By Jake BOWMAN

For the past 17 years, downtown Montrose has been a place to show off hundreds of classic cars, motorcycles and hot rods. On Sunday, July 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the 2200, 2300 & 2400 blocks of Honolulu Avenue, the Montrose Shopping Park will be home to the 18th Annual Montrose Car Show. Local car enthusiasts, as well as enthusiasts from Arizona, San Diego and Ventura, are expected to gather on Honolulu Avenue to show off their collection of vintage and custom cars. This year there will be 300 cars – hot rods, classics, exotics and trucks – in attendance with close to 30 old-time motorcycles on display. Among the day’s highlights will be the presentation of 33 award plaques to different winners and an event known as Nitrofest! according to Dave Maher, the man in charge of the car show.

“We will have seven race cars/dragsters and two drag racing boats that will be started up at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.,” Maher said. “All have a very rich history in drag racing.”

Automotive transportation is an integral part of the everyday lives of Americans. According to the French trade association the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers – OICA – the United States produced over 11 million personal cars and commercial vehicles last year. Car sales have been on the rise steadily since 2010 and reached over 100 million since last year. There is no argument that Americans have a long fascination with all things that move – cars, boats and motorcycles among them – and the evolution of automotive design. Events like the Montrose Car Show offers an opportunity for enthusiasts to explore the history of hot rods, classics, exotics and trucks. Having the owners on-site is an added benefit; they’re usually eager to answer any questions regarding their vehicles.

The show has grown each year and there will be an estimated 8,000-10,000 people at this year’s show.

“When the show was in its first year, I believe they had 12 cars,” Maher said. “We now fill all three blocks of downtown Montrose.” The shopping park, which is hosting the event, is no longer accepting applications to participate in the show as all space is filled.

Maher will be showing off his 1941 Willys coupe in the show.

For more information, visit www.shopmontrose.com.

  Jake BOWMAN