The Outriders Car Club recently held their 32nd Picnic at Oak Canyon Park in Irvine, CA.  The 2011 event once again featured some of the best examples of automotive excellence that can be found anywhere.

The Outriders is one of the oldest car clubs still existing today.  Since 1932 this relatively small band of enthusiasts has been a part of the foundation that the hot rodding scene is built on.  Their membership is very limited so being asked to join is something very special.  But limited membership doesn’t mean limited influence, popularity or fun!

To keep the event experience like this rather than like being on the I-405 at rush hour, entries and access passes are limited.

Old Flatheads will never die...and they are a far cry from fading away!

Representatives from the ever popular and beautiful Chevy contingent.

The Outriders picnic is an annual gathering of people to celebrate each other and their favorite vehicles.

Roadsters and rag tops are awesome! They remind you why a dog sticks his head out the window of a moving car.

In the history of hot rodding, or for that matter any facet of automotive related culture, there is probably no entity that has contributed more to its growth than the car club.  These groups of enthusiastic people have fostered atmospheres that helped provide friendship, fellowship, belonging, purpose, education, innovation, recreation, and competitive spirit that lie at the center of the hot rodding community.

Getting a ticket for this yearly event is difficult too.  But if the club didn’t keep a tight rein on admission, this gathering of friends and friends of friends could morph from a cherished yearly tradition to just another Southern California mob scene in no time at all!

This is also a way of saying that your humble scribe was not among the lucky few to attend this year’s gathering. Thanks to Doug Dwyer, his trusty camera and photographic skills, we are able to appreciate the sights and the vibe of this year’s event.

Later model Fords are becoming more popular. Some of the models that were ignored in the past are becoming favorites.

Modern cars don't have the personality or style that these classics from the 50's do. But that doesn't mean you can't upgrade comfort, performance and reliability if you want to!

But some are a little hotter than the others.

No matter what angle you view it from, there is no mistaking the hot rod.