The Road Kings gravitate toward street rods -- modern versions of the old hot rods -- as well as restored or modified cars of the '50s and '60s. The club's weekend outings are far from hell-raising: wine tastings, picnics and beach-side car shows.
Founded as a racing club in 1952, the Road Kings is now a family-oriented group known throughout the L.A. region for charitable fundraising -- the club traditionally donates a portion of admission fees to car shows and other events. In fact, hopeful members must prove their eligibility and dedication by working at least four club events. In the past decade, the Road Kings have contributed more than $220,000 to local charities.
Circling the Globe
Whatever your four-wheeled fantasy, there is a car club for you. Strictly into Model Ts? No problem. There's any number of national, regional and local vintage-Ford clubs looking for new members. Lucky enough to own a classic Packard, Stutz or pre-war Cadillac? The Antique Automobile Club of America would love to meet you. Literally thousands of auto clubs flourish across the country.
And, don't worry, They're not the old boys' clubs of "American Graffiti" days. Members need not even change their own sparkplugs to join -- the institutions are more about community and camaraderie than anything else.
The Mid Peninsula Old Time Auto Club, based in the San Francisco Bay area, celebrates its 45th anniversary this year with more than 200 members from all walks of life. In addition to its monthly tours and shows, the MPOTAC sponsors the Friendship Day car show and family gathering each May. Nearly 800 owners of every special-interest vehicle imaginable turn out for a day of barbecues and blatant ogling.
Member Bill Harrison says: "Club members bring their cars to a lot of community events like Fourth of July and Labor Day parades. We're pretty well known up and down the San Francisco Peninsula."
Founded in 1935, the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) claims more than 50,000 members in all 50 states and more than 50 countries. Each fall, it hosts a five-day show and swap meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The event attracts more than 1,800 cars and 10,000 flea-market vendors, who display their wares on almost 300 acres of showgrounds. Visitors and entrants swarm from all corners of the globe.
If you can't make it to Hershey, you might consider the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, which has attracted roughly 70,000 members in its 20-plus years. Catering to owners of street rods and custom cars, Goodguys offers 22 annual events across the country that range from two-day affairs attended by 20,000 to three- and four-day extravaganzas attracting more than 100,000 auto enthusiasts.
It's important to note that both the Goodguys and the AACA operate through local and regional clubs. You can be a member of an international organization with huge resources but still enjoy the companionship and friendships of a local club. Hal Russel sums it up this way: "Being a Burbank Road King has introduced my wife and me to many new friends and their families for sharing good times and not-so-good times, as well. Regardless of whether we just get together or travel together, it becomes one big happy family."
Photos by Ken Layne
Ken Layne () is a former automotive engineer and the author of various books and articles including "Automobile Electronics & Basic Electrical Systems" and "Car Service"
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