19th Annual Orange Plaza Car Show Draws 400+ Pre-’75 Cars and Trucks

More than 400 pre-1975 street rods, custom and classic cars and trucks lined the streets surrounding the historic Orange Plaza in downtown Orange, California, Sunday the 21st of April, 2013. The 19th annual Orange Plaza Car Show was hosted by the Orange Sunrise Rotary, and an estimated 15,000 spectators were on hand to view the cars and trucks parked for blocks in every direction radiating out from the center of Old Towne Orange.

It was a wonderful event with local restaurants and shops open for business to serve car owners as well as visitors in attendance. Old Towne Orange is well known for its fine dining establishments and excellent antique shops, which made it a perfect backdrop for a car show that featured classic automobiles ranging from 1936 vintage trucks to 1970s muscle cars. Some of Chevy Hardcore’s favorites were the bright red 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu owned by Toby Arballo, the 1957 Chevrolet Cameo pickup owned by John and Linda Phelps, Willis Pearson’s flamed 1957 Chevrolet Station Wagon and Zach Smotherman’s 1936 Chevrolet 1/2-ton pickup truck.

If strolling among the hundreds of beautifully decorated, modified or restored cars and trucks were not enough to keep the crowd happy all day, entertainment was on hand, as well. A professional DJ played tunes from the Fifties and Sixties to keep the Plaza hopping, two live bands performed later during the day, and prizes and trophies were handed to dozens of winners in a wide range of show vehicle classes. Aside from the classic cars and trucks, a pro-fuel dragster and Army vehicles were also on display for attendees to view.

For those interested in attending next year’s car show, or entering their car or truck in the 20th annual Orange Plaza Car Show, the tentative date for the event is set for April 13, 2014 (Palm Sunday). For more information, contact the Orange Sunrise Rotary. To see more cars and trucks from the 2013 event, go to the Orange Plaza Car Show Facebook Page.