Free Car Show Draws a Crowd

Sun-kissed orange hues, vibrant greens, and painted reds of vintage cars and custom hot rods were on display for onlookers to see in the city of Redlands at a free car show held September 15th. In the parking lot of the Citrus Plaza, the classiest, shiniest, and fully customized automobiles lined up in rows where local participants were showing off their clean and detailed cars and engines. With the sponsoring of surrounding stores and restaurants located in the Citrus Plaza like Five Guys Burgers, Chili’s, and T-Mobile, 50/50 raffle tickets were being auctioned off. The winners received a variety of prizes and free food coupons from the sponsoring stores. Participant Tim Drake, a local car showman who owned and customized his VW GT Avenger kit car, which had been featured in the Japanese VW magazine, excitedly explained, “I have put so much work in this car. I love to just show it off, especially when I am on the road and my blue lights are shining while i am riding through the night.” As music from the 70’s plays through the speakers, Vernon McDowell, an owner of a vintage hot rod truck shares a heartfelt story explaining how his car was given to him by his brother who wanted him to stay out of trouble. Because it had really helped him to do so for the past 37 years, he has been more than willing to continually lend a helping hand to others in the San Bernardino community, giving rides or allowing kids who admire his hot rod the opportunity to just climb in and explore, especially during times and events of Route 66. Vernon McDowell states, “I have been taking apart and putting this truck back together for the past 15 years and just finally customized it with hydraulics. The kids love to see the way it moves, it surprises them.” While Vernon McDowell flips his hot rod’s switches, and the crowd watches his truck move up and down as if it were dancing to the music playing through the speakers, Richard Garcia, who customized and personally hand-painted the details of his red 1978 Monte Carlo sits in the shade. Richard Garcia said, “Attending the car shows and being a participant in it is a great experience. I love to see what others have done and how they have customized their cars. Being here and bringing my son to see the cars reminds me of what I used to do with my dad. It’s a family tradition to be part of something like this.” The next monthly free car show will be held in Calimesa, Saturday, September 21st.