The Los Padrinos Car Club of San Juan Bautista held its 8th annual car show in downtown San Juan Bautista on Saturday, June 27.
A registered nonprofit, Los Padrinos was established in 2008. Its nine members include residents from San Juan Bautista, Hollister and Gilroy.
The yearly event is the club’s primary fundraiser, allowing it to focus on charitable donations to local organizations and individuals. One of this year’s beneficiaries is the San Juan Bautista Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 6359.
Several area businesses made donations for this year’s car show, including Sandy’s Cafe and 152 Burger Co. of Gilroy, and Mom and Pop’s Saloon, Dona Esther Mexican Restaurant, and Daisy’s Saloon of San Juan Bautista.
The event drew a smaller than expected number of entries, the result of two other car shows in the area, according to club president, Ralph Duarte. Despite the low turnout of participants, the public still came out and supported the family-friendly event, admiring classic and custom cars, trucks, and bicycles of all types, listening to live-entertainment, and enjoying the ambiance of the mission town.
Those who showcased their vehicles competed for trophies and plaques in eleven categories, ranging from custom to under construction. Two Hollister residents walked away with an award apiece. Harvey (Javier) Huaracha earned a first place in the custom division for his glaser blue ’67 Chevy Nova, and Bob Picha earned a second place in the classic division for his red and white ’59 Chevy Corvette.
When asked how he gained possession of his car, Picha explained that he saw it for sale in a Tucson, AZ newspaper in 1971. He hurried to the bank and secured an $800 loan and purchased it. “After about 20 years, I finally got around to fixing it up,” Picha said jokingly. A retired tile-setter, Picha bartered with friends in the automotive and car restoration business in order to get that classic look. His son Rudy took a latent interest in the process, helping his father fulfill that vision of over 40 years.
Ernie Ruby of San Jose entered his white with saddle brown ’63 Super Sport (SS) Impala for the third time. Describing it as “old school lowered,” he’s owned the vehicle for over 30 years. He and his brother, another participant in this year’s event, travel the state’s car show circuit. The San Juan event ranks among his favorites. The town’s quaintness and its people, in his opinion, are hard to compete with.
And even though Ruby walked away without any hardware, he’s sure to be back next year.
For more information about Los Padrinos or how to join, contact club president, Ralph Duarte, at (408) 413-8373.