By Isiah REYES

The Early Rodders car club has teamed up with Just Tires to showcase classic cars and hot rods every Wednesday through the summer on the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Boston Avenue in an attempt to attract more visitors to La Crescenta.

Dwight Sityar, an Early Rodders member, joined Just Tires store manager Kosta Papavasiliou to start the weekly showcase.

“Thanks to Kosta, it’s the first time we’re putting a car show on Foothill,” Sityar said.

The goal of the car show is to get people to see the cars and get motivated to visit the businesses nearby, such as Starbucks and restaurants Yakis and Everest.

Early Rodders is a group of classic car aficionados that get together to share their love of cars.

Every Wednesday the club brings about 20 to 25 cars to Just Tires. The cars on display have included a 1949 Ford T-Bucket, 1932 Ford, 1963 Chevrolet Nova, 1969 Oldsmobile 442, 1965 Mustang, 1932 Roadster and a 1953 GMC pickup truck, among others.

Papavasiliou said he agreed with Sityar that the classic cars on display could help bring in more business.

“The first week was kind of slow, but last week was bigger,” Papavasiliou said. “I think as people drive by, they will begin to notice [the display].”

Classic car owner Joe Cavataio, the owner of a 1955 Ford Victoria, said he enjoys the new location because he lives in the area.

“I think this event is pretty good,” Cavataio said. “There are always different cars here.”

Sityar said he only wants to hold the event during the summer with the hope of building anticipation for next year. He chose Wednesday because it is a slow business day but also because it can rival – or complement – Sunland’s Food Truck Wednesdays and possibly bring in people from that crowd.

The Early Rodders normally get together on Saturdays in Montrose at the United Artists Theater parking lot in La Cañada Flintridge from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. The Saturday morning get-togethers started with 20 to 30 cars and now there are about 150 cars that take part. Although Just Tires would not be able to hold as many cars, the Wednesday display could be the start of an ongoing showcase on Foothill Boulevard.

“Just Tires is very happy to have us here,” Sityar said. “Putting the cars in front is a compliment to them and at the same time it’s a compliment to us. So it works hand in hand.”

The classic cars will be on display from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Wednesday until the end of summer at Just Tires, located on 3765 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta.

  Isiah REYES