This year’s Pacific Beach Hot Rod and Classic Car Show is gearing up to be one of most entertaining yet, with a bikini contest, a Michael Jackson impersonator and more than 200 classic cars and motorcycles on exhibit.
A signature beach community event, the show runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24 on Garnet Avenue between Mission Boulevard and Dawes Street, as well as along Bayard Street between Garnet Avenue and the alley and on Cass Street between Garnet Avenue and the alley.
Highlights of the show include the nitro-burning Wild Thang dragster that shoots flames 30 feet in the air, along with the Michael Keaton Batmobile and Christine from the movie of the same name both on display.
It’s the sixth year for the car show themed “Charger Steve’s Wild Rides & Classic Car Showdown.” Now in its fifth year in Pacific Beach, the event is presented by Sycuan Casino. “There will be all different types, styles, makes and years of cars, plus many vendors in case you want to purchase some new shades or a T-shirt. We’ll have a mix of everything,” promised Charger Steve, who hosts and promotes the annual event.
The classic car show initially was held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds but has since found a permanent home in Pacific Beach.
“I shoot for the stars,” said Charger Steve, who said putting on the annual PB event is “my first love and really quite the accomplishment.”
New this year to the car show is the Keaton Batmobile, which Charger Steve described as “an amazing vehicle that is just awesome to look at.” Also on display will be the actual car used in the thriller big-screen movie “Christine,” perhaps the most famous haunted-car movie of all time, inspired by the Stephen King novel.
“We’ll have some really nice choppers on display,” said Charger Steve, adding the “hit of the party,” as usual, will be the Wild Thang dragster spectacle.
“It’s a fan favorite for sure and it will be back this year,” he said, adding Wild Thang’s operators overcame adversity to make sure the attraction appeared again at this year’s show.
There will be a variety of entertainment, including at least one performer guaranteed to knock your socks off.
“We have a really fantastic Michael Jackson impersonator who is really astonishing that we’re looking forward to,” said Charger Steve.
He said the bikini contest hosted annually by Hollywood Tans is always a crowd pleaser. Steve added there will be entertainment throughout the event, including music, magic and dance. The winner of the car show will be announced at 3 p.m.
A car aficionado who has become an event promoter, Charger Steve said classic car shows are becoming increasingly popular. He runs a similar, much smaller car exhibit in El Cajon on Wednesdays and says his once-a-year-Pacific Beach show is like having “a car show on steroids.”
For more information, visit wwwchargersteve.com or www.carclubcouncilofsandiego.com.