By Lizett Bond
Photos by Matt, Chris O and Kirk G
They rode in, they drove in, were trailered in or towed in. They arrived by night or in the early morning fog.
They came for the show. On Saturday, June 1, 2013 over 5,000 spectators and more than 350 display vehicles arrived on the campus of the Boys Republic in Chino Hills, CA for the 6th Annual Friends of Steve McQueen Car and Motorcycle Show benefiting the venerable school.
Founded in 2008 by members of the Porsche 356 Club of Southern California, the event raises awareness and funds in support of the Boys Republic, a private, non-profit, nonsectarian community for at-risk teens, established in 1907. As a Boys Republic 1947-49 alumnus, McQueen earned self-respect through work and accomplishment during his stay at the facility. The actor never forgot and was a frequent visitor even after he became a Hollywood star.
one of the great fun highlights of this year’s show was a successful recreation of The Great Escape’s famous motorcyle jump scene. I’m not sure who the young guy is who rode this stunt, but he pullled it off twice, flying high through the air with perfect landings both times — well done.
The Friends of Steve McQueen Car and Motorcycle Show blends McQueen’s passion for cars and motorcycles with his passionate support of the school. Each year, a theme from a McQueen movie role is woven throughout the event. This year’s show focused on German cars, motorcycles and military equipment saluting the classic 1963 World War II film, “The Great Escape”.
Steve, now Chad’s, 1958 Porsche Speedster 1600 Super — and it is
Spectators enjoyed a diverse collection of the classic, the expensive and the rare. Highlights included a Cooper T-52 Formula Junior and Chad McQueen’s black Speedster, both owned at one time by Chad’s famous father. Crowd favorites included an original 1965 Ford GT40, 1949 Belly Tank Lakester, Roush Mustang. A 1935/41 Miller-Ford NOVI-Winfield also caught the eye. Entrants vied for a host of unique trophies designed and fashioned out of engine parts by the students of Boys Republic. Michael Dunn’s 1940 Zündapp motorcycle with sidecar broke out as The Great Escape Trophy winner.
You’ll have to pardon me for showing off my own car, the black ’89 Carrera 3.2 coupe in the foreground is my own, and what I entered in the show this year. And check out the tasty 997 GT3 parked just next to me – yum
This rumbling, grumbling V-12 engined Mustang buzzed the grounds and thrilled the crowd as much as did any of the cars on hand
As the crowd mingled and strolled the field, a realistic reproduction of Stalag Luft III, the POW camp depicted in the movie, stood as silent sentry, complete with guard tower, cooler, tunnel, and barbed wire fencing. The set exploded into life as the California Historical Group, a World War II living history association, re-enacted the legendary escape scene portrayed in the film, complete with McQueen’s character, Hilts infamous motorcycle jump. Rifle-carrying German soldiers fired on the M4A1 Sherman tank as a P-51 Mustang, complements of Chino Airport Planes of Fame Museum, performed a flyover.
Since its start in 2007, the event has gathered momentum, and the proceeds for this year’s show approached $200,000. The beneficiaries of these monies, the boys of the Boys Republic, play a yearly role in this fundraising effort, participating in every aspect of the show from traffic control and parking to preparing and serving the Friday night pre-show dinner to 500 al fresco diners.
yeah, that was me hosting the Friday night gala fundraiser — what great fun and all for good reasons
The evening festivities featured a program MC’d by automotive journalist, editor and Speed TV commentator, Matt Stone, along with a silent auction, wine tasting with Rock Wall Wine Company, and a very successful live auction featuring 2004 American Idol runner-up Matt Rogers as auctioneer with Boys Republic students assisting as callers.
The theme of the 7th Annual Friends of Steve McQueen Car and Motorcycle Show on June 7, 2014, will be The Thomas Crown Affair.
Chad McQueen, Steve’s only son, played the perfect host as co-chairman of the show. He greeted and thanked everyone, shook a million hands, and signed as many autographs. A fine dude, and this show and the school are very important to him and his family.
Trophy Winners
The Great Escape Award (bike only) Michael Dunn 1940 Zundapp w/sidecar
Best European Bike Don Reichel 1969 BMW w/sidecar
Best American Bike Brad Boyle 1999 Harley Davidson
Best Japanese Bike Gareth Ashworth 1991 Honda 750
Best Café Racer John Dunham Norton Manx
Best Dirt Bike Don Petersen 1965 CZ 250
Best Custom Motorcycle Adrian Packatt 2007 Triumph Canyon Cycle
Motorcycle Best in Class Laurie Bogsio 1953 Vincent Black Shadow
Best Paint of Show Randy Palmer 1960 Dodge Power Wagon
American Street Car D. & C. Fernandez 1974 Chevy Vega
Best Pre-90’s Corvette Lee McCoy 1960 Corvette
Best Post-90’s Corvette Erik Simonsen 2013 Corvette GS
Best Italian Street Car Hector Vazquez 1974 Alfa Romeo GTV
Chad McQueen Award Bird Bete 1970 BMW/VonDutch/sidecar
Judges Choice Bisi Ezerioha 1976 Porsche 911 w/CAN-BUS
The Boys of BR Motorcycle Award Dave Scoffone Triumph
Ron Harris/Chairmans Award Aaron Weiss 1934 Packer
Chris Burns/Directors Award Chuck Bartron 1984 930
Best Street Truck George Dull 1971 Chevrolet
Best Hauler Truck Ron Adler 1965 Crew Cab Pickup
Bullitt Best in Class Bret Duff 2008 Bullitt
Best Open Hot Rod Dick Bennett 1932 Ford
Best Closed Hot Rod Tim Weens 1934 Ford
Model A or T Steve Salazar 1931 AA Ford
Closed 356 Freeman Thomas 1956 356A
Open 356 Jim Bouzaglou 356
Outlaw 356 Yolanda Borner 1961 356B Outlaw
Best 911 John Tolen Porsche 1973 911E
English Street Car Craig Ludwin 1959 Austin Healy Bug Eye
Le Mans Trophy (race car) Tom Malloy 1935/41 Miller-Ford Novi Indycar
Best Early Mustang Donald Oaks 1968 Mustang
Best Late Mustang Michael O’Donnell 2001 Mustang