Sunlight glistened off pearlescent-painted and chrome-plated hot rods at the 30th annual Fun in the Sun Run hot rod show held at the Kern County Museum on Sept. 20. While one might expect roaring engines and gasoline-perfumed air, instead sounds and scents of children laughing and tri-tip BBQ flowed to the ear and nose.
One hundred and seventy-nine vehicles with manufacture dates from 1959 or prior were on display from the surrounding Kern County area. The event was sponsored by the Vintage Limited Street Rods Club of Bakersfield and has been held at the museum for the past 10 years. In addition, the museum received all of the proceeds generated during the show.
The price of restoring a vehicle of this type can vary greatly. Owners can incur a much higher cost if they choose to have the work done by professionals in the industry.
Konny Boyd, Bakersfield resident and 1955 Willys Jeep owner, chose to hire shops specializing in various parts of the restoration rather than do the work herself. At a cost of $24,000 and four years of time, the vehicle was completed.
“It reminded me of my Dad. It’s the color of his eyes. That’s why I painted it that color,” Boyd said.
Restoring an automobile at home can save money; however, it is still not considered inexpensive, as Joe Hill of Caliente described. Difficult-to-find parts often need to be sought out at other similar events. Declining to state the total cost, Hill said restoration was a hobby of love. Their stock-restored 1930 Ford Model A was entered into the show.
“I like keeping them as stock as possible,” Hill mentioned, while describing his project, although he admitted to the suspension being lower then the original manufacturer had intended. “It was a good car to start with. The engines are simple to work on. Restoration has been in the family. My dad started restoring cars when he was a teenager.”
This was the third show of this year that the Hills have traveled to as they prefer to keep the distance under 100 miles from his home.
“It’s no trailer queen,” Hill commented about his Ford. The 79-year-old vehicle has a top speed of around 60 mph, but he prefers to keep it closer to 50 while on the highway.
“It’s a passion. We just enjoy the nostalgia of old cars,” said Dick Carr, 29-year club veteran and vice president.