Show Cars Hit the Road for Rotary

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By Charlie Warner, Special to the Independent

Jim Roy’s classic Fiat joins the car show line-up.
Jim Roy’s classic Fiat joins the car show line-up.

The Laguna Beach Classic Car Show pulls into town Sunday, Oct. 2, a 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. affair that features interesting cars and often interesting car owners alongside their vintage autos. The event will take place in the parking lot opposite the Festival of Arts’ grounds.

Expect to see George Nelson, owner of the Laguna Beach gift shop Fawn Memories. He’ll be showing off his restored wood-paneled 1946 Ford. The car is “a labor of love,” he said. “I’ve probably had it for 20 years.”

The iconic woody was a pioneer in design, leading to many others like it, said Nelson, who confessed to a life-long obsession with cars that began in childhood. He figures he’s devoted 10 years worth of labor  restoring his Ford, but he owns other classis as well. His collection includes a 1967 Morris Minor traveller woody. Only 800 of the rare English cars remain, he said. As of yet, the Morris Minor has not needed any serious restoration, Nelson said.

Nelson recognizes the historical implications of his cars. “Woody cars in general are iconic to the beach scene. You’re seeing history from the ‘60s that everybody loves to see,” he said.

The car show organized by the Laguna Beach Rotary Club is in its 11th year. Besides Nelson’s car, it will feature 200 classic automobiles ranging from turn-of-the-century antiques to muscle cars of the ‘60s. Admission is $10, and all proceeds go towards charitable and local nonprofit organizations.

For more info: go to www.lagunabeachcarshow.com.

Author Charlie Warner is an Indy intern.

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