Gilbert Botello parks his customized blue LED lit ‘69 Ford Galaxie 500XL convertible during the Temecula Rod Run Friday Night Cruise. Shane Gibson photos
It was difficult to tell who enjoyed Friday and Saturday more, classic car owners or the spectators in attendance at the second annual city sponsored Temecula Rod Run in Old Town Temecula that brought an estimated 45,000 people to the historic city.
More than 700 shiney, tricked out classic cars and trucks lined every block in Old Town delighting both old and young visitors, some as far away as Minnesota and Indiana.
“This is a great show,” John Simler said. “I wouldn’t miss it.” Simler sat in front of his iridescent blue and lavender 1956 Lincoln Premier he drove across the country to show at the Temecula Rod Run.
Onlookers clicked cameras, awed by the 368 cubic inch, 300-horsepower classic that seemed to change colors in front of them.
“Wow, how did you do that,” one visitor asked a smiling Simler. He happily explained how he had the painters mix pink and pearl paint to make the amethyst glow.
Dawn Adamiak, Temecula Recreation Supervisor, in charge of the weekend event, said more than 700 car owners signed up for the show this year.
“This is our biggest signature event of the year,” she said.
Last year the city took over the sponsorship of the event that brought about 60,000 visitors and 725 cars to Temecula. Her hopes of bringing as many this year was assisted by the 80 degree weather that delighted the car owners and spectators.
Since last year the city made a few changes to the venue that obviously paid off by the compliments given by the drivers and owners during the weekend.
Dennis Bowers of Temecula who showed his 1965 El Camino this year said, “The city has done a really good job of developing and promoting the Rod Run this year. I know they are always looking for new ways the help the drivers.
“This year they gave us assigned spaces before the race,” he continued. “It is great. We didn’t need to keep our cars in a first come, first served space all night.”
Rick Halleman who drove his 1955 Chevy Nomad from Upland to show, agreed. “What a well-run show, very organized. A great show. People are nice. I’ve been coming for the past seven years, this is the best yet. What a turnout!”
The fun of the show was not only apparent with the drivers, the crowds from the Friday Night Cruise to the Saturday awards presentation jammed the entire six blocks of historic Old Town. The weather was perfect.
Friday night, the drivers mounted their cars to begin a cruise not soon to be forgotten by the visitors.
“Come on! Rev up those engines drivers!” shouted Geoffrey Gaier the city’s master of ceremonies for the event.
The microphone he was holding only enhanced the rumble and boom of the classic cars’ open headers as they rolled by at Old Town Front Street and Main. As the ground shook from the exhausts, little children screamed and ducked behind their parents. Laughter followed as each proceeding classic vehicle driver hit the accelerator shooting fire, smoke and emitting a shattering noise emanating from the headers. It was hard to tell whether the drivers or the spectators enjoyed the show more.
As the sky became darker the boardwalk lights came on and the drivers switched on their cars’ headlights, courtesy lamps and colored undercarriage arrays. The pavement danced with the colors, red, white, purple and blue. Antennas, sporting raccoon tails on some cars, came alive with color.
Crowds, pleased with the displays clapped and shouted approval. “I love Novas,” one spectator yelled. Another responded, “No Corvettes, Corvettes!”
As large as the crowds were, Temecula police officers in large numbers found little to do as the crowd remained orderly throughout the evening. The only hitch of the day for the Temecula officers and supporting California Highway Patrol was a tractor trailer fire on the I-15 Saturday morning that shut down the Old Town southbound Temecula Parkway off ramp for a time.
The fun, for many, did not end with the Friday Night Cruise when dawn arrived Saturday. The Show and Shine portion of the event began at 9 a.m. as the 12 car show judges fanned out to examine the cars before making a decision on which one or ones were the best.
Cars filled with family and friends poured into Old Town and the surrounding parking areas for the second day of the show. The planners, foreseeing overloaded parking in Old Town, closed off the six-block show area from arch to arch and directed traffic to designated parking areas. Shuttle buses and parking at the old city hall were provided for latecomers.
Merchants opened their doors, vendors pushed back their canvases on their booths, and stage crews went to work setting up the Town Square Stage for the musicians scheduled to entertain. The Fun Zone next to the Town Square quickly filled up with little children eyeing the many jumpers, brought in by sponsor Jolly Jumps of Temecula/Murrieta. Lines formed for the special zip line brought in for the day.
Community Services booth workers did a brisk business selling Rod Run hats, T-shirts and pins. BMW of Murrieta, a major sponsor of the event, surrounded its booth on Main Street with the latest BMWs on the market and one of their own classic BMWs. The outside tables of the many Old Town restaurants remained full through the day so customers were able to get relaxing “front row seats” to the event.
John Petralia from Murrieta, busy dusting off his 1931 Ford Model A Highboy, watched as the crowd paraded by.
“What a great group of people,” he said. “This show brings out generations of people – young and old. It was so good for me to see young kids who liked my old cars. I know they will carry on the appreciation of these cars, like I have, in the many generations to come. “It is the preservation of our automotive history.”
Next to Petralia’s Ford, passersby peeked under the hoods of David Gonzales three cars. Gonzales like others entered more than one car in the contest hoping for an end of the day trophy. His 1939 Chevy Sedan, 1932 Ford 2-door sedan and a 1932 Ford Roadster were among his most prized possessions.
As the day wore on families moved up to the Town Square to refresh and rest themselves in the shade of the trees. Those with some energy left danced on the green grass in front of the stage where Jonnie Fox & the Satinettes performed some familiar ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s pop music. Earlier in the day The Hot Rod Trio rocked and rolled on the stage. Some of the youngsters did cartwheels and somersaults for their parents. “Water for a dollar!,” one of the vendors surrounding the square shouted.
At 3:45 p.m. the city Rod Run staff brought out the shiny wheel-shaped trophies and plaques to a table on the stage. There were 12 trophies and four plaques in all. Hopeful drivers and owners gathered around the stage to hear the results. The big winner of the event was Dennis Sechrest with his 1950 classic Oldsmobile. (See the companion story for the winner listings).
The 2015 Temecula Rod Run, according to those who attended and city staff, was a great success.