“Charger Steve” Lordigan plans to bring the Wild Rides and Classic Car Showdown to Pacific Beach on Aug. 15. Courtesy photo

The second annual Wild Rides and Classic Car Showdown will park itself in Pacific Beach this year on Aug. 15.

Steve Lordigan, known to car enthusiasts as “Charger Steve,” organized the first Wild Rides Classic Car Showdown in Del Mar last year and wanted to hold it in Pacific Beach this year.

“It will be a show of shows,” Lordigan said. He hopes to incorporate the best aspects of the other shows he coordinates, such as the Cajon Classic Cruise every Wednesday during summer and events for the East County Cruisers as well.

Spectators can expect a pre-1980 selection of vehicles lining Garnet Avenue between Mission Boulevard and Cass Street. The entertainment will consist of comedians, ‘50s music and magicians. A bikini contest will take place in the afternoon. Sycuan Casino, sponsor of the event, will be raffling off prizes.

Famous replica cars that will be on display include Herbie from “The Love Bug” and the DeLorean from “Back to the Future.”

“We are hoping business owners will benefit from this,” Lordigan said.

He hopes spectators will head to Pacific Beach and patronize the local restaurants and shops while enjoying the sentimentality and excitement that cars bring to those who love them.

“There’s always a history with cars,” Lordigan said.

People see a ’57 Chevy and it takes them back to riding in their parents’ old car, he explained.

The vehicles are all in great condition, he said.

“Some of the work done to the vehicles is very creative,” Lordigan said.

Owners of these types of cars typically will not drive them around beach areas since there is so little parking and they worry about the vehicle’s security. The ambiance of Pacific Beach will be a huge draw for car owners who typically display their vehicles at shows inland, he said.

“The cooler temperatures and the chance to show where cars aren’t typically shown are exciting,” Lordigan said.

The highlight of the day will be when Big Monkey Motor Sports blows up an engine.

“We take a V8 Chevy engine and we run it with no oil and no water,” Lordigan said.

Big Monkey Motor Sports manages the engine blow-up, which rarely results in flames. The engine is revved at 4,000 rpm, usually smoking until it blows.

Until the engine is started, car show spectators can guess how long it will take for the engine to blow up. Whoever guesses correctly, wins a prize.

“You can never really tell what the engine is going to do,” Lordigan said.

The event will be free for spectators.

Owners of pre-1980 hot-rods, stock-classic, muscle and antique cars are still welcome to enter. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information visit www.chargersteve.com.

              

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