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On the Town: Glendale Elks apply a classic sparkle to fundraising

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Classic cars glistened like jewels in the sunshine during the 23rd annual Glendale Elks Charity Car Show on Sunday.

The great weather was a welcome relief after the rain. The day dawned with Elks staff cooking up a breakfast for about 260 people inside the lodge.

The cost was $10 for a plate stacked with chicken-fried steak, eggs, toast, waffles, pancakes and omelets.

Outside, in the parking lot, were 110 automobiles in 16 categories on display. The years spanned from a 1914 Ford Model “T” owned by Ernie Seth to a 2014 Chevrolet Corvette shown by Sheldon Epstein. Both are Glendale residents.

George McCullough chaired the event for the 15th year, but said he couldn’t do it without the help of the Gallivanters, the Elks’ recreational vehicle enthusiasts led by “Wagon Master” Albert Vickers. They grilled roughly 220 hamburgers during lunchtime and offered side dishes of potato salad and coleslaw.

They also got more than 150 raffle prizes and donation baskets.

In total, 30 Gallivanters and 30 Elks volunteered their time. Assisting during the breakfast were Emblem Club #104 members led by Rosario James, the group’s president.

Car show proceeds go to programs for youth, seniors and the homeless.

The Elks provide 3,000 dictionaries each year to all third-graders in public, private and parochial schools in Glendale, Montrose and La Crescenta. The Elks also give $50,000 in scholarships annually to high school graduating seniors.

Additionally, the lodge sponsors Boy Scout Troop #118 as well as two Little League teams and one T-ball team. At Christmas, the lodge donates toys and food to more than 60 needy families and throws a holiday party for students at College View School for the disabled.

Glendale Elks member Craig Stewart of San Gabriel received Best of Show/People’s Choice for his 1961 Plymouth Fury.

The body style was limited to one year, Stewart said. It was designed to get rid of Chrysler’s rear fins.

“It was almost Jetson-like,” Stewart said, referring to the futuristic cartoon show “The Jetsons.”

“It was way ahead of its time, and it wasn’t a very popular car at the time. So when they were in a wreck or broke down, people didn’t fix them. Consequently, there are very few around,” he added.

Other features Stewart pointed out were the liquid speedometer and the back rest on the driver’s seat, which is taller than the passenger’s, and provides more comfort for the rider behind the wheel.

The car has had only three owners. The original owner lived in Iowa, but never drove it in the winter, so there is no rust.

The second owner restored the seats and exterior paint. It took him two years to apply the 46 pieces of polished stainless steel trim and 20-some pieces of chrome.

Stewart bought the car five years ago and has been doing suspension and mechanical work — his specialties.

“It’s gorgeous. Outstanding,” McCullough said. “It was clearly the winner.”

First-place winners in some of the more popular of the 16 classes were Early Modified — a 1940 Ford Coupe, owned by Bill Murphy; Early Stock — a 1953 Buick Special, owned by Patricia Gay; Late Stock — a 1984 Chevy Impala, owned by Leif Amussen; and Sports Car — 1959 Porsche Speedster, owned by Bruce Williams.

The car show is always on the third Sunday in March. Next year, it will be held on St. Patrick’s Day, so that will be the theme, McCullough said.

JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.

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