Crowds fill Solvang for car show
The roar of supercharged V-8 exhaust notes echoed throughout
Solvang on Aug. 23 from some of the 260 classic, antique, and custom cars that
lined the streets of the valley’s center of Danish culture. The Wheels ’n
Windmills Car Show attracted thousands of car buffs for the 4th annual event
that filled Copenhagen Drive, First Street, and Second Street with brightly
painted Chevys, Fords, Chryslers, and many other hot rods, some one-of-a-kind.
Event organizer Bob Stokes of Buellton provided a tour of the
event and introductions to many of the owners of these restored pieces of
American automobile culture. Stokes explained that the event moved to Solvang
after a 6-year run on Avenue of Flags in Buellton.
A pet project of late city councilman Bill Traylor was the
motivation for moving the event to Solvang, said Stokes. “When he changed the
second grass area on the Avenue to a pedestrian zone we lost the ability to
have the event there,” said Stokes.
Enthusiasts from all over California drove or trucked their
projects to Solvang for the one-day event. Certainly the oldest vehicle at the
event was an 1890 Doctors Surrey owed by Paul and Jill Dubois of Los Osos. The
wooden body vehicle is powered by a “modern” 1926 Jaeger 3 ½ horsepower
single cylinder engine that speeds the open vehicle at a bit faster than a fast
walk. Dubois was formerly an Indy car engine builder with Cosworth.
Just a few feet away was the custom 1953 Corvette owned by Bobbie
Bruhn. The fiberglass beauty is powered by a supercharged LS-1 Corvette engine
that reportedly puts 550 horsepower to the rear wheels. The custom ’Vette has
little in common with its original design, as the body was stretched and
widened to accommodate the modern engine and running gear.
Many parts on the custom car were handmade by Bruhn. Although the
values of custom cars are in the eye of the potential purchaser, Bruhn’s last
custom car sold for more than $250,000.
Promoters pointed out that the event helps the community. In the
past, more than $25,000 has been raised in support of local charities, such as
the Solvang Friendship House, the Solvang Senior Center, and the Sunny Fields
Park.
This year all
event proceeds will be donated to the Solvang Elementary School Educational
Programs.