One of the year's most prestigious model car shows goes down in Ontario, California, each year during the first week of July. The SoCal Classic brings out the most talented model builders from all over the Southland, builders who bring in some of the most detailed plastic masterpieces ever. This year, the SoCal Classic had more than 400 models. If the model companies were to visit one of these shows, we're sure that they would be proud to see the effort and pride put into their products.
The show started with the judges and vendors setting up. The contestants prepped, cleaned and posed their models for the crowd's approval and that special photo that might end up in Lowrider Bicycle Magazine. Every model laid on the table was an immaculate piece of work. Model after model appeared, each with it own special touches. Again the bombs and traditionals came out in force to represent the Lowrider category. Mike Flynn displayed his '67 Chevy Impala, dismantled for all to see along with a set of his new 5.20 whitewall tire replicas.
We also saw the same dedication, craftsmanship and hard work in the dragsters, customs, futuristic rides and all of the other categories. It just goes to show that modelers everywhere all share a mutual interest and passion for this creative hobby. If you looked at all of the models, you wouldn't see the same thing, even if they started out as the same kit.
The big winners were as follows: For Best of Show, Jay Holt and his '87 Chevy Monte Carlo Luxury Sport took the honors. Jay also took Best Detail and the Lowrider "C" category with the same car, and walked away with Best Paint for his Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle. The Best Interior went to Angel Soler with his '51 Chevy Fleetline and, out of 14 entries in the Lowrider "A" category, he took the First Place with his '38 Chevy. The Lowrider "B" category also had 14 entries, but Henry "Mad Bomber" Espinoza nailed First with his three wheelin' '65 Chevy Impala. Everyone who's into model cars had a fun day, and we expect more of the same at next year's "Classic" event.