by Charlie Caldwell - "Foreign Correspondent"
Autoweek Magazine called it "Car-Lovers Heaven", however that was only part of the story!

August in the San Francisco Bay area is indeed car lovers heaven. All month long there are a multitude of events that will attract everyone interested in automobiles. On the Monterey Peninsula, one hundred miles south of San Francisco, the weekend of August 16-18 was the place to be for the sports
car racing fans, the classic car buffs, the automobile investors and the people who love to dwell on the Italian cars.

Pebble Beach is always outstanding. the show features expensive classic cars, and the price tag of $100.00 American per ticket does serve to keep the riff raff away. Of course this crowd goes all out, the ladies wearing fancy hats and designer outfits accompanied by their men, mostly in blue blazers. This event also takes place at the same time as the Sunday spectacular at the race track at Laguna Seca, only a few miles away.

The Monterey Historic Automobile Races featured Corvette this year and many famous cars of historic significance were there to put on the show. This racing series features cars from every era of American Auto Racing from the teen cars 90 years old to the Formula racers of the 1970's. It is a great thrill to see late 60's Mustangs and Camaros fighting it out just like Parnelli Jones and Penske did in the Trans Am series over 40 years ago. The rules are, go as fast as you want, fight it out to win the race but don't bend any sheet metal or you will not be invited back next year, or maybe never, unless your name is Sterling Moss.

Pebble Beach and Laguna Seca also attract the people interested in the Italian Cars and many of them are at the Concorso Italiano held each year at the Quail Lodge in the Carmel Valley. A great place to pick off a wonderful old Ferrari or Lamborgini at the auction.

All that aside, Carl Asaro's car show in San Mateo on August 17 let the local folks dust off the street rods and muscle cars to benefit the kids participating in the Special Olympics. Carl and his family work all year to put on the show and gather sponsors for this charity event. 312 cars were shown this day raising $ 20,300.00 for the kids.

August 18 was the Deuce Day picnic in Novoto. This affair was formerly hosted by Andy and Sue Brizio and is now a function of the Jokers car club in Richmond California. Upon entering Stafford Lake Park, your eyes are drawn to the mass of color! Green grass and beautiful cars of every color imaginable. There were two Chevrolets, two Plymouths, one Chrysler and two hundred and six 1932 Fords. A wonderful day for sightseeing, meeting old friends and making new aquaintances. (Editor's note: we'll be bringing you pics of this great event)

During the week of August 19th, the Good Guys host rod runs to places with automotive interest. Runs depart daily from the Hilton Hotel in Pleasanton, travel one hundred miles or so each way, visit automobile memorabilia collections, huge stacks of vintage tin, wheel manufactures, Craig Breedlove's land speed record project etc. Thursday night before the Nationals, The Danville Merchants Assn. host one of eight "Summer Nights" series of car shows on the main street of this delightful village in the San Ramon Valley. Before the nationals about 1500 cars gather, the streets are cleared, the street rods parked, and spectators come out and walk shoulder to shoulder to see all the toys. The Harley guys park on the back street, hang out at the Danville Hotel and park several hundred bikes handle bar to handle bar, but leave plenty of space for the Arlen Ness creations.

On Friday it begins, The Street Rod Nationals, presented by the Good Guys at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton,California. Friday is a great time to visit the hundreds of vendor booths, the crowds are a little smaller, Saturday, everyone arrives, almost 4000 street rods and of course the spectators. The crowds are huge!

Just a couple of comments about the Nationals. As the years go by, the quality of cars people are driving seems to get better and better. The imagination, creativity and craftsmanship is a wonder to behold! It just doesn't seem to be able to get any better but it always does. Rather than show you a bunch of car pictures, things you will see in magazines, or other stories of wonderful things, I just wanted to share with you something you can use. When I say hot rodders are creative, look and see how many stories can be told in just seven spaces, using numbers and letters and blanks to express and emotion, an idea, or a statement. Maybe here is something you can use.

Come to the Bay area in August, it is a thrill to participate in the "Feast for the eyes".

Charlie