Despite ominous weather predictions, the 28th Annual Wrightwood Classic Car Show entertained hundreds of classic car aficionados with 166 classic, modern, and customized American cars on Saturday, August 19, 2023, in Downtown Wrightwood, with “Best in Show” going to Rodney Stewart and his orange 1931 Ford Sedan. James Mariano won the coveted Mike Ludwig Trophy with his 1935 Ford four-door.

Most will agree that a couple of heads are better than one, especially if attached to a 440 Hemi or a big-block V-8. Two sisters, Heidi Folks and Chelsea Musci, tooled up to restore and rebuild their 1966 Ford Mustang. Siblings and medical professionals now share their gorgeous silver daily driver six months each out of the year. The project has not entirely been without mishaps, as the night before the 28th Annual Wrightwood Classic Car Show, these hometown girls from Wrightwood encountered minor battery problems but were able to get their stunning pony car to the show.

Married couple Randy and Debbie Sighorn share the sanding, polishing, and detail work on their restored 1962 Ford Burgundy Red Thunderbird, lending each other a hand when necessary. Jack Porter coupled up with Mark Eddy of “Eddy’s Rod Shop” in Covina on Jack’s Cherry Red 1955 Stroker 383 Chevy with Overdrive, who both claimed, “Street Rods are forever!” With a couple of miniature Model Ts by his side, Tony Albers was showing off his collection of ½ scale production replicas on Park St. “They are not Go-Carts!” he exclaimed to the curious viewers passing by.

Car stories may come, and some may go, but Jim Martin’s 27-year restoration of his 1950, all-original International Green L-10 Pickup, which he rebuilt in Prescott, could take the cake. Some parts were shipped from Canada to Arizona, where he finished the truck and returned to California. “All of the parts instructions were in French!” Jim said to an amused couple of car buffs. Proud of the 273 Commando V-8, Jim Spriggs courted his wife Michal in his 1967 Plymouth Barracuda in High School during the seventies. When asked how his wife participated in the car restoration, Jim jokingly said, “She cooperated.”

No historical storm was going to put a damper on this showcase of automotive craftsmanship. Keeping temperatures cool, the overcast day was perfect for car viewing, people watching, shopping, and dining “al fresco” in one of the many restaurants enjoying the Classic Car Show’s surprisingly large turnout. There was no shortage of delicacies with the Community Center Plaza surrounded by vendors we know and love, like “That’s A Pretzel!” to “Hot Blayzin Chicken” with their famous “Duck fat fries.” The perfect band for a car show, “Lonnie and the Lugnuts” kept the crowd entertained throughout the day and set the mood for a terrific time in Wrightwood.

The Wrightwood Chamber of Commerce should be rewarded for bringing this combination of food and amusement to us all. Wrightwood Chamber of Commerce Event volunteer Leslie Mihalko said, “We would like to bring something new to the car show each year.” Leslie also wanted to thank the hearty car owners and attendees who braved the weather to come to the Wrightwood Classic Car Show.

The Wrightwood Chamber of Commerce would also like to thank all of the volunteers and vendors, “The Lug Nuts,” the Evergreen Café, and all the sponsors involved with the 28th Annual Wrightwood Classic Car Show. For information on vendors, this, or any events in Wrightwood, visit wrightwoodchamber.org or call (760) 249-4320.

Here are the results of the 28th Annual Wrightwood Classic Car Show.

Best of Show, Rodney Stewart from Apple Valley with his 1931 Ford Sedan

Mike Ludwig Trophy, James Mariano with his 1935 Ford four-door

Class #1 – 1920’s Open, 1st Place Winner, Entry #119 — Ronald & Merry Thy — Hesperia, CA — 1920 Buick Touring

Class #2 – 1930’s Coupe, 1st Place Winner, Entry #163 — Darin Alaimalo — Apple Valley, CA — 1930 Ford Model A

Class #3 – 1930’s Open, 1st Place Winner, Entry #70 — Ron Dumelle — Fontana, CA — 1932 Ford Roadster

Class #4 – 1930’s Sedan, 1st Place Winner, Entry #32 — Mike Ludwig — Wrightwood, CA — Na Na Na

Class #5 – 1940 – 1949, 1st Place Winner, Entry #101 — Wayne Cronan — Upland, CA — 1941 Willys Coupe

Class #6 – 1950 – 1959, 1st Place Winner, Entry #75 — Charles Scolastico — Hesperia, CA — 1957 Ford Thunderbird

Class #7 – 1960 – 1964, 1st Place Winner, Entry #99 — Scott Thorngate — Rancho Cucamonga, CA — 1964 Mercury Comet

Class #8 – 1965 – 1969, 1st Place Winner, Entry #73 — Steve Harrison — Wrightwood, CA — 1966 Ford Bronko

Class #9 – 1970 – 1975, 1st Place Winner, Entry #158 — Jeff Yorke — Riverside, CA — 1970 Plymouth Cuda

Class #10 – Mustangs, 1st Place Winner, Entry #138 — Rob Stewart — Victorville, CA — 1969 Ford Mach 1

Class #11 – Vettes, 1st Place Winner, Entry #16 — Scharon Cole — Riverside, CA — 1970 Corvette Sting Ray

Class #12 – El Caminos / Rancheros, 1st Place Winner, Entry #140 — Richard Hagen — Hesperia, CA — 1969 Chevy El Camino

Class #13 – Cameros, 1st Place Winner, Entry #156 — Chris Ruen — Pinon Hills, CA — 1968 Chevrolet Camero

Class #15 – Chevy Trucks, 1st Place Winner, Entry #96 — Charlie Jimenez — Hesperia, CA — 1955 Chevrolet

Pickup

Class #16 – Ford Trucks, 1st Place Winner, Entry #139 — Danjoe Lascala — Oak Hills, CA — 1970 Ford F100

Class #17 – Trucks / Other, 1st Place Winner, Entry #124 — Kenny Lehman — Wrightwood, CA — 1934 Ford Truck

Class #18 – Tri-Year Chevy’s 55 – 57, 1st Place Winner, Entry #65 — Phil & Eileen Lee — Hesperia, CA — 1955 Chevrolet Belair

Class #19 – Woodies, 1st Place Winner, Entry #13 — Harold Fliegner — Wrightwood, CA — 1947 Mercury Woodie

Class #20 – Station Wagons, Nomads & Deliveries, 1st Place Winner, Entry #149 — Larry Lee (Edsel Owners Club) — Hesperia, CA — 1959 Edsel Villager

Class #21 – Specialty Cars & Trucks, 1st Place Winner, Entry #127 — Tony Albers — Wrightwood, CA — 1910 Na Model T, Replica

Class #22 – Rat Rod, 1st Place Winner, Entry #79 — Levon Arklin — Valyermo, CA — 1952 Ford Truck

Class #23 – Under Construction, 1st Place Winner, Entry #58 — Wade Piper — Hesperia, CA — 1962 Chevrolet K-20