North Park Historical Society’s old car show returns
By Dave Fidlin | SDUN Reporter
For the past several years, an event showcasing the evolution of automobiles has taken hold in North Park. From early century Ford Model Ts to 1980s Thunderbirds, spectators have been able to marvel at a variety of San Diegans’ classic car collections.
The North Park Historical Society (NPHS) is bringing back its North Park Car Show for the fourth consecutive year Sept. 7, in the Balboa Tennis Club parking lot at Morley Field. The show is from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
In years past, registrants – many of them North Park residents – have displayed upwards of 60 cars at the show. Steve Hon, president of NPHS, said so far 40 people have registered their cars for the upcoming 2013 show.
Hon and other NPHS members conceived the car show in 2010 as a venue to spread the word about the organization’s mission and create an event people of all ages could enjoy.
“The whole idea of the car show is to provide an event for the community,” Hon said. “People have had a good time at some of the past shows. They enjoy looking at the old cars.”
In addition to the exhibition, members of NPHS will host a booth near the Balboa Tennis Club in an effort to share information about the society.
There is no cover charge for the car show, but NPHS is asking all entrants to pay $10 per entered vehicle. The showcase doubles as a competition, and trophies will be awarded for cars taking first, second and third place. All entrants who pre-register will receive a certificate.
NPHS has set a Saturday, Aug. 31 deadline to register for the car show. However, people can showcase their prized classic car the day of the event without registration, so long as the 70-car threshold is not broken.
Hon said NPHS defines classic cars as ones originating prior to 1990. In earlier years, he said a wide range of entries have graced the grounds of the Balboa Tennis Club and the Birch North Park Theatre, a prior venue in the show’s first two years.
Hon said the oldest entry to date was last year’s 1914 Ford Model T from a collector out of Escondido, Calif. Other entries from the automobile’s infancy have included a 1928 Ford Model A and a 1930 Plymouth Sedan.
“You just never know what’s going to show up, and that’s part of what makes this fun,” Hon said.
Last year’s People’s Choice Grand Trophy winner was a 1965 VW Westfalia Camper. Runner-ups were a 1954 Studebaker Commander Regal Starlight Coupe and a 1949 Dodge Power Wagon.
The car show serves as a fundraiser for NPHS’ programs and initiatives. In addition to entry fees, NPHS receives funding through sponsorships by North Park-based businesses and organizations.
Hon said this year’s proceeds will go toward a second history book the organization is producing about North Park and its origins. NPHS is teaming up with Arcadia Publishing, a firm that has put out a series of history books across the country under the “Images of America” title.
While South Carolina-based Arcadia funds the cost of publishing the books, authors are responsible for funding and securing the rights to historical photographs.
“The funds will help us in obtaining some of those photos, and have the rights to have them reproduced,” Hon said. “It will be an important part of the book.”
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: North Park Historical Society’s fourth annual North Park Car Show
WHEN: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7
WHERE: parking lot of the Balboa Tennis Club courts within Morley Field Sports Complex, 2221 Morley Field Dr.
COST: free to attendees; contestants pay $10 entry fee for one car, $20 for two or three cars
INFORMATION: northparkhistory.org, 619-294-8990
