Cruising the peninsula

Paul Clinton

Car buffs cruised their multicolored autos into downtown Balboa on

Saturday for California Kruisin’ Days.

The Chrysler-oriented car show drew more than 200 PT Cruisers,

Prowlers, Vipers and concept vehicles to the peninsula’s Balboa Village.

Owners of the multicolored cars showed off their auto stylings --

beaming, iridescent bodies, hand-painted details and customized

upholstery.

The cars draw a steady stream of onlookers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, the first of two days of the event. Organizers expect about

10,000 for the length of the show.

Local icon Art Gronsky is slated to be honored at 2 p.m. today.

Gronsky’s family has owned the Balboa Pavilion since 1947. He played an

important role in developing the recreational fishing industry,

spearheaded the Newport Beach Nautical Museum and fought to preserve

historical aspects of Balboa.

“He’s just one of the nicest, most down-to-earth citizens,” event

spokeswoman Peggy Fort said.

Gronsky is set to receive the 2001 Historic Balboa Award. Last year’s

recipient was Theodore Robins, a Costa Mesa car dealer who owned a

dealership in Balboa at one time.

The event is being put on by the Balboa Merchant and Owners

Association.