When Donut Derelicts comes to mind, the word conjures ideas of community, a casual atmosphere, a cup of coffee and pastry to start off a great weekend, and more – the list of positive things goes on and on. Learn a bit more about one of the oldest-informal car shows in Southern California that manages to attract out of towner’s from all around to come grab a bear claw and a cup of dark roast.

The word Donut Derelict may cause a bit of confusion at first. What is it? A car club? A car show? A car show put on by the car club? The simple answer is that Donut Derelicts represents both the community and the event that has evolved through grassroots over the years. You can learn more about the meet here.

Back in 1986, four friends including automotive artist Rick Finn started hanging around a small donut shop situated in a shopping center at the corner of Adams and Magnolia Avenue in Huntington Beach, California. Other people began to notice the four friends hanging out sipping coffee and conversing around their hot rods. Gradually, they drew out a crowd from the community’s hot rod owners. What started out as a four car coffee break grew into a function that practically fills the entirety of the shopping center’s parking lot these days.

Donut Derelicts garnered community wide notoriety when an editor from Street Rodder wrote up an article titled “Hot Rodders Coffee Break.” When the article’s issue hit the stands word quickly spread about the local hot rod fair. The event has drawn in individuals like Art Chrisman, Lil John Buttera, and builder/concept artist Chip Foose just to name a few.

Rick Finn, who sadly passed away in 2006 at the age of 52 was a motor sports artist who was responsible for a lot of the Donut Derelict Memorabilia and Merchandise. His initial t-shirt design took car enthusiasts by storm and now you see letterman jackets and countless t’s that allow men and women to proudly display their support of the Derelict lifestyle.

Nowadays you can drop by and check out the largest informal gathering of hot rods, classics, kustoms, rats, and gassers every Saturday morning. People usually gather between the hours of 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and the event features no rules, no prizes, no formal competition, and no flyers.

Donut Derelicts has gone on to inspire several coffee and breakfast meets but this is definitely one of Southern California’s oldest and most renown. If you’re ever near the Orange County/Beach Cities area of Southern Cali and it happens to be a Saturday morning, stop by the donut shop and check out what all the hype’s about.

The gathering of local families as well as guys sneaking out of bed to squeeze a meet and pastry in before weekend errands is quite impressive. You can search videos on YouTube of different people recording their experiences at Donut Derelicts.

For anyone with access to the area it’s a great start for establishing a network of individuals who live and breathe cars–from buyers, sellers, tip gurus, to a simple helping hand, it’s all their in the form of a community attracted to the smell of coffee beans and octane.