Kustoms for a Kause
Photos/Story: Blacktop Staph, err Staff.
For a couple of month’s there has been talk about a new show nestled along side a castle in the foothills around Riverside, California.
I have lived in Southern California for most of my life, and bet I’ve seen every episode of California’s Gold but I have never, heard of a castle in Riverside. The Benedict Castle Concours is promoted by Nicole and Donavan Northcote and is the second Crossroads Car Show event. Life-long car-girl Nicole (daughter of famed Car Guy; Barry Meguiar) is passionate about the show that supports Southern California Teen Challenge. The guys in the Mercifuls Car Club (my club) decided to back the show whole-heartedly. We had Don Chambers’ custom 55 Nomad, President Gordon McIlonie’s ’58 Cadillac, Jack Petitt’s ’57 Pontiac, Bill’s ’58 Fairlane, Gary’s ’63 Impala, JR’s ’51 Oldsmobile and I brought the ’56 Fairlane along with my matching ’62 Schwinn. Andy Heintzelman from the Sultans rolled his Custom Ford F-100 in the early morning caravan to the show.
As the sun rose over Box Springs Mountain we positioned our cars for the day ahead. And what a day it was. The show was nothing like we have been to in quite a while. What a variety of cars. The cars were parked in marked areas around the Teen Challenge campus on sloped grass lots. A beautiful setting. Next to us was a contingent of early Japanese cars, on the top lot were a variety of Deloreans and a brand new McLaren P1. I mean really new. Apparently the guy bought it at 4:30am that morning to bring it to the show with 6 other cars. Not sure if the Ferrari Enzo next to it was his as well. Bob Egge brought out their Metz, which added another layer to the variety.
It was a great day on the grass and grounds for the show. At times the bands would stop, and the MC Dave McClelland was quite for a moment as they were filming an episode of Meguiars Car Crazy. The show was a tribute to George Barris and the Munster Koach was on view front and center. Of course he brought out the Barris Girls KC Classic and Daisie Fairlane. Hot Rod Trio opened the show with a rockin set. The event raised over $49,000 for Teen Challenge! Our club walked away with two awards. Jared took First in class and Don grabbed third place. Andy (The Lone Sultan) took home second in class for his custom ’55 Ford Truck. Our friends at the 401k Club Hot Rod Shop picked up the coveted Barris Kustom award for the Martino Merc.
We look forward to the next Crossroads Car Show. Hope to see you there.
