A semi-truck roared by the gathering of classic street rod cars and their owners. The driver honked his horn loud and long. The guys, all members of the Bent Axles car club, waved in return.
“We get a lot of that,” said Larry Eskew. “Trucks honk and people pass us on the road and give us a thumbs up.”
The men gathered around their shiny cars recently to talk to the Sun about the Bent Axles’ 29th annual cruise and barbecue. Of course, that meant talking cars.
“This is a gray-haired sport,” said Jim Snodgrass, referring to the obvious average age of his fellow club members.
He added that it takes time and money to keep up with the hobby. A lot of money.
Starting from scratch on one of the cars would cost about $60,000 to $70,000, Eskew said.
“Our investment would be the equivalent of having a new Corvette,” Snodgrass noted.
Then the teasing began. One guy joked to another: “Hey, didn’t you buy yours original?”
“I had one in high school—in the ’60s!”
“What, did you graduate when you were 23?”
Joking aside, many of the Bent Axle members sparked their fascination with street rods in high school.
“We grew up with these cars, so most of us are older,” Eskew said.
Snodgrass talked of his early love of the vehicles, as well as the reality that comes with such an obsession: “I hate to sell them, but you have to sell one to get another.”
Bob Hughes had a 1932 five-window coupe when he was in high school. At the time, the parts were easier to come by—and a lot cheaper. Restoring, therefore, was a reasonable endeavor.
“Most high school kids would be hard pressed to do that now,” he said.
The cars that purr and shine under the care of Bent Axles members are all pre-1949. Eskew explained that cars built later start to fall under other umbrellas: custom or muscle cars. The upcoming event, however, is open to all cars made before 1972.
The three-day event has already attracted car owners from all over the state, from out of state, and even from as far away as Canada. Last year, the event drew about 120 cars. This year, only 92 cars are entered so far, but Eskew said the number usually doubles on the day of the event.
The Bent Axles Street Rod Club is a nonprofit with 160 members. That figure includes wives, because, as most of the guys agreed, “you can’t have a car if your wife doesn’t allow it!” As for cars, the club boasts about 78. The members aim to promote interest and understanding of street rod and classic car activities. The club is actively involved in the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Trade Show, the Special Olympics Car Show, and the Cruise for Life Car Show. It’s also supported troops through donations to the Wounded Warrior Fund and monthly care packages. Last year, Bent Axles members transported amputee and wounded servicemen during their stay in Pismo Beach while they learned to surf.
The community service, the car shows, the time, the effort, and the money the cars require all add up. But the payoff is simple: the thrill of the ride.
“It’s our love for cars, and there’s nothing more fun than getting a string of these cars driving on the highway,” Eskew said.
Arts Editor Shelly Cone is thinking of starting a minivan club. Contact her at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 9-16, 2009.