Jessica Hahn Proves as Big a Draw as Cars at Motor Show

Jessica Hahn was named “Theologian of the Year” last week by Fundamentalists Anonymous, a satirical El Cajon-based group, which might have explained the line of people near the “Lords of Limo” display Sunday at the 35th annual San Diego Car Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Hahn, the woman who brought a new meaning to the term church secretary, was on hand to sign autographs and help patrons with any spiritual problems.

Dressed in a tight black leotard and short white skirt, she sat behind a table atop a small stage, smiling for the cameras and waving to people around the stage who were staring at her. She fulfilled a role not unlike the two girls in swim suits who stood in front of a Ferrari a few yards.

“It’s like a practical joke,” said Jack Greco, 43, of Lakeside, explaining why he was the first person in line to see Hahn. “I can go to the guys at work tomorrow and say, ‘See, I met Jessica Hahn.’ ”

Hahn, best known for sparking the sex scandal that brought down Jim Bakker’s PTL religious empire, smiled for and chatted with each person who appeared in front of her. She waved a couple and their two small children to the front of the line, and then patiently signed autographs for every member of their family who couldn’t make it, including a few copies of Playboy magazine featuring her nude photos.

As rock ‘n’ roll blared from a nearby car stereo display, Hahn was asked about her latest theological honor. Fundamentalists Anonymous, which publishes a tongue-in-cheek magazine called the Wittenburg Door, gave Hahn the “Theologian of the Year” title because her Playboy photo layouts “crystallize theologically the relationship between faith and nudity, sex and heaven.”

“I’ve been voted a lot of things in the past year,” a laughing Hahn replied.

The line was growing and people were ignoring the car with the Elvis theme, pictures of The King set into the carpeted doors, and the ’63 Impala lowrider with a bar, television and its own water fountain.

This was Hahn’s crowd, her kind of people. If anybody resented her notoriety, they didn’t show it.

“I get to meet more positive people” at these type of shows, Hahn said. “They wouldn’t stand in line if they had something negative to say.”

Stephanie Palmer, 12, of Las Vegas shyly stepped up for autographs, one for herself and one for a friend.

“I think she’s pretty,” Palmer said.

There are several children in line. They said they’ve seen Hahn in comedian Sam Kinison’s video for “Wild Thing,” in which she roles around in a pit with Kinison while a group of heavy metal rockers cheer them on.

“I’m not associated with something kids know anything about,” Hahn said. “It’s too complicated for them. I wish I could be known for saving Baby Jessica, but it’s not the case.”

Not everyone in line was so favorable toward Hahn.

“She just goes to show how far you can make a bad thing very profitable,” said Robert Del Rose, 34, of San Diego as he waited in line. “It was her tongue that did it, not her looks. It’s the American way.”

The car show was expected to attract 25,000 people to the fairgrounds over the weekend. There was no way to gauge how many were lured to pay the $11.50 entrance fee, $11 with coupon, by the attraction of Hahn, the advertised star of the show.

“She’s an additive to the show, just like the beauty contest or the weightlifting,” said Dennis Dodson, general manager of R.G. Canning Attractions, promoter of the show.

Newspaper ads which featured a large photo of Hahn didn’t specify exactly when Hahn would be there, offering nothing more than the car show hours. She wasn’t there on Saturday, disappointing some spectators.

Two conservatively-dressed middle-aged men, who looked as if they had come from a country club, angrily confronted Dodson Saturday. They were only mildly appeased by Dodson’s offer of a free pass for Sunday, when Hahn would be there.

“I feel misled,” said one of the men as he strode away. “We made a special trip up here to see her.”

His friend descriptively explained that they wanted to see what Bakker had seen in Hahn.

Danny Barsenas, a sound man at the celebrity stage, said Hahn’s noticeable absence Saturday was simply annoying.

“I don’t know if she’s coming or not,” he said. “I have had a hundred people at least ask me.”

Hahn is now officially on the car show circuit, which means her radio career is apparently on hold, following a three-month stint with a Phoenix station that ended in January.

“The station said they didn’t have the money (to renew the contract),” Hahn said. “They were really great, but I think I was more like a novelty catch . . . . It’s cool to bring in Jessica for 30 days until things get serious.”

Although she still hopes to land a radio job, her career is now focusing on the drawing power of her name and celebrity.

“It seems to be going in the way of personal appearances,” she said.

She’s has joined R.G. Canning for all eight of its West Coast shows this year, in addition to a full roster of appearances around the country. She was scheduled to leave for Charlotte, N.C., after the Del Mar show.

“The press loves her,” Dodson said. “They think she’s the victim. She said on TV she was raped. Now, that’s her story, and I’m not saying the show is saying that. When we booked her we must have debated about it for hours. But we’ve had very little negative response for her being in the show.”

Dodson said his company is quite pleased with Hahn’s drawing power.

“She’s a celebrity and she’s been in Playboy,” he said. “That right there is enough to get the guys out.”

Hahn said she is just happy people still care to invite her places: “Thank God the opportunity is there.”

Two couples at the car show ticket window Saturday, one with a baby carriage, gave their views on Hahn. The men said they weren’t interested although they had noticed her name in the ads.

“I just love cars, Robert Frisch, 23, of Escondido said.

But the women seemed a fascinated by the appearance of Hahn.

“If she happens to be sprawled across a car half-naked, well . . . “ Kelly Taylor, 20, said.

“Is that what she’s doing?” asked Janele Smith, 21. “Oh, ick.”