The beauty of local auto shows is that a good one can give you a glimpse into the history and the psyche of the community; it can take the things that make that city different from any other and display them in automotive form.
That?s exactly what fans saw this weekend at the 7th annual Bixby Knolls Dragster Expo & Car Show in Long Beach, CA.
More than 200 cars and a dozen retired dragsters shut down the busy Atlantic Avenue corridor to celebrate the legacy of the Lions Dragstrip and the hot rod culture that largely originated here decades ago.
Chopped, slammed, woodied or rat-rodded, cars from the cruising and dragging eras lined up row after row to turn back the clock. Elaborate paint jobs with flames and pinstripes were in full effect; the chrome of Ford engines dazzled in the hot sun and big-block Chevys stuffed their engine bays. There was no shortage of Hemi engines, either, with Roadrunners and Chargers well representing the Mopar sect. A very healthy collection of classic Cadillacs - from slammed Coupe de Villes to stunning Eldorados - shined under the sun. A Volkswagen Beetle with a sparkling Garret turbocharger summed up the spirit of the event with its spaghetti assemblage of pipes and tubes.
No, there was nothing subtle about the vehicles on display at the Bixby Knolls Dragster Show, and that became more apparent than ever with the cacklefest. The show had arranged more than one dozen dragsters at center stage, and twice during the event (once in the afternoon, once after sunset) they let ?em rip. Wild Thang, a fully-blown 1931 Chevy coupe, led the procession with ear-splitting revs that produced flames 15 to 20 feet in the air ? and that was the opening act.
The dragsters themselves then opened their valves and shook the streets with spectators lined up five or six rows deep in some places, twisting for a glimpse at the vehicular heroes that dominated racing culture in the 60?s and 70?s. The First Lady of Drag Racing herself, Shirley Muldowney, hopped into her old sparkling pink ride to give the fans d?j? vu.
The show even taught me a little about my own family?s automotive history. My dad stalked the rows with me and pointed out a 1956 Chevrolet Delrey, in turquoise, just like his father had once had. He also connected with a brilliant red 1963 Ford Galaxie, the first car my father ever owned, bought for $500 as a 16-year old.
No exotics or new debuts at this concours: A race-prepped Subaru BRZ and heavily-modified C5 Corvette gave the only indication that you hadn?t traveled back in time to 1975.
And that?s just the way they like it in Long Beach.?
?
Visit the Restoration?Center for quick access to tips, advice and more. Make sure to follow autoMedia.com on Twitter and Facebook.
What car shows did you attend this weekend, and what makes them special? Let us know in the comments below.
?
Source: http://www.automedia.com/Blog/post/Auto-Events-Bixby-Knolls-Dragster-Expo-Car-Show.aspx
ben flajnik randy moss randy moss hunger games premiere the bachelor good morning america red meat
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.