Car Show Enthusiast Winners Took the Stage at Ramona Oaks Park

Cars play a vital role in people's lives, serving not only as a key source of transportation but also as a way to connect with others. Every car has a story, and on Saturday, September 21, classic car owners came together to bond over their collective passion and appreciate the work and history behind every automobile. Enthusiasts were staged around their vehicles at Ramona Oaks Park with family and friends while community members mingled.  The commendable classics were parked on the grass, and many owners showcased the ins and outs of their automobiles, opening their hoods and revving their engines.

The first place People's Choice Award went to John Carterette and his 1955 Porsche Type 55 Spider; second place went to Steve and Linda Glau and their 1967 Camaro RS/SS; third place went to Tom and Kathy Luckie and their 1967 Austin Healey.

Third-place winner Tom Luckie, Jr. and his father, 87-year-old Tom Luckie, Sr., restored their two Austin Healey cars side by side over 30 years. They built their cars together—Luckie, Jr.'s 1959 and his father's 1967, which they took back to Tennessee, where he resides. Luckie, Jr. sold his car 15 years ago and brought his father's car back to California last year, and he told his father he would win something with the car. He won at the car show that night. The father and son put a lot of work into their automobiles as nothing is left unrestored on his beautiful car. Luckie, Jr. texted his father updates and photos of the car show throughout the evening.

San Diego Country Estates resident of 43 years, Bill Schacht, has attended the car show every year for about 12 years. He drives through cruise night with Ramona American Graffiti Cruise and likes to see all the people at the event. He brought his 1940 Ford Deluxe 5-window Coupe to display. He bought the car in 2015 and spent five years restoring it. His wife Carol helped restore the car, doing the upholstery inside the vehicle. Bill said the parts and vendors used to restore the car were "all sourced locally" in Ramona.

Another couple, Mark and Alison Farrin, have been married for 40 years and together for 45 years. Mark has had his 1973 Plymouth Road Runner for 50 years, longer than he has known his wife. "The car was five years old when I met her," says Mark. It was brand new when he started college. The car is a Root Beer color and has a big engine equipped with the "beep-beep" Roadrunner horn. They like the setting of this car show and say the cars look better on the grass.

This event is made possible by the hard work and dedication of several people. Crystal Carle, Accounting Assistant on the Human Resources Team for the San Diego Country Estates Association, has been helping put on the car show for years with her husband of 13 years, Brandon. "He helps me every year, measuring out the park for parking spaces and a designated driving lane for the vehicles," says Crystal. She has a 1967 Camaro, and Brandon has a 1969 Jeepster Commando. "We both share a love of old cars." They did not show their vehicles this year but hope to start restoration on both cars in the next year or so.

"My dad just bought a Corvette, his dream car," says Crystal. They are very close, and he is the one who got her into cars, teaching her how to change her oil and brakes, among other things. Her dad, Frank Klopp, had his torch-red Corvette on display at the car show, which attracted a lot of attention. Klopp is 82 years old, and he says it took him 82 years to finally get his dream car. "It was my dream car since it came out," says Klopp. "I'm a Chevy guy."

Crystal also wants to thank the people who volunteer to make the car show a success. Milt Galik, head of Patrol at SDCEA, volunteers every year to help place car show signs in the community and then picks them up after the event. This is such a help to Crystal each year. Tannis Dickson, Juli Elliott, and Nim Miranda volunteer to help count votes, locate winners, and check in cars the day of the show. Crystal says their help and support are worth so much, and she wouldn't be able to do the show without such amazing people volunteering their time each year. "I love the relationships and connections I've made over the years organizing the event, and it is a blessing to me to be able to watch so many enjoy the show each year," says Crystal.

Photos by Tiffany Pressler.