For the past few years Valley rodders have been spending the weekend before Labor Day in Solvang for the Wheels ‘N’ Windmills Car Show. This year was no different, they started arriving in the afternoon for the Friday Night Barbecue and open house at the Mendenhall’s Museum in Buellton. If you are interested in old gasoline memorabilia and Dry Lakes Racing Hall of Fame, this museum is a must see.
On the morning of Saturday, Aug. 26, everyone headed to downtown Solvang for the 13th Annual Wheels ‘N’ Windmills Car Show. After checking in and the parking, everyone heads to their favorite Danish restaurant for a great breakfast. When the shops open for business, the women take off for a day of shopping at all the unique shops. There is something of interest for almost everyone. Thousands of spectators gather for this show to see the classic vehicles on display. Late in the afternoon, everyone gathered in the park for the awards ceremony to hear the winners announced. This year’s winners are as follows:
Stock Class Winners:
Antiques to 1931 All Makes – Robert Fredricks, 1930 Ford Model A Pickup Roadster, Porter Ranch
1932–1949 All Makes – Ron Long, 1936 Ford Roadster, Solvang
1950’s All Makes (except 55-57 Chevy) – Thomas Rauch, 1956 Monarch Lucerne, Goleta
1955-57 Chevy – Robert Palmer, 1957 Chevy Nomad Wagon, Cudahy
1960-1967 GM (Excl. Class G) – Jon Stephen, 1967 Chevy Chevelle, Buellton
1968-1980 GM (Excl. Class G) – Dennis Simonson, 1969 Pontiac Custom S Coupe, Clovis
1960-1967 Ford/Mopar/Other (Excl. Class G) – Phillip Beuoy, 1936 Ford Galaxie 500 R Code, Santa Ynez
1968-1980 Ford/Mopar/Other (Excl. Class G) – Rob May, 1969 Mercury Cougar, Lompoc
64-80 Mustang/Camaro/Challenger/Coda/Firebird – Dave Andrews, 1970 Plymouth Cuda, Lompoc
Corvette’s to 1980 – Richard Cheek, 1965 Chevy Corvette, Fullerton
Trucks to 1980 – Domenic & Davana Valentino, 1951 International Metro Truck, Glendora
El Camino, Ranchero to 1980 – Ken & Lida Spencer, 1964 Chevy El Camino, Paso Robles
Sports Car (Foreign/Domestic) to 1980 – Daniel Redmon, 1959 Morgan Plus Four, Lompoc
Modified Class Winners:
T-Bucket/Hot Rod (Open) to 1948 – Jim Parchen, 1932 Ford Roadster, Cambria
Hot Rod (Coupe/Sedan) to 1932 – Ron Poe, 1932 Ford Sedan, Nipomo
Hot Rod Coupe 1933-48 – Rodney Cox, 1935 Chevy Master Coupe, Chatsworth
Hot Rod Sedan 1933-48 – Ruben Martinez, 1934 Ford 2-Door Sedan, Santa Barbara
1949-59 All Makes (Except 55-57 Chevy) – Steve Romero, 1954 Chevy Suburban Carryall, Moorpark
1960-1967 All Makes – Manny Rodriquez, 1962 Chevy Impala SS, Oxnard
1968-1980 All Makes – Rodger Lane, 11973 Dodge Dart Sport 340, Orcutt
1955 Chevy – Todd Frazier, 1955 Chevy Bel Air, La Habra
1956 Chevy – Jess Mendez, 1956 Chevy Bel Air, Simi Valley
Camaro/Challenger/Cuda/Firebird/Mustang to 1980 – Wayne Waldrip, 1967 Chevy Camaro, Cayucos
1955-57 Chevy Nomad – Rosendo Gonzales, 1956 Chevy Nomad, Salinas
Trucks to 1949 – Greg & Kiki Hahs, 1946 Chevy COE Truck, Upland
Trucks 1950-1980, Danny & Missy Trejo, 1952 Chevy Suburban/Carryall, Santa Barbara
El Camino, Ranchero to 1980 – Vito Mineo, 1969 Chevy El Camino, Canyon Country
Sports Car (Foreign/Domestic) to 1980 – Brandon Montano, 1974 Datsun 260Z, Santa Barbara
Special Interest Class Winners:
Pro-Street/Street Legal Race – Jerry & Lorrie Jacobs, 1957 Chevy Bel Air, Orcutt
AC Cobra’s All Years – Ira Aboulafia, 1965 Shelby Cobra, Simi Valley
Woodies – Bill & Gina Stunkard, 1937 Chevy Woodie, Orcutt
Rat Rods – Eric Kieding, 1947 Dodge Truck, Solvang
Race Car – Max Hanberg, 2009 TRM, Solvang
Special Award Winners:
Best of Best – Stock – Ron & Willa Bergland, 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2, Fresno
Best of Best – Modified – Richard Esqueda, 1967 Chevy Chevelle, Goleta
Mayor’s Choice – Robert Fredericks, 1930 Ford Model A Pickup Roadster, Porter Ranch
Gary Horn Memorial Plaque – Greg & Kiki Hahs, 1946 Chevy COE Truck, Upland
Upcoming Events:
September 24: OLPH Car Show, Clovis
September 24: British Car Show, Clovis
September 30: 3rd Annual Classic Fly-In and Classic Car Show, Chandler Executive Airport
If your club or organization is putting on a car show or motorsports event we are always looking for interesting cars, people and events to share. You can reach Paul Hinkle at clovisparkinthepark@gmail.com or call (559) 970-2274 or Eric Hinkle at ehinkle11@gmail.com. Be sure to follow us on Twitter@clovisparknpark and on Instagram@clovisparkinthepark.