Vintage Car Show turns golden

The 50th annual Fallbrook Vintage Car Show was indeed pure gold. Breaking all attendance records and number of classic car entries, the spectacular event, held Sunday, May 24, on the grass at Pala Mesa Resort was a sight to behold.

Live music, multiple food booths, a beer and wine garden, raffles and an outstanding children's play area, made the event sponsored by the Fallbrook Vintage Car Club perfect for the entire family. It appears from early estimates that over 10,000 people attended the event.

The show consisted of over 400 vintage and classic vehicles of all colors, makes, and models. The 60 available swap meet booths were sold out and numerous local organizations were provided with an opportunity to educate attendees on Fallbrook.

Live entertainment and featured events during the show also increased dramatically from past years. The Fallbrook High School rock band opened the show, with the young talent being admired by many.

When Sgt. Pepper's Beatles' tribute band took the stage in the afternoon, dancers took to their feet and showed their enjoyment publicly.

Fallbrook Car Club president Roy Moosa started the show with a welcoming address, after which the Colors were presented by Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1924. The National Anthem was sung by local singer, Sasha La Russo.

At the show, Mrs. Kathleen Stiles was honored. Her husband, the late Paul Stiles, was the founder of the Fallbrook Vintage Car Club. She spoke to those in attendance about the beginning years when a small group of men gathered together to share their interest in automobiles and develop a show that would produce funds for the needy people in Fallbrook. Stiles also said how "proud and impressed" her husband would be if he were alive to witness the expansion of the car club into the large social and charitable organization that is today.

The team of hard-working car club volunteers that planned this year's show began back in October making strategic decisions. Co-chairmen Mike McGuire and Doug Allen recruited approximately 20 people to service on their committee in various capacities.

The committee worked diligently throughout the fall, winter and spring seasons in order to bring the car show to fruition at Pala Mesa Resort. The vintage show cars (25 years or older) that were on display ranged from those of the brass era, Model A’s and T’s, to domestic vehicles, stock cars, woodies, hot rods, trucks, motorcycles and even un-restored models that gave all those attending the opportunity to see at least one or two of their own personal favorite set of wheels.

Twelve 1965 model vehicles, of various manufacturers, were selected by the committee from the show car entry list to be the featured cars that represented a cross section of the autos manufactured 50 years ago, the same year the first Vintage Car Show was held in Fallbrook.

Numerous awards were presented at the conclusion of the show. See winners list with this article.

Category Winner’s Name Vehicle

Best of Show – Stock Chuck Taylor 1968 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible

Best of Show – Modified Ralph and Karen Moody 1959 Chevy Impala 2 Door

S - 1950s Modified Norm Huie 1965 Ford Falcon Station Wagon

Miss Fallbrook Award Karla Niles 1965 Mustang Convertible

FVCC Presidents Choice Archie Kuehn 1957 Lincoln Premier

Fallbrook Honorary Mayor’s Award Bob and Sue Harrison 1956 Chevy 210 Station Wagon

TA - Model T and A – stock all years Les VonNordheim 1929 Roadster Pick-up

A - Pre-1920s Stock – except Model T Bob Walter 1910 Loco Mobile

B - Best Stock 1920’s (except Model T’s and A’s) Kenneth Endter 1929 Roosevelt 4 - Door Sedan

C - 1930s Domestic Stock Rick Moreno 1936 Ford 2 - Door Sedan

D - 1940s Domestic Stock Dino Harrison 1949 Oldsmobile Convertible

E - 1950s Domestic Stock Peggy Sue Stern 1959 Ford Galaxie 500 Skyliner

F - 1960’s Domestic Stock Paul Garcia 1967 Camaro RS

G - 1970-1990 Domestic Stock John, Connie, Joseph 1970 Dodge Charger

H - 1960s & 1970s Factory Stock Muscle Brian Harding 1970 Plymouth Superbird

I - 1960s & 1970s Factory Stock Pony Michael Dodge 1969 Mustang Boss 302

J - Woodies thru 1990 Russell Smith 1951 Ford Woodie

K - Thunderbirds thru 1990 David Lella 1956 T-Bird

L - Corvettes thru 1990 Harry Rieger 1963 Corvette Stingray

M - Foreign Sports Cars thru 1990 Barry Connally 1964 Triumph Spitfire

- - Foreign Sedan & Convertible thru 1990 Paul Bauman 1973 Mercedes

O - Pickups, Trucks Stock thru 1990 Gary Loomer 1947 Crosley Truck

P - Pickups, Trucks Modified thru 1990 Jerry & Jackie Johnson 1956 Ford F-100 Truck

Q - Pre-1940 Modified Ralph Suarez 1935 Ford 2 - Door Sedan

R - 1940s Modified Ralph Berger 1940 Ford Coupe

S - 1950s Modified Mark Laeger 1957 Chevy Nomad

T - 1960s Modified Vance Bjorklund 1965 Mustang

U - 1970-1990 Modified Michael Miller 1975 Ford Ranchero Squire

V - Original Unrestored thru 1990 Steve Halluska 1966 Chevrolet Caprice

W - Special Use Vehicles Tom Rossi 1952 International COE Truck

See Gallery (17)