Show car fans converge for La Gente’s 28th Super Show
IMPERIAL — The Imperial Valley Fairgrounds was a red carpet Saturday for the prized rides of car clubs from throughout Southern California.
The 28th annual La Gente Super Show featured enough vintage and customized vehicles to fill both the Casa de Mañana and Cultural Arts buildings at the fairgrounds.
The auto show, which took place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., had mostly shiny, sparkly cruisers, lowriders and vintage cars.
A few classic trucks were also on display.
Local car clubs, such as Holtville Car Club, Aztlan Car Club Valle Imperial, Midnight Society and Xclusive Car Club, were represented among the lots of vehicles.
Members of La Gente — a 42-year-old Brawley-based car club — were easy to spot in their black T-shirts with a golden logo Saturday.
Opting to let their cars do the speaking,
Joe Buzo and his fellow Drifters Car Club Imperial Valley members sort of kept to themselves in the Casa de Mañana.
Jorge Padilla, on the other hand, wanted to make sure everyone knew Holtville CC was on hand, and periodically he’d sound off the aftermarket horn in his 1956 Bel Air inside the Cultural Arts building.
Among the rides from outside the Valley was a 1981 El Camino named “Twilight.”
Owner Elijah Uvalle, of San Diego, redid the interior to allow for remotely controlled LED headlights he could switch in color through an app on his cell phone.
Ray and Rosie Garcia, of El Cajon, showed up in their 1971 Monte Carlo.
Hailing from Yuma was the Impalas Car Club Yuma, Ariz., Chapter.
The Revolution Club, representing both Yuma and Imperial Valley, was also on hand.
A sign at the entrance Saturday indicated that face masks were required to enter the event. Yet many visitors were not wearing one.
Admission was $5 for La Gente Del Valle Imperial’s annual fundraiser.
La Gente has been cruising the Valley’s streets since 1979. Antonio Camacho and other members work with underprivileged youths in Brawley. Members help youngsters develop mechanical skills and develop a show-worthy ride. This mentoring is provided even before the kids have earned a their driver’s license.
One of the objectives is to provide an alternative to a lifestyle that involves vices such as drug use.
Additionally, the club sponsors a youth boxing program out of its facility on A Street in Brawley. It also conducts an annual Christmas toy drive.
It wasn’t until July that the boxing facility had air conditioning.
The Brawley City Council on July 20 unanimously approved a resolution to purchase an air conditioner for the facility.