A nostalgic ride down memory lane

The sun’s rays beat down on the sleek and shiny contours of about 50 automobiles that lined Honolulu Avenue during the 6th Annual Montrose Invitational Classic Car Show, on Sunday.

The event featured classic cars that captured the attention of car enthusiasts of all ages.

“The cars are representative of all eras,” Councilman John Drayman, past president of the Montrose Shopping Park Assn., said. “This is not the biggest car show but the best representational event.”

About 18,000 were expected to attend by the end of the show, Drayman said.

The Montrose Shopping Park Assn. sponsored the event.

Among the dozens of cars on display, one of the most popular was a 1939 Packard limousine.

Owner Roger Morrison stood talking to several passersby who stopped to ask him questions about his prized possession. Most wanted to know how he acquired the vehicle.

“I got it from a little old lady in Pasadena,” the Montrose resident said. “She died and it went in an estate sale.”

Morrison also showed off his 1939 Lincoln Zephyr, which included its original paint and chrome interior, he said. He bought it from a museum.

“People can relate to older cars,” Morrison said.

Another popular car on the block was a 1955 gypsy red convertible Corvette.

Only 700 were built in 1955, said owner George Ruiz.

“She’s been in a lot of magazines,” Ruiz, a Northridge resident, said. “She’s won about eight shows.”

The car show was by invitation only, Drayman said, adding that the cars were chosen based on their distinction as classics and had to meet specific criteria.

A 1931 Ford Model A was one of the many invitees that took part in the event.

Ten-year-old Garrett Phillips looked after his father’s car, which was parked next to other Fords.

“You get to ride in the back seat,” Garrett said.

Garrett’s sister, Cassidy, 7, and their friends Andrea and Marina LoCicero joined in on the fun of looking at the cars.

“I like the cars because they’re cool,” 9-year-old Marina said. “My dad has a Jeep and I named it Goldilocks.”

The event was a trip down memory lane for some.

Glendale resident Don Greiber and his wife, Jinny, took a stroll down the aisles of cars.

Don Greiber carefully inspected both the inside and outside of each vehicle.

“I still get this weakness inside me,” Don Greiber said, adding that he once owned a 1957 Ford but sold it.

“It became garage furniture,” he said. “We put maybe 50 miles on it. We decided to venture elsewhere and let someone else enjoy the classics.”

Jinny Greiber also felt nostalgic looking at the automobiles.

“I just like car shows because these cars are from my era,” she said.

The music of “The Martini Kings” and the “Gremoli New Orleans Jazz Band” added to the nostalgia.

The youngest car enthusiasts were also on hand to check out the displays.

Matthew Stickels, 5, poked his head inside a Ford Model-T and attempted to climb inside before his mother pulled him back.

Matthew looked around but had a hard time deciding which car he liked the best.

“That one,” he said, pointing to a lime green 1967 Corvette. “I like it because of the color.”

For Doug and Gretchen Caister, of La Cañada Flintridge, owning a classic car has been a bonding experience.

The Caisters are the owners of a 1955 Chevy Bel Air, which took about 15 years to restore, Doug Caister said.

The couple have worked on the car together and both participate in car shows together.

“It has been a man’s hobby, but as women become more independent, they want to take on these projects,” Gretchen Caister said. “I’ve taken part in it. Usually, the engine department is mine.”

 ANI AMIRKHANIAN is a news assistant. She may be reached at (818) 637-3230 or by e-mail at ani.amirkhanian@latimes.com.