Thousands of spectators are expected to attend today’s 9th annual Coastline Car Classic at Big Corona State Beach, where 117 cars are on display until about 4 p.m.
For the first time this year, a 1933 Duesenberg was exhibited, along with dozens of other classic cars, muscle cars and military vehicles. The Duesenberg once was owned by Hopalong Cassidy, said Tony Rackley, who takes care of the car for the owner.
For many of the spectators, the show was a walk down memory lane.
“This is a car I used to own!” Gail Ryan of Newport Beach said as she gazed at a 1967 Corvette Stingray. “I had one when I was in my 20s, and it was the fastest car I’d ever driven.”
Ryan said she sold it and then bought a Porsche — a decision she regretted.
“It would be worth $60-120,000 today,” she said. “I’m kind of nostalgic seeing this.”
Corona del Mar resident Chris Yould said he enjoyed looking at a Ford Skyliner with a retractable top.
“It reminds me of my childhood,” he said. “We always had a Ford.”
Michael Harrah, a well known car collector, attended the show.
“The setting is fantastic, by the ocean,” he said. “It’s certainly not the biggest show, but it’s the most classic.”
Harrah, whose Batmobile car was at the show’s entrance, said his favorite was a rare Rolls Royce.
“It’s a beautiful car,” he said.
Judges were inspecting the cars, talking quietly amongst themselves, as live music played in the background. Visitors, including Mayor Pro Tem Keith Curry and his wife, Pam Curry, slowly studied all the classes of cars, while the mayor, police chief and fire chief were expected to each pick a favorite for the awards ceremony scheduled for this afternoon.
The show, which also is a fundraiser that benefits the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, will end at 4 p.m.
