San Juan Bautista
– Autophiles rejoice. The 14th Annual California Autumn Classic
British sports car show will be rolling into the mission city next
weekend to show local Yanks the best of the best cars from across
the pond.
San Juan Bautista – Autophiles rejoice. The 14th Annual California Autumn Classic British sports car show will be rolling into the mission city next weekend to show local Yanks the best of the best cars from across the pond.
“This is really a cool event and a nice way to spend the day,” said Denise Cauthen-Wright, executive director of the San Juan Bautista Chamber of Commerce.
Roughly 150 cars will take up five city blocks in San Juan Oct. 22 for the show, which draws owners and fans from around California and the surrounding states. Sixteen car clubs from around the Bay Area collaborate to make the event a success each year.
“Because it’s a British sports car show, we attract a particular crowd,” said Bill Meade, who is organizing the weekend. “It’s not like your usual hot rod show.”
The show features British cars from the 1940s to 1970s, primarily convertible two-seaters, including makes familiar to most Yanks, like Jaguar and Austin-Healey, as well as more exotic varieties.
“These owners take so much pride in their cars; you can see why they want to show them off,” Cauthen-Wright said.
Later in the afternoon, 20 first-place silver trophies will be awarded to participants with the best cars, one for each make, along with one grand trophy.
“Everyone has a chance of getting a trophy, and they all drive down the main street to receive their award,” Meade said.
The judges, who are all club members themselves, judge the autos on a number of criteria to select the cars they think best represent a certain make.
“It’s based on how good the condition of the car is,” Meade said. “The restoration, the originality – for example, people might have some of the original brochures on hand that came with the car, or some special accessories that are hard to find.”
Best of all, the show is a benefit for children in need. Proceeds from the registration fees go to an international children’s charity.
Locals who want to participate can still register if they pay the $40 late registration fee beforehand. And for those who want to get up close and personal with some beautiful cars but aren’t lucky enough to own one, the Chamber of Commerce could use a few volunteers to help with barricades and registration.
The event will be from 10am-3pm Oct. 22 in downtown San Juan, with the awards ceremony at 1:30pm. For more information call 831-623-2454
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
