Car show highlights last day of Fiesta

DRIVING AWAY

Dozens of pristine cars were parked Sunday on the lawn of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara for the Fiesta Car Show on Sunday.

Featuring a live band, a raffle, vendors, food and drinks, the place was alive as people came to look over the classic cars, shelter from the sun in the main food area, and snap pictures.

The cars ranged from classics like Chevy Impalas and Malibus to more recent models, such as a 2002 Chevy El Camino. Many of the owners were from the Santa Barbara area, though others showed up from Ventura County as part of the Ventura County Classic Car Club.

The Nite Life Car Club had a prominent presence at the show, with President Danny Trejo’s classic1952 Chevy Suburban on full display, with the hood up and the back open.

Mr. Trejo purchased the car in 2003 and has been presenting it since 2004. He got involved in the Nite Life Car Club because of his brother, who has been a member since the club was founded in 1980.

“It’s a family thing. It’s part of my life,” he said, adding that his daughter and son are also presenting their cars.

Adrian Munoz, who joined the club four months ago, loved the “brotherhood” aspect of the Nite Life Car Club.

“They like cars, I like cars,” Mr. Munoz said.

Most of the cars were located on the Boys & Girls Club lawn but several, such as Juan Montero’s 1963 Chevy Impala, were on display outside.

The Santa Barbara native is part of the Los Angeles Car Club. He has been building his car since 2010 and finished it in 2017.

“I’ve always wanted a car since I was 15 and I liked the lowriders,” Mr. Montero added.

Chris Taylor, who owns a 1970 Chevy Malibu, was one of the many people who were not a part of a car club. He lives in Ventura County and takes his car to different shows across the state.

His father bought him the Malibu in 1985 for “$25 and a helmet.” Heis proud of his “Lone Wolf” status, which he attributed to being kicked out of a car club and deciding to never be a part of another one.

He said that he stopped going to car shows for a few years before deciding to come back to shows like the Fiesta Car Show.

“The worst thing you can do to a car is to let it sit and not drive it,” he said.

Mr. Trejo stressed the importance for the Nite Life Car Club to attend local events like the Fiesta Car Show and show their presence.

“It’s important to show up. We have to come to local events. We just have to,” Mr. Trejo said, adding that they make appearances elsewhere such as the State Street Car Show.

“This town’s our community,” he said.

The event was co-sponsored by the High Rollers Car Club. All proceeds go to the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara.