www.ocpanteras.com            

July 2006

CONCOURS AT THE BEACH By Dave Rudderow, photos by Bill Harris.  Huntington Beach Concours d’Elegance on June 4th, 2006, was held with our usual sunny day at the city’s Central Library.  The 20th Annual Show was for the benefit of the Children’s reading and educational wing.

Twenty years ago a bunch of us started this car show in behalf of the children of Huntington Beach.  My sons used the facility for many hours of homework while I used it to do research projects for my around the world theme parks.

Bright and early (7:00AM after church) hundreds of car guys and gals drove, pushed or towed their favorite toys to the Huntington Beach Library.  The setting is a beautiful 350 acre park surrounding a lake with great trees, cool golf course like lawns and a bandstand.  Ducks are often seen playing in the cool water under the afternoon sun.  A band played rock and roll tunes all day from the bandstand which later doubled as the award ceremony platform.  Mothers was a sponsor and gave out 5 gallon buckets of their renown wax products along with trophies to the winners.  Every participant was given a goodie bag with some of their sample products along with other good stuff.

The cars and motorcycles gathered that day were a wide variety.  They ranged from an 1895 museum quality ‘Benz’ to brand new Corvettes and Ferraris, Lamborghinis, etc.  Many of the ‘usual suspects’ (TPOC members) were on hand to support and help with the event. Both Colleen Lister and Steve Freeman helped in the judging of some of the hundreds of great examples of exotic and domestic toys on hand.

We had a gathering of Pantera people all day long.  Visitors stopped by to share donuts and coffee, talk and visit.  Joining us were Judy McCarthy with both her son and grandson, Chris, Art Stephens and Roger (our own unofficial fire department).  Art’s blue Pantera is back on the road after four years of down time from a blown engine in Las Vegas but he was just a spectator this year.  Laurie Basile stopped by and talked to me about her tentative 2006 Corvette which gave me the opportunity to share my thoughts on my own bright yellow Vette.  Gary Wyatt, Carol Ann and daughter visited.  Both are running the “Concours d’Dragon” (dog and pony show) to save animals in the Southern California area on July 15th, 2006.  The run from Crystal Cove to Santa Fe Springs including lunch and awards is opened to all exotics and Panteras for our four legged friends.  Bill Wright showed up for coffee and donuts, a little bench racing and a discussion of his up coming purchase of a ‘GT 40’ toy.  Sadly he spoke of selling his very clean and stock white Pantera.  Gary Hirschberg and friend came by and confirmed our up coming swap meet at Byars Brothers shop, Precision Pro-formance on June 24th.  Gary is the event person for the Saturday meet.  Bob Singer (he’s the money man for TPOC) showed up to help cheer on the winning Panteras late in the day as the sun was setting on the water.

Panteras in the park amounted to the lowest count in years.  Gary Mitchem drove in with his shiny black Pantera (60 plus coats of wax) newly polished inside and out wheels.  You could eat off them!  A real crowd pleaser it was as they gathered around it all day long – a true Kodak moment!   Unfortunately, he declined to have it judged.  Kerry Foster brought out his bright sunshiny yellow cat.  It was a real showstopper and delighted everyone from the break of day to the closing. 

Rod Kunishige, Vice President of TPOC, won 1st Place in the best street driven class. His white ‘P’ car sported a new interior with a somewhat flat bulkhead – see another article.  Meanwhile, I won 1st Place for the Concours Pantera class with my freshly polished nitrous oxide motor and candy red paint!

Many onlookers asked about the cars.  They were surprised to learn of the car’s age and were struck by Tom Tjaarda’s timeless design.   We introduced some to the club.  Rod Kunishige and I talked for hours to perspective POCA and TPOC guys and dolls.  Topics ranged from hints on buying cars to the merits of joining our club.  We even got some of the ‘old guard’ from the past to rejoin.

 

Some members brought their other toys.  There was a Mustang corral with our own Beth and Paul Westberg showing their bright red weber inducted GT350 clone Mustang.  They shared space with twenty or thirty other hot Ford ponies and Saleens, one  with a great metallic copper color 7 racer and a modified Mustang.  Mustang was the featured marque and the competition was especially fierce.  Gary Kiebel and his daughter, Niki, entered his steel gray Turbo Porsche.  His daughter brought BBQ ribs, all the fixings and goodies even a birthday cake for her Dad.  Gary proclaimed it to be his 39th birthday party again.  We were all invited to join in the meal and his celebration.  Don’t ever miss a meal by Gary.  Steve Wilkinson of Panteras by Wilkinson won the class with his 1929 model ‘A’ Trick Truck.  You have to see this new Ford motor / ZF transaxle hydraulic lifting body to appreciate Steve’s love for detail.  He spoke briefly of a new project but was reluctant to yield any details.  We found Al Chellini with his red Ferrari (what other color).  He was in a valley of red and other color Ferraris set on the green landscape of the park.  His car was beyond clean and sparkled all day.  My yellow 1933 blown Willys AAGS vintage race car was entered, but due to unsafe brakes (mainly the lack thereof) could not make the show (800 HP 1700 lb car, a parachute but no brakes – you figure it out!).

Lost in the 50s’ were Bill Harris and Cindy Parsons who brought their class winning two tone green blue / blue green ’57 Chevy.  Cindy made shirts matching the same color as the car.  Their display, in and out of the car, was spectacular.  There was a host of fifties items within.  Even era correct captains chairs added immensely to the scene.

