From my hometown of Novato in Northern California, about 30 miles north of the Golden Gate, I toured south to Bakersfield and across the desert with three other cars from our NorCal Regional club: Don Barnes in a ’58 Biarritz, Dave & Patti Ricci in a ’61 SDV and Larry & Jo Ann Brennan in a ’60 Biarritz. We traveled early and stayed overnight in Bakersfield in an effort to beat the heat and make the trip more leisurely. It was necessary to keep the top up on my convertible just to get the shade and cope with 90+ degree heat, but all of us made the trip without a problem. Las Vegas is like an adult Disney World constantly under construction, but I was able to cruise my ’49 up and down the glamorous strip with Frank Sinatra crooning from my boom-box — a long time fantasy come true. Also, seeing the Hoover Dam was awesome — a tribute to what massive projects Americans can build.
The Las Vegas Region did an outstanding job of planning and executing a great event. Having the car show indoors provided a secure, air conditioned space, and the lights really made those Cads and LaSalles sparkle. I was the only entry in my 48-49 judging class. There was a beautiful dark cherry maroon ’48 convertible, but it was entered as display only.
Las Vegas GN Indoor Show Field Showing Charles’ ’49 Convertible
Next To Ed Cholakian’s Original, 15,000 Mile 1950 Cadillac
A Closer Look At Charles’ Convertible In Front Of Caesar’s Palace
Scanning the April of 2008 list of 49ers and the list of people in attendance, I believe ‘49er chapter members attending besides me include Dan Fisher, Ed Cholakian, Frank Stagnitto, Herman Desser and Larry Brennan. There may have been others.
The photo on the previous page is the First Place award I won. Needless to say, I was thrilled even though the competition was absent. [Ed. Note: But, as can be seen in the top two photos, the award to Charles’ gorgeous convertible was richly deserved, regardless of competition.]
I think everyone who drove or trailered a car across the Mojave Desert to Nevada could easily be named a winner just for that effort alone. I left only a small amount behind in the slot machines, and as evidenced by my thorough exhaustion upon arriving back at home, I can definitely state that I had a great time
