OCEANSIDE — For the third year South Oceanside Elementary held its annual South O Car and Bike Show fundraiser March 21. More than 100 classic cars and souped-up motorcycles filled the school’s grass field.
“We’ve got rat rods, high-end lowriders, competition cars, pedigree drag cars, and very old classics,” Dino Iacovino, PTO dad and event organizer, said.
A good number of the cars on display were 1950s to 1970s American classics that ranged from charming Chevy trucks to powerful muscle cars.
There were also historic Ford Model Ts, and one-of-a-kind custom cars.
John Daley, vice president of Oceanside Historical Society, showed off a Model T truck, which is thought to have been used at the former Spaulding dairy in the 1920s and 1930s.
Steve Moore, a hot rod car club member, brought his 1950 Chevy 3100 five-window pickup truck. Moore said he and fellow club members have shown their classic cars at the event for the past three years. Moore is also the owner of Budget Courier, and a major sponsor of the school fundraiser.
Also on display was a rare 1957 Porsche Speedster. Only 5,000 were manufactured between 1954 and 1958.
Car owners competed for show trophies, and earned bragging rights. Awards were given in 12 categories and included under construction, best rat rod, best daily driver, and best muscle car.
Many car owners said their motivation for entering the show was to support the kids.
“They’re motivate to know the money is going to the school,” Iacovino said. “The hot rod community and biker community are coming to support our school.”
The event included live music, a kids’ game area, raffles, a flash mob dance performed by South Oceanside Elementary students, and dozens of vender and food booths.
Top Notch Barber Shop set up two salon chairs and gave haircuts, with all proceeds going to the school. Shop owner Nacho Camarena said he and his wife Angie Camarena met at the school as kids and became childhood sweethearts. Their two children Able and Elena now attend South Oceanside Elementary.
The car show fundraiser was initiated by the school PTO. Iacovino said it took convincing the first year to get PTO moms on board with the out of the box idea.
Since then the car show has grown, and proven to be a top fundraiser for the school. In previous years the event brought in $6,500 plus. Iacovino said this year’s goal is $10,000, with a portion of the proceeds designated to funding fifth grade camp scholarships.
