Road Kings raises thousands for charity

Doug Auzene wore his signature purple satin Road Kings jacket Sunday as hundreds of vintage car owners convened at Burbank’s Johnny Carson Park.

The 22nd annual car show had many people ambling past rows of cars with their hoods up and engines on display.

Auzene, of Burbank, displayed his 1955 Chevy Bel-Air wagon that was passed down to him from his father-in-law, C.R. Holder.

Holder operated what was once Rocket Muffler in Burbank and used the red wagon to transport people to their homes as their cars underwent service.

Auzene said Holder would run the car’s motor at his shop to let customers gain a sense for the sound.

“If I can make this thing sound cool,” Holder would say, “imagine what I could do for you.”

The wagon still reads “Rocket Muffler” in white above the former shop’s address on Magnolia Boulevard. The paint is 51 years old, and the car’s roof is from the factory.

The Rocket Muffler’s fastest speed was recorded at Bakersfield Raceway where it finished a quarter-mile in 12.78 seconds at 109 mph, said Auzene, who added that the Road Kings’ show is the most spectacular for him.

A member of the Road Kings for 19 years, Auzene said cars are in his blood — both of his grandfathers were car enthusiasts, and one raced them.

“This is one place where you see a lot of cars that you’ll see here and no place else,” he said.

The event is one of two held annually to raise money for community-based charities. In the last decade, the Road Kings have raised more than $375,000.

This year, the gathering also celebrated Burbank’s centennial. The Burbank Historical Society displayed a restored 1949 Ford Police Cruiser featuring a mobile Motorola radio and a single oscillating red light on its roof.