Summer 2017 is now in full swing, and if you are a musclecar fan living in sunny Southern California, then chances are you have heard of the All-American Car Show. Now in its 19th year, the All-American Car Show truly is the go-to event for SoCal muscle car fans. The car show, hosted by Mopar Club San Diego (MCSD), hit well over 200 cars in attendance this year and is not only a show that celebrates musclecar enthusiasts but it also raises money for a great cause.
And what better place to put on a summer event than the SoCal coastal town of Cardiff by the Sea. For the last couple years, the large, open parking lot at Mira Costa College has provided plenty of space and much-needed shade for the event, and it seems like Mopar Club San Diego has found the perfect venue for car guys and girls to enjoy a full day of fun in the sun.
The weather at this years event was picture perfect and had many in attendance showing up early and staying until the entire event was finished. Being close to the coast helps keep the temps down, and the beach town of Cardiff only adds to the relaxed environment.
Even though MCSD hosts this event each year, what makes this show so unique is that it is open to all vehicles, makes, and models. The event featured a wide variety of vehicles. From muscle cars to street trucks, fully restored vehicles to even electric vehicles (yes, someone had a Tesla on display!), the event has something for everyone to enjoy.
Of course, this show wouldn’t be a success without the great help and the great donations provided by the participants and spectators. As always, Mopar Club of San Diego All American Car Show benefits our military and its families through charitable organizations such as: Paralyzed Veterans of America, Warrior Foundation Freedom Station, Wounded Warrior Homes, USO San Diego, and Homefront San Diego.
A SoCal Car Show For A Great Cause
The All American Car Show is the signature event put on by The Mopar Club San Diego each year. All show proceeds are donated to a designated local charity selected by the club. Since 2007, Mopar Club San Diego has donated the show proceeds to Homefront San Diego.
For 2009 the club added the USO San Diego as a recipient. In 2015, they also added both Wounded Warrior Homes and Warrior Foundation Freedom Station as recipients of show proceeds. At last year’s event, the club was able to donate $10,000 to our these beneficiaries.
At this year’s event, Mopar Club of San Diego enlisted the help of the Navy’s Chief Petty Officer’s Club.
“This year, our hamburger and hot dogs are being prepared and served by members of the Navy’s Chief Petty Officers Club, all active duty members. We’re very proud to have them.” – Larry Johnson, AACS Chairman
The Chief’s Mess did an outstanding job, and even though they were extremely busy keeping show goers fed throughout the entire event, they still managed to find the time to take pictures and answer any Navy related questions for the crowd.
One of the coolest trophies had to be the Armed Services Trophy that was awarded to an active/former military car enthusiast at the event.
ALL AMERICAN CAR SHOW XIX SPECIAL CATEGORY TROPHY WINNERS
Best Modern Muscle:
’14 Saleen 302 – Dick Eimers
SPONSORED BY SVS CONSULTING
Best Classic Muscle:
’70 Chevy Chevelle SS 454 – John Clifton
SPONSORED BY DOUG WEAST
Best Vintage (Pre-50’s):
’30 Plymouth Roadster – Eddie Trudershiem
SPONSORED BY WALKER COMM.
NIFTY 50’S:
’58 Lincoln Continental – Mike & Jodie Williams
SPONSORED BY NATALE & CHARLIE SHAWL
FAB 60’S:
’63 Studebaker Avanti – Grant Peirano
SPONSORED BY BOB & DEBBIE GOUGH
Rockin 70’s:
’70 Ford Torino GT – Doug Clarke
SPONSORED BY JOHN & ELAINE JOSEPH
Best Corvette:
’59 Chevy Corvette – Dick & Wava Zorker
SPONSORED BY R & J MOTORS/ESCONDIDO
Best Flames:
’32 Ford Coupe – Ralph Garcia
SPONSORED BY LYNDA & RICK BOBICK
Best Hot Rod:
’32 Ford Coupe – Jeff Moore
SPONSORED BY PAL JOEY’S
Best Truck:
’63 Ford F-150 – Lynn Christy
SPONSORED BY BOURDAGE FAMILY
Best Custom:
’56 Ford T-Bird – Rich Lucas
SPONSORED BY MOPAR KNIGHTS OF SO-CAL
Best Import:
’63 Austin Healy 3000 – Mike Prout
SPONSORED BY WALKER COMM.
Best Sleeper:
’59 Studebaker – Stanley Haverland
SPONSORED BY TOM & TERRY FERREIRA
Best Convertible:
’70 Olds Cutlass Supreme – Anthony Denicola
SPONSORED BY BILL & BARBARA BAUGH
Best Race Car:
’70 Dodge Swinger – Marc Lang
SPONSORED BY KELLER RACING
Best Engine:
’53 Ford F-100 – Dwayne Richardson
SPONSORED BY WEBMASTER MOPAR CLUB PAUL POLENTZ
Bad To The Bones:
’31 Chevy 2-DR – Ken Whitney
SPONSORED BY MIKE’S BBQ/ESCONDIDO
Best GM That’s Not A Bowtie:
’65 Buick Rivera – Jim Eslarceca
SPONSORED BY JOHN BOVILLE
Best Paint:
’65 Chevy El Camino – Ed Trudersheim
SPONSORED BY MOPARS BY JACK
Best Mustang:
’67 Mustang – William Vensoe
SPONSORED BY PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL SUPPLY
Best Ford:
’54 F-100 – Mary Hunter
SPONSORED BY CARL ASHWORTH
Best Chevy:
’68 Chevy Nova – Craig Barnett
SPONSORED BY JBA SPEED SHOP
Best MOPAR:
’64 Plymouth Fury – Bill Whitson
SPONSORED BY MARV REISER RACING
Armed Services Trophy:
’16 Dodge Challenger – Allen Padilla
SPONSORED BY TOM GARCIA
Best of Show:
’49 Buick 2 Dr – David Lewis
SPONSORED BY RANCHO CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM
The All American Car Show was a fun event and the awards that were handed out this year were top notch. Over 30 separate awards were given out including ten people’s choice awards.
The two biggest trophies were the Armed Services Trophy and Best Of Show, but at an event like this, with raffles and prizes being handed out throughout the day, chances are you were not going to leave empty handed.
Of course, Mopar Club San Diego would not have been able to pull off a show of this magnitude without all of the generous support from the numerous vendors and shops that helped sponsor the event.
It’s was very cool to see supporters like JBA Speed Shop and even the United States Navy’s Chief Mess on hand providing their support this year. Check out the huge gallery below for a list of some of our favorite cars and stay tuned for our top picks from this year’s event.
