Cruisers have a roaring good time at 17th annual show

On Sunday crowds of locals flocked to Booster Park for the 17th annual Orange County Cruisers car show. The air was charged with the growls of the engines as the participants brought their cars in to place and got situated. By about 11 a.m. most of the cars had come in and the number of vehicles easily exceeded 100.
With a horde of onlookers walking up and down the aisles taking in each car, the owners, standing by their machines, joyfully jumped at the opportunity to explain their cars to those interested in finding out more. In between curious admirers, the car owners swapped ideas and stories among each other.
Among the many amazing cars present, some of them stood out above the others.
One of these cars was Mike Shepperd's 1960 Corvette, painted a smooth turquoise color and with a sign in front stating how rare it is to have that Corvette in that particular color. Less than 1,000 were produced. When asked why he got into car restoration and car showing he quickly answered, "I grew up watching Route 66, and this car is from that era. I loved that time." For him it's simply a way to keep in touch with the times he grew up in, being able to show off a nice car is merely an added bonus. His car went on to win the title of "Best Original."
Jerry Shelton, another gentleman with a particularly noteworthy vehicle, had a 1941 Willy's Coupe on display. Although his car was built from the ground up; someone else did the work and the car was purchased pre-assembled.
"I'm too old to put four or five years into a car before I can drive it," he said, "I want instant gratification; to be able to turn the key and go." Asked why he participates in shows, he replied that more than anything it was the opportunity to see and talk to old friends, some of which he only sees at shows. Although socializing was his goal, undoubtedly, winning "Best in Show" didn't bother him too much.
While the competitors were surely the soul of the event, the Cruisers are the ones who do the behind-the-scenes work to host it. Once approached, the men at the head of the operation (founding member Julian Bennett, current president Walt Barfield, and VP Bill Conrad) gladly divulged their secrets. Founded in 1992 when the car shows Mr. Bennett held at his home became too large to accommodate, the club is in its 17th year of operation and boasts a membership of about 27 families. Aside from their yearly show, the Cruisers also host a number of smaller "cruise-ins" on the third Saturday of every month, with the majority of their proceeds going to local groups, charities, and the needy.