by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

On Sunday, Claremont’s Community Emergency Response Team held a car show at Claremont Toyota, filling the dealership’s southern lot and garage with classic and modern vehicles and scores of car enthusiasts. The event was the first of its kind for Claremont CERT, and according to team leader Larry Horowitz, it was a huge success.

Registration fees and various sponsorship pledges generated $6,000 after expenses for Claremont CERT, all of which will go to aid the response team.

“We’re at the point in time right now where Claremont CERT is in the fundraising mode to help restore, replenish and replace aged equipment and items. So, we thought this would be an excellent way to do it, have a lot of fun [and] meet a lot of people,” Horowitz said. “And as you can see, we’ve exceeded our expectation for a first-time event.”

About 170 owners registered their prized cars for Sunday’s event with even more spectators coming out to see what was on display. The show featured famous movie and television cars including the Volkswagen Beetle from “Herbie: Fully Loaded,” and a replica of the 1955 Buick Century from the late 1950s series “Highway Patrol.”

The show also included a 1915 Ford Model T, driven by Jim Callahan, which had mismatched, bald tires, broken headlights and was considerably rusty. It was also a big crowd pleaser. Asked if he was nervous driving such a rusty car, Callahan said on the contrary, part of the fun is the fear that the wheels might fall off.

Another highlight was Riverside native Danny Arant’s 2004 commemorative edition Chevrolet Corvette, number 64 of just 200 ever produced. According to Arant, the vehicle was built by Advanced Automotive Technologies to resemble the original 1953 Corvette, but with updated mechanicals. Advanced Automotive Technologies is owned by former GM designer Steve Pasteiner.

Crowds were drawn to Kim Snow’s skull-themed 2016 Dodge Charger and Juan Ordaz’s 1993 Mazda B2200 pick-up and trailer with custom hydraulics.

Famous guests were also in attendance, including Sirius XM deejay Shotgun Tom Kelley and actor Noel Gugliemi. Gugliemi is known for various roles, typically portraying a gangster, and has credits in “The Fast and the Furious,” “Training Day” and “Street Kings.”

The event also included a raffle and a brief awards ceremony featuring piston-shaped trophies. Winners included Edward Telles, Fan’s choice, 1959 Chevrolet El Camino; Wayne Flame, best paint job, 1931 Ford coupe; Jim Ledesma, Timeless beauty, 1939 Chevrolet coupe; Adolpho Garcia, Excellence, 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air; Anthony Cabrerra, best of show hot rod, 1934 Chevrolet coupe; Allen Curren, best vintage vehicle, 1933 Chevrolet Coach; Gregg Pappas, Police Chief’s trophy, 1956 Porsche coupe, Sarah Prosenko, best of show truck, 1964 Chevrolet C10; Abel Vieyra, best of show car, 2018 Audi S3; Ron Guidry, Sponsor’s choice, 2005 Chevrolet Corvette C6; and Quan Nguyen, best in show, 2022 Lamborghini.

Due to the success of Sunday’s car show it will likely become an annual event, Horowitz said.

“I think that when we consider next year or the year after, make some decisions, we will have a much, much better idea who to contact, how to do it,” Horowitz said. “If today is any indicator [of the event’s size], we’ll get the proper space requirements, especially if we partner with Claremont Toyota in the future. And I think they would like to have that partnership continue for a few more years.”

Sponsors for Sunday’s event included Claremont CERT, Claremont Double Tree, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont Toyota, Claremont Lincoln University, Claremont Police Department, Coldwell Banker Town & Country, Gould Asset Management, Inter Valley Health Plan, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and Wheeler Steffen Sotheby’s.

Claremont Toyota provided the entertainment, an In-N-Out truck, which quickly sold out, and helped promote the car show.

As summer approaches, with more outside events around Claremont, residents will see CERT out and about including at the Fourth of July fireworks and summer concerts.

Registration for CERT training, which will begin September 12, is open to residents who are interested in joining the all-volunteer team. Training is free and includes seven classes which take place over three weeks. To enroll, contact Debbie Treviño at dtrevino@ci.claremont.ca.us.

For more information about Claremont CERT, call (909) 399-5411 or visit claremontcert.org.

“The goal of CERT is to go out and educate the community on disaster preparedness, with a focus on each household and each neighborhood within Claremont,” Horowitz said.