Presidential Motorcade

There’s some heavy metal coming to the Gipper’s hillside retreat Sunday afternoon at the first Reagan Retrospective, which will feature vintage vehicles and a VIP reception at the presidential library near Simi Valley.

The event coincides with President Reagan’s 89th birthday.

“We wanted to create an annual event,” said publicist Kirby Hanson, “something that people would look forward to attending from year to year--something everyone could appreciate.”

The event also will offer the first opportunity to purchase a Reagan license plate, which has a picture of the Gipper wearing a cowboy hat and a smile.

In addition to the chance to put your politics where your plate is, there will be an all-you-can-eat barbecue, country and western music from Caught Red-Handed and free “Reagan Country” license plate holders.

VIP reception guests will include State Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush, Secretary of State Bill Jones and Rep. Tony Strickland.

Reservations are necessary for the reception, priced at $15.

But the cars are the stars of this show--and they’re free.

These aren’t a bunch of generic heaps that you can see in the Kmart parking lot not far away. More than 50 expensive, vintage rides will be assembled to amaze visitors.

Getting the car owners to show off was no problem.

“It was an explosion--an absolute explosion,” Hanson said.

“I just made a few phone calls, and ever since my phone has been ringing nonstop. I had to draw the line--so far we have 55 cars. We may have more, but that depends whether or not we can lay down some AstroTurf over a certain area because a lot of these car owners refuse to drive their babies on the dirt.”

The vast majority of the vehicles are owned by people in Ventura County or the San Fernando Valley.

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There will be a sea of Fords, mostly from the ‘40s, but also the Reagans’ 1970 Ford Custom Wagon. Also on display will be a few Chevys and Thunderbirds, plus several Corvettes. A 1941 Lincoln perhaps honors the first Republican chief executive, Honest Abe himself.

There will also be a 1963 Ferrari and several Rolls-Royces and Bentleys.

These are cars to look at, but definitely not to touch.

“We had to print a list of rules,” Hanson said. “Like, no sitting in the cars--and no, you can’t take them for a spin around the block. I didn’t know how passionate these people are about their hobby.”

There will be ample parking, and for those who have to park at the bottom of the hill, there will be shuttle service to the top.

Meanwhile, inside the museum, current exhibits include “Spirit of Tiffany” and “Landmarks of the Reagan Legacy: The Architectural Miniatures of Gene Gill.”

Both of these exhibits will run through March 19.

While admission to the car show is free, there is a $5 fee ($3 for seniors) for the museum.

Tiffany & Co. is a name synonymous with wealth and good taste ever since silversmith and jeweler Charles Lewis Tiffany set up shop in New York City in 1837.

Later to be known as the foremost retailer of luxury goods during the Gilded Age of conspicuous consumption, the company also created numerous silk Civil War battle flags for Northern regiments. A century later, there was a memorable Audrey Hepburn movie, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

Gathered from private collections and museums nationwide, the exhibit includes lamps, desk sets, furniture, tea services and several examples of fine jewelry.

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Also included are a number of gift pieces created for and given by the Reagans.

The Gill exhibit features 14 exquisitely detailed scale models of some of the world’s most well-known architectural masterpieces.

Each of the sites was used as a backdrop for a speech by President Reagan during his eight years as chief executive. Among the models are the U.S. Capitol building, St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg, Va., and the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

DETAILS

The Reagan Retrospective: Vintage Vehicles at the Reagan Library, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; free; 522-2977.

Bill Locey can be reached by e-mail at blocey@pacbell.net

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