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The Crystal Park Casino Hotel was the site of this year's big show. Located near the intersection of the 91 and 710 Freeways, this venue proved to be popular with enthusiasts. Several hundred Cadillac fans visited the show over the course of the day making it one of the best attended in recent years. Half of those visitors were non-regional members who learned of the event from increased advanced publicity. This year a special edition of the C&W was sent to non-regional CLC members living in the geographical confines of the SoCal boundaries. Although this effort attracted few additional car entries, it did bring in a fair number of spectators. The show was also advertised in "Cars & Parts", "The LA Times" and "Miss Information". All this resulted in the recruitment of around a dozen new regional members.
To take advantage of the hotel's large cobble stone roundabout with a shady center island, the show was split. Twenty-two cars were placed around the outer rim of the roundabout, and another forty-some cars were parked along an adjacent drive of suitably wide dimensions.
Swap meet vendors were invited to this year's show, and although only a handful set up tables, their wares were especially interesting. Two large literature stands and displays by several old-car businesses attracted plenty of attention. One was a custom chrome shop and another was a wood grainer.
Over 90 percent of the show cars at this year's event were pre-registered. But on-site registrations on the day of show caused a bottleneck. In the future, the board will probably move to limit eligibility for judging and awards to pre-registered vehicles. Day of show entries will be for display only.
This event was a special treat for everyone because of the generosity and gracious hospitality of the Crystal Park's owners, Leo Chu and his wife Ivy. Leo is a real car guy and a long time SoCal member. He really enjoyed walking the show and meeting fellow Cadillac collectors.
The Crystal Park staff was especially attentive to our needs. Catering provided coffee early in the AM and uniformed security guards helped direct traffic and keep an eye on the vintage iron throughout the day. The buffet luncheon in the Hotel's Diamond Room was superb. Over 120 folks attended the luncheon which was followed by an awards ceremony presided over by Director Skip Moore. One of the highlights of the day was a talk by Mr. Chu about his career and experiences as a life-long fine car enthusiast and collector. Leo said his wife always tells people that her husband collects "used cars."
Thanks to the many members who helped out at the show. Gary Falasco, Tony Hiller, John Woodward, Steve Rostam, Danny and Sue Parrino, Paul Cox, Ed Cholakian, Mike Dubos, Joel Shapiero, Julian Cangelosi and Skip Moore are a few of the many volunteers who deserve special kudos.
It was an enjoyable event in every way. Of course it couldn't have happened with out the continued support of the many members who prepared and brought their historic Cadillacs and LaSalles. Thank you one and all, and well done.
Roy A. Schneider
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