South Tacoma celebrates vintage cars and more at 12th Annual Classic Car Show

Photo Courtesy of south tacoma business district

ART ON WHEELS. More than 300 classic and vintage cars (plus a few motorcycles and pick-up trucks) will be parked along South Tacoma Way.

The intersection of South 54th Street and South Tacoma Way will be the epicenter of activity Aug. 16 for South Tacoma Business District Association’s 12th Annual Classic Car Show. There will be a lot happening there that day, with the focal point being the more than 300 classic and vintage cars that will be parked along South Tacoma Way between South 54th and South 58th streets.

Gloria Egan, manager of South Tacoma Business District Association, which organizes the event, said the show “makes for a good, full day out for the whole family, both adults and kids. We have something for everybody.” The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

While the bulk of the cars on display are from the general Tacoma and Seattle areas, auto aficionados come from all over to participate in the show, from Canada to Oregon to Eastern Washington. The line-up of autos, which also includes a few pick-up trucks and motorcycles, spans the gamut, from sports cars and convertibles to muscle cars and even unfinished cars that are in the midst of being made over into a showpiece.

“Some of them only come out of the garage on a sunny day,” Egan said, “while others are driven every day.”

With its many car dealerships and related businesses, South Tacoma is the auto hub of the city. Coupled with the district’s rich history in transportation stemming from its development around the old Northern Pacific Railroad, and a new Sound Transit station coming soon, having the big car show there “seems like the perfect fit,” according to Egan.

Car Show Chairman Don Brooks owns Exotic Exteriors in the district, a restoration and custom auto body shop. An admirer of fine autos and a builder of many custom cars, he said the cars that will be on display date back to the early 1900s and up to about 1976. He noted that one of his favorites is a 12-cylinder 1913 Locomoto, complete with wooden wheels. “It’s just beautiful,” he said. Returning favorites include a 1940 Ford pick-up, a 1950 Mercury and 1953 Cadillac. Some will be presented by individual owners, while others represent various car clubs in the area. All of them are stunning to see and dazzling in the sunlight with their sparkling chrome and smooth, flawless paint.

“It’s very cool to look at all these cars,” Egan noted. “If you’re of a certain age, it can really bring back a lot of memories.”

More than 30 awards, plaques and trophies will be given out to those who show the most impressive autos. The categories range among just about everything that can be found on a car, such as “best paint job,” “best upholstery,” “best flames” and “best engine.” Top-prize trophies will be given to four top winners: Show Favorite, People’s Choice, 29th Legislative District Choice, and Ladies Choice. Pick up a ballot from the registration table at South 54th Street and South Tacoma Way. The ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m.

With the theme for the day being that of 1950-60 Americana, most of the entertainment line-up will reflect this. At South 54th Street a DJ will be spinning music from the ‘50s and ‘60s throughout the day. Classic rock and country band D. Waco will be performing in front of the Friendly Duck Restaurant starting at about 11 a.m., and a beer garden will also be in full swing there. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. radio station KZOK 102.5 FM will be broadcasting live from the show.

At 2 p.m., students of Jo Emery Ballet School, which moved to South Tacoma about 18 months ago, will assemble in the intersection of South 54th Street and South Tacoma Way to perform a few jazz and ballroom dance numbers. Emery choreographed the jazz segment, which will feature dancers in an original take on the song “Hand Jive” from the movie “Grease.” Its featured couple, Tim Ross and Anna Herron, will arrive on a Harley.

Instructor Jean Milano choreographed the ballroom performance, which will showcase swing and jive dancing in a 1950s style by four couples. This will be the school’s first participation in the car show. “I thought it would be a good fit with all the wonderful classic cars,” Emery said.

Activities for both children and adults will include a hula-hoop contest and a radiator belt toss. Visitation Church (3314 S. 58th St.) will be holding its annual “Big Summer Fun Days” event that has lots of things for the little ones to do, and the car show will have numerous vendors selling automotive-related goods and other items. Then there is the food court, and neighborhood restaurants will feature specials all day.

For additional information, visit http://www.tacomabusinessdistricts.com.

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