Photography – Dave Cruikshank

Believe it or not, summer 2019 is winding down. For car show fans, one of the best Southern California meets is still ahead and coming soon to Ontario, California, September 20th-21st.

Car shows are a great way to meet other like-minded car peeps and see all the cool rods and kustoms in the area, trundled out into the summer sun. That’s all fine and dandy, but memories of a killer venue can sometimes linger on long after the cars and people have all returned home.

The Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion in Ontario, California, is an excellent example of a killer car show with an equally cool venue. Held in old historic downtown Ontario, on a sleepy strip of the city where time has stood still. With old cars lined up the boulevard, one can imagine a simpler, sunny time in Southern California before all hell broke loose with sprawl, people and development.

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Something for everyone. Everyone welcomed...

According to the organizers, the Greater Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion, “Is the ultimate weekend celebration of America’s love affair with the automobile and its world-famous highway, Route 66. Two days of cruisin’, contests, live entertainment, fabulous food, and revelry make it one of the best events of its kind.

“Held annually each September along historic, tree-shaded Euclid Avenue in Ontario, California, Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion is where classic cruisers, convertibles, hot rods, and wicked Woodies fuel a jam-packed jamboree. Route 66 Cruisin’ Reunion has something for everyone!  Including musical guests! Come as a family, food or retail vendor, bring your classic car, and enjoy a stroll along the street to admire the beauty of these fabulous vehicles from yesteryear.”

Last year, I was asked to be a judge at the event and pick my favorite car. It was a tough job, but when I saw Dan and Sherri McInturff’s 1921 Dodge Touring Sedan I knew we had a winner. Aside from looking like a life-size, bucket Hot Wheel, it’s not every day that you see an old Dodge Brother’s car from this era anywhere.

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This old Dodge, found in a warehouse in Sacramento, California, is the result of six years of hard work by Dan and his friend Cliff Gustin.  Starting with a rough but mostly complete car, it was slowly brought in the 21st century. Originally running an S-10 2.8 liter V6, it’s now running a 350 Chevy V8 out of a neighbor’s Camaro.

The motor, backed up by a 700R automatic transmission, sits in a boxed factory frame, running front discs, rear drums, a Chevy Nova steering box and a rear-end surrendered by aforementioned S-10.

The body is all stock from the body panels to the windshield.  The metal skin took a long time to get right as all the door bottoms were infested with the tin worm. The guys had to manufacture most everything the car needed as parts for this rod are not just rare as hen’s teeth, they don’t exist.

The car’s most controversial element are the big Boss wheels, 16’s upfront, and 20’s outback. Some folks are pretty particular about stance and wheels and while these modern rims may ruffle some feathers, we loved the look.

With body straightened out, it was time for paint and interior. Sherri picked out the colors of Ford Medium Harvest and Kia Java Brown, and Axalta supplied the paint.  The brown Naugahyde interior sports an original, sliding, “Fatman” oak steering wheel, Dolphin Gauges and four doors for easy entry. Hector at Riverside Upholstery handled the stitching.

We asked the McInturffs why they chose such an obscure era of car.  Both Dan and Sherri’s parents were born in 1921 so the year had sentimental value. Sadly, although they were able to ride in the car, they passed before they could see the latest iteration.

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For now, the McInturffs are cruising around Southern California enjoying the car! Be sure and mark your calendars for the 2019 Route ’66 Crusin’ Reunion come to Ontario Califonia.

EVENT PROGRAM 2019

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH

HOURS – 5:00PM TO 11:00PM
Cruisin’, Show & Shine, Vendors open.

EUCLID AVENUE MAIN STAGE
5:00PM – 7:00PM
Rockstars of Tomorrow LIVE on the Euclid Median Stage

ONTARIO TOWN SQUARE
6:00PM – 7:30PM
Surf City All Stars

7:30PM – 9:00PM
Susie & the Cruisers

9:00PM – 10:30PM
Elvis My Way starring Brandon Bennet

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST

HOURS – 9:00AM TO MIDNIGHT
Cruisin’, Show & Shine, Vendors open.

EUCLID AVENUE MEDIAN STAGE
10:00AM – 6:00PM
Various bands presented by Rockstars of Tomorrow

ONTARIO TOWN SQUARE
5:30PM – 7:00PM
Lil Elmo & the Cosmos

7:00PM – 7:45PM
Award Ceremony

7:45PM – 9:15PM
US 99 Band

9:30PM – 11:00PM
FOGHAT!