Labor Day weekend: Classic car shows abound
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Whether you’re a serious collector or simply enjoy observing the hobby from the sidelines, Labor Day weekend is a great time to check out some sweet rides at car shows and gatherings throughout Southern California.
Two events this weekend are annual car shows:
The Great Labor Day Cruise — Costa Mesa
Three days of hot rods, classics and custom cars. Thousands of cars from 1972 and earlier. A designated cruise route runs throughout the fairgrounds and there are also live bands, drawings, and a car give-away.
Where: Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa
When: Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Aug. 30 - Sept. 1
Admission: Adults $12, children under 12 free
Primer Nationals Hot Rod and Motorcycle Show — Ventura
Who can resist checking out 1965 and older American-made cars, trucks and motorcycles under the palms, near the beach in Ventura, with judging categories that include ‘Best Bobber’ and ‘Best Low Rider.’ There’s also a prize for ‘Girl Owner’ (Is that best girl owner or best car she owns? You’ll have to go and find out).
Where: Ventura County Fairgrounds, Ventura
When: Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30-31
Admission: Adults $10, children under 12 free, military with ID $5
Three other Southern California events are regular gatherings that meet early every Saturday morning. The impromptu shows charge no admission and feature a grab bag of classics from all categories.These are not ‘festival’ settings, but rather a gathering of serious collectors and admirers who come together with their local congregations to worship motor vehicles of the past and present.
South Orange County: Cars and Coffee, Irvine
Every Saturday, the parking lot of the Mazda and Ford corporate offices near the Spectrum in Irvine is filled with the classic automotive (and motorcycle) spawn of wealthy and fanatical car guys and gals from the farthest reaches of South O.C. Saturdays, 7-9 a.m., 7905 Gateway Blvd., Irvine.
North Orange County: Donut Derelicts, Huntington Beach
Their site says it all: ‘In 1932 Henry created the flat head, in 1959 Harley Earl created the Cadillac fins, and in 1963 the Beach Boys sang about ‘Little Deuce Coupe.’ In 1984 the ‘Donut Derelicts’ came together to celebrate horsepower, chrome and brotherhood.’ Saturdays, 6-9 a.m., corner of Adams and Magnolia, Huntington Beach.
Burbank: Autobooks-Aerobooks Cruise-In
The Cruise-In is a regular Saturday tradition and the added plus is that it’s at the oldest and largest automotive bookstore in the U.S. and one of the best aeronautical stores in the U.S. Saturday, 8-10 a.m., 3525 W. Magnolia Blvd. (818) 845-0707.
-- Joni Gray
Photo credits: Cars and Coffee event by Roland, via Flickr; Donut Derelicts courtesy of Donut Derelicts.