FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chino Hills, CA, June 26, 2012: The Fifth Annual Friends of Steve McQueen Car Show arrived on June 2, 2012 with a low moan and a roar like thunder. The display ran the gamut from American V8 with a sea of green, heavy-metal Mustangs to a history of racing exploits from Sebring to the Targa Florio and everything in between. And there was Chad McQueen sitting in a Gulf Porsche 917, a car made famous by his father.
“This event just gets bigger and better every year.”
It was a comment heard over and over and somewhere The King of Cool and Boys Republic alumnus’ blue eyes were smiling. Based each year on a McQueen movie theme, all proceeds from the event benefit the Boys Republic of Chino Hills. This year, hats were tipped in honor of the Peter Yates film, “Bullitt” and fans of the film, the chase scene, and Frank Bullitt’s Highland Green Mustang, turned out in support of McQueen’s former alma mater.
With more than 300 cars on display and approximately 3,200 attendees enjoying the grounds and the show, net proceeds hover at $170,000. The involvement of the beneficiaries of those dollars, the boys of the Boys Republic, played an integral role in the success of the event, beginning with the Friday night dinner where 31 proudly jacketed young men served the 496 al fresco diners in exceptional fashion. The evening festivities featured a program MC’d by automotive journalist, editor and Speed TV commentator, Matt Stone, a silent auction, wine tasting, memorabilia on display and a very successful live auction.
The boys’ participation was evident in every aspect of the show, including campus preparation, traffic control, setup/takedown, car washing and detailing, food preparation, running the ROP Landscaping and BBQ corn/watermelon booth, food service at their own Enrico’s café and participation in the judging of cars on display.
Saturday’s car show, with its emphasis on Bullit Mustangs, lived up to the hype as a field of 60 Mustangs, including “Highland Green” examples, from originals to recreations, converged. Arriving from as far away as Toronto, Canada, members of the Bullitt club and 24 cars culminated a Route 66 drive from Chicago to proudly display at the Boys Republic event. The car world was well represented beyond Pony Muscle Cars, however, with one of the highlights being the 1969 Gulf 917K Porsche, recipient of multiple awards including the McQueen Family Award and Boys Republic Boy’s Pick. Each distinctive trophy was handmade by Boys Republic students.
Next year’s event, The Sixth Annual Friends of Steve McQueen Car Show, will salute The Great Escape and one of the King of Cool’s most famous characters, Hilts, “The Cooler King”. To quote one of his lines, “Something’s coming, I can feel it and it’s coming right around the corner at me”. Mark your calendar with the date of Saturday, Jun 1, 2013 at the Boys Republic and make plans for a great escape.
Results:
Best Hot Rod 1937 Ford – Eddie and Moo Dyke
Best Model A or T 1931 Ford Model A Coupe – Ed Tolman
Best 356 Cabriolet (convertible) 1962 Porsche Roadster – Paul Colony
Best 356 Coupe 1964 Porsche 356 – Michael Elliott
Best 356 Outlaw 1957 Porsche 356 - Ron Harris
Best American Street Car 2006 Roush Mustang – Mario Del Rosario
Best European Street Car 1977 Maserati Merak SS – Matt Stone
Best Overall Classic Car 1956 VW Beetle (Right-hand drive) – Eric Jones
Best Paint of Show 1964 Chevrolet Malibu SS – John Petti
Best Race Car (LeMans) 1969 Porsche 917K/#02 – Bruce Canepa/Kerry Morse
Best Special Interest Car 1974 Porsche 914-6 GT (clone) – Martin Schneider
Best Truck (Getaway) 1957 Chevrolet Cameo – Larry Hursch
Best Motorcycle (Great Escape) 1926 Scott Squirrel – Brad Boyle
Best Dirt Bike Z50 Monkey – Bill McKay
Boys Republic Boy’s Pick – Car 1969 Porsche 917K/#02 – Bruce Canepa/Kerry Morse
Boy’s Republic Pick - Motorcycle Z50 Monkey – Bill McKay
Judges Pick Car to Drive Home 1969 Porsche 917K – Canepa/Morse
Best of Show Judges Pick (Cool Style Perpetual Trophy) 2007 Ford Mustang Prototype – HoonDog Events/IMBOC
McQueen Family Award 1969 Porsche 917K – Canepa/Morse