Cruising with the classics

Jags, woodies, T-birds and Mustangs will be among the vehicles competing in Rotary Club’s automotive beauty contest.Some of the world’s most beautifully designed vehicles will be on display Sunday in Laguna Beach.

The Rotary Club will showcase 160 vehicles in 24 categories at the second annual Classic Car Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Festival of Arts grounds and the city’s employee parking lot on Laguna Canyon Road.

The spectrum of vehicles in the show reflects the international role of the Rotary Club.

“We have clubs in almost every country in the world,” event chairman Harry Bithell said. “Members are obligated to attend 70 percent of the weekly meetings, wherever they are.”

The car show idea arose several years ago after a downtown bicycle race sponsored by the club was discontinued.

“Andy Turner and I started talking about doing the event after the bicycle race downtown was not well received,” Bithell said. “We wanted to present an event that represents Laguna.”

Car shows fall into specific categories, from industry expos to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which sets the bar for the elegant display of pampered vintage vehicles.

“Our show is an invitational, just a level below a concours, so we can include a wider variety of vehicles, such as street rods,” Bithell said.

Awards will be presented in 24 categories, including antiques, meaning vehicles manufactured through 1931; American and European models from 1931 to 1972, excluding the World War II years when passenger vehicles were not produced; foreign sports cars through 1974; Corvettes and Mustangs through 1972; Ferraris through 1979; Jaguars through 1974; Porsches through 1969 and Thunderbirds through 1965. Other categories include woodies, custom cars, hot rods, muscle cars, trucks and vans, and people’s choice.

With the exception of the people’s choice, winning entries will be selected by a cadre of 16 experienced judges, two per category.

Most of the vehicles entered are locally owned, with a couple entered from the San Fernando Valley and one from San Diego County.

“It’s a rain-or-shine show,” Bithell said. “It did rain last year, but the weatherman says we will have sunshine on Sunday.”

The event will include refreshments and music.