Cruising down Memory Lane
Gary Moskowitz
For her mother’s 82nd birthday, Joaquin Dollenmayer and her
husband Robert completely restored the 1936 Chevy that her mother had
originally purchased for $740 as a young woman.
Old pictures of her mother driving the car wearing a hat and
sundress in the late ‘30s remind the Dollenmayers of the spirit of
custom and classic cars -- a sense of tradition and style that was
celebrated in full force Saturday at Glendale’s ninth annual Cruise
Night Car Show and Street Party.
“These types of cars are a beauty, and they just don’t make them
like they used to,” Joaquin Dollenmayer said.
The Dollenmayer’s Chevy was one of 439 hot rods, custom, classic
and restored cars on display at the event, which city spokesman Ritch
Wells described as the premier car show in Southern California.
The city’s annual event started in 1994 -- when a World Cup soccer
match took place in Pasadena -- and has continued ever since, Wells
said.
More than 35,000 people attended the event, which also included
live musical performances from The Nelsons, Slacktone, The Cadillac
Angels, Stunt Road, Bluescasters and Penn & Lane.
Classic cars lined both sides of Brand Boulevard from Broadway to
Doran Street.
Passersby could see a 1932 Ford Phaeton and 1948 Chevy Fleetline
parked next to a 1963 Stude Avanti R-2, a 1973 Detomaso Pantera and a
1949 Volkswagen Beetle.
Also parked along Brand Boulevard was a 1945 World War II Jeep
that had been used by the Glendale Fire Department’s Hill Patrol.
Glendale firefighters performed demonstrations, people took turns
on a climbing wall, jumped in a Moon bounce, ate at restaurants along
Brand Boulevard and danced to the music coming from both performance
stages.
Those who attended might have seen the “swingin’ senior” dancing
in front of the main stage, or one resident who decided to bring his
pet possum to the celebration.
The “retro” look and design of some modern cars cannot compare to
the style of pre-1973 classic cars, said 43-year-old Scott Ayers, a
Burbank resident and classic car owner.
“I’ve been a car guy my whole life. What’s great about this hobby
is that you can drive this hobby,” Ayers said.
“This is Americana. You meet great people and original owners
remember their childhood and they remind you that each car has a
unique personality.”
Cruise Night coordinator Mike Marino said walking down Brand
Boulevard and seeing all of the cars lined up is a sight he looks
forward to every year.
“Each year we get to grow a little and it’s a nice way for
Glendale to shine,” Marino said.
“People come out, they have fun and you see grandparents walking
with their grandkids telling stories.”
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
THE WINNERS’ CIRCLE
The following car owners received awards at the ninth annual
Cruise Night Car Show and Street Party on Brand Boulevard on
Saturday.
* MAYOR’S CHOICE: Jeff Rosenthall, 1965 Ford Mustang
* POLICE CHIEF’S CHOICE: Steve Fennell, 1937 Chevy Coupe * FIRE CHIEF’S CHOICE: Mike Swenson, 1958 Chevy Truck * CITY MANAGER’S CHOICE: Jerry Lewis, 1957 Chevy Bel Air
convertible
CRUISE NIGHT COMMITTEE PICKS:
* Steve Oglesey, 1956 Chevy Pickup
* James Kyles, 1947 Chevy Coupe * Sam Falco, 1950 Mercury
* Chris Whitney, 1967 Ford Fairlane
* Jerry Katz, three-window Ford Coupe
* Robert Bistagne, 1968 Ford Shelby * Ken Sweet, 1940 Ford Sedan
* Carlos Cornejo, 1959 Chevy Impala
VENDOR SPONSORED PICKS:
* Dyrness Automotive: Melvin Bitterman, 1932 Ford Roadster
* Porter Muffler: Eddie Gorman
* Glendale Kiwanis: Dale Keil, 1931 Cadillac convertible
* Glendale Auto Body: Blaine Kelley, 1966 Chevy El Camino
* Tony Wade Automotive: Jerry Katz, 1932 Three-window Ford Coupe
* Napa Automotive: Al Carrasco, 1957 Chevy Bel Air
* Transmatic Transmission: Phillip Palamo, 1951 Chevy Pickup
* Brand Boulevard Merchants Assn.: Ralph Ageirre, 1967 Ford Shelby VENDOR CERTIFICATES AND GIFTS:
* The Speed Shop, $1,500 engine rebuild certificate: Russell
Vadman
* King’s Transmission of Glendale, certificate for rebuilt
transmission: Glenn Kormann
* Western Tire of Burbank, $250 certificate toward custom wheels:
Ron Merz
* Star Ford, free jackets: Michael Micholak and Steve Foss