American culture oozes with a fascination for the automobile that dates back over a hundred years, and depending on whose list of car clubs you’re using today, there are over 300 car clubs in Southern California…alone.

Most car club memberships are typically diversified and organized along lines of common interests such as manufacturers; e.g., Ford or Chevrolet, models; e.g., Mustang or Corvette, and practical experience; e.g., engine building, welding, painting, or activities such as low-rider cruising, racing, and fellowship. It’s not unusual to find clubs organized as non-profits, often with paid sponsorships, run by elected volunteers and charging membership fees in exchange for a variety of membership benefits such as regular meetings, community service projects, car show events, sharing DIY tools and fabrication information. Many auto enthusiasts join and stay involved just for the feelings of camaraderie-the coolness of just plain hanging out together and being part of the family.

Club identity is important too. Clubs usually have logos, jackets, shirts, hats and a “drag plate” to identify their members and their cars. And today, many clubs such as Cal-Rods San Gabriel Valley, have included an on-line web presence ( www.cal-rods.org ) as well, to communicate with members and promote the club’s activities and news through the use of forums, photo galleries, tech articles, registrations, donations, the club store and so forth.

Originally formed sixty years ago this year, Cal-Rods’ membership now spans three generations. Many of the most senior club members today were part of the original members, which consisted of boys and girls (the Cal-Rodettes) at Baldwin Park High School in the San Gabriel Valley, in 1954. The Cal-Rods’ history is recounted by Vic Cunnyngham, himself a founding father, on the homepage of the website and it’s a tribute to the importance the membership places on honoring and preserving that legacy. Spanning three generations of membership with relevant and interesting activities is a difficult job at best, but the Club has built an enviable reputation for itself by hosting and sponsoring many exciting and relevant annual events for members and guests; and affiliating itself with prestigious individuals and organizations such as the NHRA.

At a recent car show at the Dana Point Harbor-Festival of Whales, hundreds of visitors had the opportunity to see the members wonderful street rods, hot rods and classic cars and ask questions, reminisce about the cars they own or had owned; posing and taking photos with the cars. A member cruise to the Mullin Automotive Museum, in Oxnard, took members to see the rare and beautiful French automobiles of the 1920’s and 30’s, the Art Deco and machine age eras. They marveled at the Bugatti, Voisin, Delahaye, Hispano-Suizas, and Talbot-Lago’s, which according to Peter Mullin, represent “the pinnacle of 20th Century art and design”. Hand built French curve coachwork certainly inspired generations of hot rod builders. And on May 18, 2014, the Cal Rods will co-sponsor the 8th Annual “Run With a Winner” Car Show event with Santa Anita Park, in Arcadia, CA. With as many as 600 cars from many different clubs participating, dozens of awards will be given out, as well as prizes and swag. Together with the horse racing venue and all its festivities, this event promises to be a tremendously entertaining day of activities. See flyer.

The club is fortunate enough to hold its meeting on the first Tuesday of each month at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, CA and usually feature a guest speaker, sharing stories, tech tips and such. Can anyone think of a better venue for a car club to call their “clubhouse”.  The Cal-Rods also supply the work force for the Twilight Cruise, held the first Wednesday of the month (April – December) at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.  It’s said to be the largest weekday cruise in the country, drawing an average of 400 cars and includes a huge 50/50 and raffle.

Altogether, the success of Cal-Rods and its existence over six decades, is a larger tribute to the generations of automotive enthusiasts, hot rod builders, racers and club members, who have helped to embed the jargon and notions of hot rodding for three generations in our popular way of life. It is certainly evolutionary.

Visit with Cal Rods – San Gabriel Valley at the April 13, 2014 Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show, where they will be our Featured Car Club. They’re always a pleasure to talk with, a wealth of knowledge, and their incredible display of club vehicles can be jaw-dropping and inspiring.

-Joe Ammirato (Cal Rods SGV) and Matt Zarzana