Kelley Park '01

It was raining when I flew into the San Jose International airport the Friday before the Golden Gate Chapter of the Vintage VW Club of America's annual Vintage Meet and spring get-together at Kelley Park. I don't mean those pesky little drops that just seem to smear the bugs and road grime on your windshield. I mean it was raining, hard. I enjoyed the dinner that the fine folks at Volks Authority in San Jose put on for all of the enthusiasts, and the rain continued to come down in buckets. Not exactly what the event promoters wanted to see for the biggest Vintage VW weekend in Northern California. Saturday dawned nice and crisp, and more importantly, sunny. Now this was the springtime weather that NorCal is famous for. A local VW club, Wolfsburg Pacific, had organized a cruise through some very picturesque areas around San Jose and ended up at the Red Barn in Aromas, about 20 miles South of San Jose (see sidebar, Page 96). I had the good fortune of cruising with "Banzai KG" owner Jim Kikuchi. Man, when you have a Berg 1776 in a low slung car, you can really carve the corners ! The ride was incredible!

On Sunday, we kicked off the Kelley Park show. And, as always, it was a goodie. Kelley Park is a San Jose city park that is pretty much a re-creation of a town from a bygone era. With the combination of the antique town and the vintage cars, you couldn't ask for a better venue. The Golden Gate Chapter of the Vintage VW Club of America has had the show at this location for many years now. Despite the rumor that the show might have to be moved because of its growing popularity, the club manages to cram all of the people in every year and have one of the best Vintage VW shows on the West Coast.

The swap meet has always been a mainstay of the Kelley Park event, and this year was no exception. This year, because of the recent rain, the swap area was moved outside the actual park to an overflow parking area. It worked out well, as the swappers had plenty of room to display their wares and they didn't have to put them on the wet grass. The swap meet had all types and varieties of rare, unusual and trick parts for sale. This time I came home empty-handed, but there were a lot of folks that didn't.

Once again, VW Trends would like to commend Rick and Joy Spohn, and all the rest of the club, for all their hard work and dedication in making this show the premier event that it is. You just know, when people come from as far away as the East Coast, Wisconsin,and even Holland to attend this event, that it is going to be a success.

And, true to it's past, Kelley Park is one of those shows you don't want to miss. Point your web browser to www.ggcvvwca.org for information on next year's event. Next year, make plans to be there. It's just too good to miss; you'll definitely see me there.

Results

SPLIT WINDOW, 1953 & EARLIER:
1st Richard Katz 1952
2nd Mark Merrill 1952
3rd Larry MacKenzie 1949.

OVAL WINDOW, 1953-1957:
1st Adam Orozco 1955
2nd Gary Feikert 1957
3rd Tony Olmo 1956.

EARLY SQUARE WINDOW, 1958- 1967:
1st Steve Mann 1963
2nd Ctasiy DiGrazia 1958
3rd David Richardson 1962.

LATE SQUARE WINDOW, 1968-1976:
1st Scott Dees 1969
2nd Amy Cote 1974.

EARLY CONVERTIBLE, 1967 & EARLIER:
1st Pat Olmo 1962
2nd Mark Merrill 1950.

LATE CONVERTIBLE, 1968-1976:
1st Al Price 1971
2nd Marcia Chavez 1968.

EARLY KARMANN GHIA, 1967 & EARLIER:
1st Matthew Morillo 1959
2nd Eric Yuhasz 1958.

LATE KARMANN GHIA CONVERTIBLE, 1968-1976:
1st Robert Burton 1969
2nd Terry King 1969.

TYPE III& TYPE IV:
1st Lee Hedges 1962
2nd Jeff Reitmeir 1965
3rd Corey Stohs 1967.

LUXURY TYPE II, 1967 & EARLIER:
1st Tony & Terri Marcellino 1961
2nd Rick Clark 1953
3rd David Yost 1963.

WORKING CLASS TYPE II, 1967 & EARLIER:
1st Jason Cross 1959
2nd Ron Cambra 1959
3rd Mark Merrill 1966.

LUXURY TYPE II, 1976 & EARLIER:
1st Greg Catton 1971
2nd Aaron Elliot 1971.

THING, (TYPE 181):
1st Kelly Johnson 1973
2nd Gary Howell 1974.

TOY SHOW:
1st Greg Urritia--Ceramic Split Window
2nd Russell Miller--Bus Night light.

SPECIAL INTEREST:
Mark Merrill--Formula Vee Race car.

BEST OF SHOW:
Adam Orozco--1955 Sunroof Beetle.