Car show presents some blasts from the past

Vic Loh’s car looks like a genuine museum piece. A 1912 Ford

horseless carriage, it features a steering wheel that rests between

the driver’s knees and side mirrors the size of margarine lids.

But Loh and his wife still use it as a functioning vehicle -- as

is apparent from the color TV installed in the front seat.

“We drive it every week from Dana Point to Huntington Beach,” said

Loh, of Laguna Niguel. “It’s our favorite thing to do. It’s kind of

like the teacup ride at Disneyland.”

Loh didn’t take home any prizes at the Coastline Car Classic, held

Sunday at Big Corona del Mar State Beach, but to the untrained eye,

his antique automobile was among the most notable in the show.

The Sunday event, held for the second year in a row, marked the

newest major charity event hosted by the Corona del Mar Chamber of

Commerce, which also presents the annual Christmas Walk and Scenic

5K.

The proceeds from the Coastline Car Classic will go to support the

Assessment Treatment Service Center, a Newport Beach nonprofit group

that serves at-risk children and their families.

Lining the parking lot by the beach Sunday were T-birds, woodies,

Mustangs, Rolls-Royces and other classic cars spanning the last

century.

At the end of the show, the 14 judges, who included members of the

chamber and other car enthusiasts, picked 25 winners to receive

plaques. The fire chief, police chief, mayor and other community

leaders gave out trophies afterward for their personal picks.

The best-in-show award, sponsored by the OC Pavilion performing

arts center in Santa Ana, went to Jim Mangione for his sparkling 1940

Packard Darin.

Mangione said he bought the car, created by legendary designer

Dutch Darin, from its former owner just two months ago.

“There were only just a few of them built, and this is one of a

couple left,” Mangione said.

The show also featured a tribute to Sept. 11, with the U.S. Marine

Corps Band from San Diego playing a patriotic medley.

During the awards presentation, sponsor Barry Meguiar, chief

executive officer of the car surfacing company Meguiar’s, praised the

show as a demonstration of American resilience.

“This is exactly what Osama doesn’t want us to do,” he said,

gesturing toward the multicolored lot in front of him. “This is pure

Americana.”