive. I learned why cars look the way they look; that their designs reflected the era they belonged to. It never occurred to me there might be a reason a car looked a particular way. For instance, I learned that the 1950s brought us the decade of style. World War II was over, times were good, people were happy and the cars reflected it. Very cool indeed. However, the thing that switched on my lightbulb was learning that the cars from the late 50s and early 60s started taking on the look of jets and rockets attributed to our nation’s race to space. Bring on the fins and afterburners! My first favorite car era.

Weeks after that first show was The Classic Auto Show at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA. Until attending this event, The Fairgrounds meant two things to me: A place to see my favorite concerts (anything from Megadeth to Aerosmith to Tom Jones), and unfortunately, a place that caused traffic jams on my way to the beach. Who could’ve guessed what else it had in store!? I had even more fun at this, my second-ever car show. Everyone that had their car on display was willing to take time to talk about their car and answer my very amateur, albeit enthusiastic questions. Hearing peoples’ stories, accompanied with the pride they took in their rides had me feeling that I was part of something really cool.

World War II was over, times were good, people were happy and the cars reflected it

Even a guy like me has a favorite car. Mine has always been some form of Volkswagen Bus or Eurovan, depending on my stage in life. Still love them and may have one eventually, but I saw something at The Classic Auto Show that took cuts right to the top of my wish list: a deep, dark blue 1967 Dodge Coronet R/T, with white interior. I’m told it’s owned by an apparent genius named Dave Kindig. I don’t know enough about that car, but I know I want it, and I know I want to meet Mr. Kindig to see if he would be interested in trading for my light grey 2012 Honda Accord LX, with new-ish tires.

Everybody was willing to take time to talk about their car and answer my very amateur, albeit enthusiastic questions.

Another epiphany I had is that these works of art can hit you exactly like a great song. Memories get sparked and you’re instantly taken back to a pin-pointed spot in your life. Hopefully a great spot. It happened at the show. Who knew that a Datsun 510 is now eligible to be called “classic”? That’s the first car that my folks allowed me to drive. I loved it in my senior year of 1983, and seeing it on Saturday made me realize I still love it.

I saw something at The Classic Auto Show that took cuts right to the top of my wish list: a deep, dark blue 1967 Dodge Coronet R/T

Moving forward, I can’t just use terms I encountered like patina, raked and sleeper without knowing what they mean. Luckily, the crowd at The Classic Auto Show were more than happy to explain as they went along. It was an education and a blast. Many thanks to everyone who spent their time to enlighten me.

The plan for the near-future is more car shows…and checking in with my brother to see what he considers his dream wheels.

Thanks for the memories.

Another epiphany I had is that these works of art can hit you exactly like a great song.

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