A stunning, pristinely conditioned 1931 Duesenberg Model J earned the Award of Excellence: Grand Boulevard Walk of History honors at the third annual Classic Auto Show, held at the OC Fair & Event Center. The honor capped a weekend celebration highlighted by record attendance, display of more than 1,500 rare vintage cars and the presentation of 25 awards.
The two-day festival kicked off with special appearance by Grand Marshal Adam Corolla, who hand-picked two vehicles from his private collection to display: Paul Newman’s Championship Triumph TR6 and the Datsun 510 “Different Drummer” Trans Am. The weekend also featured interviews with automotive celebrities Dave Kindig, Wayne Carini, Mark Worman, Mike Finnegan, Bogi Lateiner, and Lyn St. James.
Showcasing classics from antiques and pre/post war to the hot rods, muscle cars, lowriders and Japanese imports that personify Southern California’s iconic car culture, the two-day festival also featured an all-new “40 Shades of Green” collection to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday.
The event also offered show-goers its popular Grand Boulevard, a stunning display of 30 historically significant vehicles including the 1931 Model J Duesenberg, 1962 Fiat Jolly, 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider, a 1941 Tatra T87, 1915 Pierce Arrow Model 48 Seven Passenger Suburban, 1976 Bricklin SV1 – the Canadian version of a DeLorean, and a 1956 Cadillac Limousine 7533 used under the dictatorship of Generalismo Francisco Franco, and more.
In addition, a dedicated marketplace with more than 150 exhibitors offered show-goers a first-hand look at the latest aftermarket products and services.
“The well documented love affair between Southern Californians and their cars, vans and trucks was in full-force this past weekend,” said Michael Carlucci, senior vice president at LeftField Media, the show’s producer. Thanks to our relocation to this new venue, we were able to offer show-goers an unprecedented selection of priceless vehicles and other attractions, all under sunny skies and perfect temperatures. We look forward to returning to the OC Fair & Event Center for years to come.”
The Classic Auto Show culminated on Sunday afternoon with an awards presentation recognizing standout vehicles as determined by a judging panel of celebrity guests. Honorees included:
| Award of Excellence: Grand Boulevard Walk of History | 1931 Duesenberg Model J |
| Award of Excellence: Car Club | Citroen Car Club |
| Award of Excellence: Private Owner | 1972 Nissan Fairlady Z |
| Best in Show: Domestic Car Club | Early Ford V8 Club of America |
| Best in Show: Foreign Car Club | Der Blitzkrieg Kafers (DBK) |
| Best in Show: Domestic Private Owner | 1915 Pierce Arrow Model 48 7-Passenger Suburban |
| Best in Show: Foreign – Grand Blvd. | 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona |
| Best in Show: Foreign Private Owner | 1955 VW Bus |
| Best in Show: 40 Shades of Green | 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 |
| Best in Show: Antique | 1915 La Bestioni Boat Trail Speedster |
| Best in Show: Classic Truck | 1964 Chevrolet C10 |
| Best in Show: Hot Rod | 1935 Ford Roadster |
| Best in Show: Japanese Vehicle | 1972 Toyota Sprinter Trueno TE27 |
| Best in Show: Lowrider | 1964 Chevy Impala SS |
| Best in Show: Modified | 1927 Ford T Modified Lakes Roadster |
| Best in Show: Multi-Generational | 1962 Ford Custom Cab |
| Best in Show: Muscle | 1970 Oldsmobile 442 |
| Best in Show: Paint | 1961 Chevrolet Impala Convertible |
| Best in Show: Post-War | 1969 Citroen Break |
| Best in Show: Pre-War | 1930 Cadillac V-16 Roadster Convertible |
| Best in Show: Roadster | 1932 Ford |
| Best in Show: Women in Wheels | 1957 Chevy Stepside |
| Car That Stole Our Hearts | 1955 Bosley GT Mark 1 |
| Grand Marshall Award | 1962 Chevrolet Impala |
| Kids Choice: Grand Boulevard | 1949 Mercury from the movie Grease |
| Most Creative Display: Domestic Car Club | Long Beach Model T Club |
| Most Creative Display: Foreign Car Club | 1967 Austin Mini Pickup |
| People’s Choice Award | 1964 Mini Cooper |
| Special Anniversary Best in Show | Mini Owners of America |
The Classic Auto Show was supported by event sponsors Akzo Nobel, 3M, Hagerty, Meguiar’s, Original Parts Group (OPG), Kicker, Car Capsule, Tub O’ Towels, Ronald McDonald House of Central Valley, Airstream, and more. Media sponsors include Hemmings Motor News, Sports Car Market, MotorHead Media (Racing Junk.com), Old Cars Weekly, AutaBuy, Auto Round-Up, Epoch Times, Auto Trader, Petersen Automotive Museum, Automobile Driving Museum, San Diego Automotive Museum, California Automotive Museum, Southern California Newspaper Group, KTLA, KUSI, Los Angeles magazine, Orange Coast Magazine, among others.
About The Classic Auto Show
The Classic Auto Show with events in Southern California and Chicago is presented by LeftField Media, a division of Clarion Events. Clarion Events Global Auto Portfolio produces events in the U.K., South Africa and U.S. including The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, Race Retro, Classic Car and Restoration Show, among others. LeftField Media is a boutique events company focused on developing face-to-face events in a range of communities rooted in contemporary culture and shared passion.