VW enthusiasts abound

Christine Carrillo

With an element of nostalgia in the air, Volkswagen enthusiasts

flocked to the Orange County Fairgrounds Sunday to admire the more

than 200 classic and custom vehicles competing for awards in 40

different classes.

The 17th annual California Volkswagen Jamboree hosted by

Inter-Shows Motorsports Promotions Inc. gave Southern California

families an opportunity to join in the “Back to the Beach” themed

event by sharing in the Volkswagen history and transformation of

Beetles, Busses, Things, Karmen Ghias and Jettas.

But just admiring the vintage, classic, off-road, custom, late and

new model Volkswagens wasn’t the extent of the jamboree.

With a “Used Parts Swap Meet” area, a “Cars For Sale” area,

various displays, food, music and a bikini competition that lured

groups of men to the stage, the event provided a gamut of activity

for participants and spectators alike.

“We just try to think of different ideas that we could do to make

[each event] more fun and interesting,” said Michelle Mullins, event

coordinator.

One of the more unique events was the engine blow.

After draining an engine of all its oil, crowds waited in

anticipation to see just how long it would take before it blew. After

four minutes and 36 seconds, it finally did.

By incorporating different events, like the engine blow, Al

Martinez, president of Inter-Shows Motorsports has tried to expand

the activity of each car show he puts on. But none of the shows has

more nostalgia for him than the VW Jamboree -- the event that started

out his car show career.

“I wanted to do something that’s wild and crazy,” he said. “I’d

always go to shows and feel like I got ripped off, so I wanted to

give them more.”

Although the turn out for the Volkswagen show has begun to dwindle

over the years, something Martinez attributes to the increased

interest in import vehicles, people continue to the attend the

Volkswagen show for different reasons.

Having never really had a particular love of Beetles, John Vazquez

of West Los Angeles has participated in the VW show for the last

three years and has managed to take home first place in the Beetle

category every year.

But he admits that winning isn’t the only thing that draws him to

the shows.

“They’re fun,” he said. “The atmosphere is more of a family

atmosphere.”

And that’s precisely the atmosphere Martinez aimed to provide.

Adhering to his goal of creating a family-oriented car show by

having all three of his children, including Mullins, his wife and his

73-year-old mother participating in the event, Martinez prides

himself creating such an environment. And others enjoy it too.

“It’s fun because we can bring the kids, hang out and enjoy the

weather,” said Newport Beach resident Dorys Collins, who, along with

her husband Alan Collins, entered a 1957 custom Bug. “And it’s a nice

class of people.”

A class of people that feel a sense of nostalgia for Volkswagens.

“I like their history,” said Alan, whose first car was VW Bug. “I

grew up around them.”

* CHRISTINE CARRILLO is the news assistant. She may be reached at

(949) 574-4298 or by e-mail at christine.carrillo@latimes.com.