Honda was the motorcycle marque for this year’s show.  Bill’s 1966 Honda CL160 Scrambler was “Best of Show” in his group.  Great job Bill and Cindy!  You might recall that it was Honda who turned the motorcycle industry around in the early 60’s through its introduction of reliable cycles for the motoring public.  Its ads at the time offered fun for the family.  American, Italian and British issues were notoriously temperamental products.  (But next year, bring your award winning Pantera too.)

Ken Green stopped by, showing off his new yellow RSV mille R Avilla Italian motorcycle, and you know we like anything Italian with wheels that shine!  With 120 hp shifting at 9,500 rpm through 6 speeds, it’s a hot Italian wonder.  His Pantera is in being painted but should hit the road soon.

Rumor has it that in the coming year (2007) De Tomaso automobiles will be one of the Marques featured.  All in all it was a great day with cool friends, delicious food and some wonderful and shiny toys to inspect.

 See you next year whether you show your car or not!

 

Belmont Shore Show is a $25 must for Panteras each year. Register by 9/3 call 562 946-9800 or email baycityrodders@earthlink.net.  We meet Dave at Albertsons back parking lot on the corner of 2nd & PCH to leave by 6AM.  This year, we want to park on the main street to show that Panteras warrant primary spotlight.  So, polish your cat and set the alarm for an early time.  Someone usually brings extra coffee and donuts.  Or, join us as a spectator on 2nd street.  It is free.

Engine Pull.  Gather at Donut Derelicts Sept 22 to go to Gary Mitchem’s Cypress home 714 856-2435.  Let’s learn out to pull apart a Corvette while helping a fellow member.

Cruise for a Cure.  In memory of Rick Kincaid we show our stuff at OC Fair & Expo in Costa Mesa Sept 23.  Call Dave Rudderow or check www.cruisinforacure.com for details.  Sign in now cause it is limited to the first 3,300 cars.


 
TPOC 2nd Annual BBQ will feature a Neil Diamond impersonator at Ron & Gayle Huff’s lovely home.  It promises to outperform last year’s party.  So plan plenty of time to share stories with other California chapter members.  Call Dave Rudderow at 714 969-1301 so will can save a place for you and yours.

TPOC’s  Christmas Party will be very special with a new upscale site at Mesa Verde Country Club that promises to be even more fun than last year.  The dress code demands no denim clothing and appropriate dress.  Special parking will be reserved for 30 deTomaso cars.  Why not wander among these cats while holding that favorite drink in your hand?  Chat with about 75 of your closest friends from throughout California.  Contact Gayle Huff or Bob Singer for more info.

 

Reminders:   from rkunishige@hotmail.com

Aug 13       Long Beach Swap at Memorial Stadium.

Aug 18-19   Concorso Italiano & PI’s Laguna Seca Historics sign up early.

Aug 26       TPOC 2nd Annual BBQ at Ron & Gayle Huff home.  Neil Diamond impersonator to join us again.

Sep 10        Belmont Shore Show is a $25 must for Panteras each year. Register by 9/3 call 562 946-9800 or email baycityrodders@earthlink.net.  We meet Dave at Albertsons on the corner of 2nd & PCH to leave by 6AM.

Sep 10        Long Beach Swap at Memorial Stadium.

Sep 14-17   ORR Silver Road Race, Ely, Nevada.  Contact Dennis Antenucci 626-796-3800 Ext 116.

Sep 17        Long Beach Swap at Memorial Stadium.

Sep 22        Engine Pull.  Gather at Donut Derelicts to go to Gary Mitchem Cypress home to pull the tired Vette motor.

Sep 23        Cruise for a Cure.  In memory of Rick Kincaid we show our stuff at OC Fair & Expo in Costa Mesa.  Call Dave Rudderow or check www.cruisinforacure.com.

Oct 6-8       Wine Run Paul Westberg 714-508-1780 directs this weekend of sensual delights. Reports from last year promise a memorable event.  Tour Santa Ynes Valley then up to San Luis Obispo. 

Oct 8          Long Beach Swap at Memorial Stadium.

Nov 4-5      Willow Springs Open Track featuring Panteras and Ferraris---Jim Saxton 626 285-2024.  This TPOC event is on the fastest track in the West.  It is often seen on Speed TV for car testing.   Why not test your ride where the pros test?  This event is for pro and novice alike classed in 4 groups.

Nov 12       Long Beach Swap at Memorial Stadium.

Nov 26       Long Beach Swap at Memorial Stadium.

Dec 3         TPOC Christmas Party RSVP to Dave Rudderow or Bob Singer to join this SoCal chapters yearly $35 event.

Dec 10       Long Beach Swap at Memorial Stadium.

Mar            Willow Springs Open Track sponsored by Jim Saxton 626 285-2024. 

Apr 25-29   POCA Las Vegas Fun Rally

 

Phyllis still has the badges for Ken and Joan Carr.  Claim them (the badges not the Carrs) at any meeting.  Let me know if you would like a badge of your own.  They are once in a lifetime units.

 

Write an article of your own and submit it to Mike Drew, Jack Deryke, or Dave Adler. 

 

Please send any changes to Judy McCartney at jpoca2@hotmail.com  ‘cause we’re considering sending a TPOC roster to you.  Check your phone numbers, email address and most importantly your associate’s name.  Oops, it’s not normally listed but we do want it for our database anyway.  Then tell us what info you’d like to include or exclude in the roster to all our chapter members.  I’m considering placing all the info into a TPOC directory for you.

 

Missing members are those that did not attend the last meeting at Mimi’s.  Of the 94 TPOC members, only 14 were there  to help direct the club’s activities.  Please consider marking your calendar for at least one meeting this year.