The Friends of Steve McQueen Car & Motorcycle Show has become one of Southern California’s finest automotive gatherings. Part of the reason for that is because the entrants represent so many different eras and types of motorsports. It’s also for a good cause (see below). The theme of the show of course is guided by the life of the legendary Steve McQueen. For example, this year there were a lot of the 2008 “Bullitt” Mustangs on-hand that Ford produced as a tribute to the 1968 movie, Bullitt, starring McQueen. On Friday a dinner was held in the auditorium to raise funds for Boys Republic, a private, non-profit, nonsectarian community for at-risk boys and girls ages 13-17. It’s where a young Steve McQueen spent time as a student in 1946. The guest speaker at the fundraiser was Bruce Brown, director of the motorcycle movie On Any Sunday.  This classic film is one of the reasons why motorcycles are part of the show. A “motocross” course was carved in the dirt and a group of riders were doing jumps all day.

There were also quite a few dune buggies on display in the sand. That’s because McQueen owned one called a Meyers Manx.   In addition, the football field was filled with hot rods, muscle cars, street rods, Porsches, low riders, and classics. Around the outside of the field was filled with vendors.

On the baseball field, along the first and third base lines were vintage camp trailers with vintage tow cars. The infield was covered with BIG trucks. Between first and second were several Rolls-Royce and Bentleys. The outfield was filled with 30+ “Bullitt” Mustangs and other Ford Mustangs. The grassy, tree covered area between the two fields was where the “expensive” cars hung-out. Clearly plenty to see for the spectators. The food was terrific as well. Thanks to “Roscos”, the BBQ line was long. And the other thing that set this show apart from all others—the sail plane rides!

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