Car shows bring community together
Cars have always been an important piece of history, dating back to their invention in …. to modern day race cars. These incredible machines are presented in car shows that allow cars to be shared both locally and globally. These shows influence people to express their interest in the automobile industry and share their own collections with like-minded individuals. You may or may not be aware of the local car scene, but Ventura County’s car culture runs deep and has become a unifying experience for community members.
Car shows, also known as auto shows, are events that showcase many types of cars including vintage cars, sports cars, prototype models, race cars and more. These events typically attract motor enthusiasts to view cars as well as show off their own. In our local area, there are many car shows including the biweekly Conejo Valley C&C which is a “Cars and Coffee” show at the Oaks Mall.
One of the most iconic car shows is Monterey Car Week, a week-long series of events in Monterey, California. Robert Ross, automotive editorial consultant of the Robb Report and managing partner of RossMadrid Group, is deeply entrenched in the car community and pillar of vehicular knowledge finds that car shows are not only beneficial to the car community but also the local community. “Most car shows are underpinned by some kind of charity function. So for instance Monterey Car and Pebble Beach have a charity for Boys and Girls clubs up in their area…what they give back shows beyond the small charitable component entry fees and ticket prices and all that,” Ross said.
Senior Tyler Lacy has found car shows to be connective for car lovers. “Everyone’s usually pretty friendly. If you like cars, everyone bonds over that no matter what car you like… All these cultures intertwine and everyone, everyone’s friendly about that,” Lacy said. Cars are a vehicle for self-expression and allow for interactive experiences. People are able to witness a part of history in the present.
Another senior, local car aficionado Ryan Eby has found them to be a fulfilling hobby and an interactive activity. “Cars are unique because you get a hands-on experience [being able] to drive a work of art. There is nothing quite like cruising through a canyon in your favorite car,” Eby said. “They also give me something to learn about which makes it fun to work on with friends. It is a great experience learning as well as teaching to those close to me.”
Car shows allow for like minded car-loving people to meet at the same place at the same time. “[Car shows are the] best culture in the world. They allow people to establish a benchmark, a baseline for excellence. And that’s also an opportunity for people to socialize for like-minded souls to get together,” Ross said.
unique because you get a hands-on experience [being able] to drive a work of art. There is nothing quite like cruising through a canyon in your favorite car,” Eby said. “They also give me something to learn about which makes it fun to work on with friends. It is a great experience learning as well as teaching to those close to me.”
Car shows allow for like minded car-loving people to meet at the same place at the same time. “[Car shows are the] best culture in the world. They allow people to establish a benchmark, a baseline for excellence. And that’s also an opportunity for people to socialize for like-minded souls to get together,” Ross said.
