OUR ANNUAL SHELBY CAR SHOW - We have mean machines, we keep our motors clean, these are the best damn cars that you’ll ever see! Every year, our automobile club sponsors the SOCAL SHELBY AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE CLUB ANNUAL SHELBY/FORD CAR SHOW with proceeds benefiting The Warrior Foundation Freedom Station in San Diego which is dedicated to be the leading force in assisting, honoring and supporting the military men and women who have so bravely sacrificed of themselves for our country. Attendance at the show is growing every year, with the last few years at the Grape Day in Escondido California. The show emphasizes all Shelby related automobiles; originals and replicas, but we are open to all years of non-Shelby Fords and any Shelby influenced car. Every year we display everything from original classics to the latest and greatest in the world of Shelby. All trophies by popular vote and we have plenty of food trucks and vendors, plus our rockin’ and rollin’ DJ and his music.
MOTOR TRANSPORT MUSEUM - The Museum provides a place for preservation, restoration and display of antique trucks and related equipment, photos, literature, memorabilia, artifacts and other pertinent information relating to trucks and the trucking industry. Mack, International, Autocar, White, Federal, Nash and even Linn are a few of the names you'll find on the vehicles found there, plus there's an eclectic collection of industrial equipment. Some have plans for restoration, some do not. Some are available for others to restore.
BARONA DRAGSTRIP - Our club visits the local 1/8th mile long drag strip every year where some come to race and others come for the spectacle. Our traditional all you can eat club lunch buffet of hambergers and hot dogs with all the side goodies is always served. The Barona Speedway is located in Lakeside, CA; northeast of San Diego. Barona Drag Strip or "Barona Drags" as they call it, takes you back to the days when hot rods ruled the streets of SoCal. It's laid back, family friendly and good fun. We see (and HEAR!) all kinds cars and motorcycles on their runs down the 1/8 mile strip - everything from mini dragsters, to fully blown customs, to modified and factory stock.
LYNN PARK'S GARAGE - About 20 club members and a few friends all convened at Lynn Park's private collection in LaCañada/Fleetridge, CA. Mr. Park was full of exciting stories about each Cobra. With about 25 vehicles in his double garages, 20 were original or historical Cobras, estimated value is in the $15+ million dollar range. After our visit, we drove east on CA-2 through the Angeles National Forest, stopping for lunch at the very popular Newcomb Ranch Restaurant, then on to Wrightwood before picking up I-215 for the ride home. What a memorable day.
Several club members participate in an Open Track event sponsored by the Cobra Owners Club of America that is orchestrated by Lynn Parks of the Orange County Chapter. It involves about 50-75 cars at the Willow Springs International Raceway out in the Mojave Desert. For a reasonable price and subject to a safety/tech check, any Ford powered performance car may participate - there are multiple class designations based on experience and ability. This event is typically held every Mother's Day and the 3rd weekend in October.
Several club members participate in the Targa California event sponsored by the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) that is orchestrated by Dave Bouzaglou. It is typically limited to about 100 cars. Most cars are vintage Porsches, but there are always a wide mix of other vintage makes and models. The route changes every year and the details remain unknown until the just beforehand, but the advance information includes the event hotels and general plan. A typical route might start in Thousand Oaks, CA then go north through the Padres National Forest and include laps at Laguna Seca, Willowsprings, and/or Buttonwillow Raceways, many mountain twisties and sweepers, the redwood forest, the coastal mountains, hwy 101 and spectcular views everywhere. This is usually a three day cruise and some arrive a day early and stay and extra day after.
SoCalSAAC members take a great annual cruise to experience San Diego's own wine country with winery visitations in the Temecula/Murrieta area. This event is led by club members Curt Sorweid and Jim Herney. The event always has a big turnout and is so well received that it was an instant hit from the very start!