Late Great Chevy Convention

The coastal town of Ventura, CA, home of one of the original California missions, lies 60 miles north of L.A. Ventura is a pleasant place, more the southern end of California's central coast than the northern end of the San Diego-Los Angeles metro area. A beautiful place for the 1999 International Convention for 1955-1972 Chevys. Although the Convention didn't officially begin until Sunday, August 15th, the hotel began filling up early on Saturday.

The Ventura Beach Hotel, host hotel for the convention, was about two blocks from the beach and just across the street from a state park. This site with a wide sandy beach, large grassy area with trees and a huge paved lot held the 1,000 point Show N' Shine and the 100 point Governor's Class Shows.

Chevy enthusiasts from all across the U.S and other parts of the world, attended, including the Old World Chapter of Late Great Chevys from Germany. A total of 270 cars and 800 participants descended for this four day event.

The first event of the day, a drive of about 5 miles, found participants at the Leeward Winery. Tours and samples were provided to a sizable crowd. From there the parade headed over to the brand new Paradise Chevy dealership for their grand opening and where the cars were displayed on their lot. While the sales staff looked over the cars and chose their favorites for a special award, the participants headed for the display room to look at the new Corvette and Impala.

"American Graffiti" actor, Paul LeMat, who played the character of Johnny Milner, was there signing autographs. Karl Kelsen gave a seminar about Australian Chevys, Danchuck's Steve Brown gave a great seminar on reproduction parts and Bob Barnes had a room full of people at his seminar on chrome and powder coating.

Kirk Harris, with his one-of-a-kind '55 El Camino, looking like it just rolled off the showroom floor received lots of attention! Picnic's, dancing, a beach side bonfire, hula hoop contest, "Hurricane Bob's Y-Tunes," out of Youngstown, OH and a Marilyn Monroe look-a-like entertained the crowd.

Judges did a super job checking detail of all the cars in the Show N' Shine area. There were even Junior Judges, ranging in age from 7-15. Using a specially designed judging sheet and cars volunteered by owners for this educational opportunity, they did a terrific job. Model Car contest, swap meet and even a sand castle building contest, won by Chris Ellis of Riverside, CA gave everyone, from "big kids" to little, plenty to do. MADD was the charity chosen to receive a $3,000 check.

The convention was fortunate to have no less than 8 cars in the Trailored Restored Original '57 Chevy Class, one of the best fields ever of these cars. Two sets of judges were named for this class. Each registrant received a People's Choice ballot for cars on display in both Show N' Shine and Governor's Class as well as Best of Show in the Late Great, BowTie and Yesteryear's Chevy categories.

Stephen and Lupita Halluska of San Diego took the YesterYear's Overall Peoples Choice trophy for their beautiful 1966 Sport Coupe; Bill Katzman received the Clare MacKichon Memorial award for his '67 Impala SS 427 Sport Coupe; some of the winners of the Gold Certificates attaining points over 950 in the Show N' Shine were: John Solomon's '57 Highland Green convertible, Don Swanson's '64 red ElCamino and Stephen Halluska for his blue '66 Impala SS 427 Sport Coupe. Many folks came away with smiles on their faces and trophy's in hand.

Everyone ate well (Danchuck sponsored a barbecue picnic on the beach), rock n' rolled the night away at a great 50's/60's dance hosted and organized by Jerry Mull, schmoozed and traded addresses. As was said at the welcome meeting, "the sheet metal brings everyone together but it's the people who make the convention."

Next years convention will be held in Tulsa, OK July 2-5. What a great way to spend the 4th!

For more information see http://www.ao.net/CHEVY55-72/ or call 1-800-683-1961. You can also e-mail CHEVY55-72@ao.net Be sure to tell them My Classic Car sent you!