Developer Mike Harrah’s Batmobile is just one of the collectable cars to be shown at the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce’s annual Coastline Car Classic this Sunday.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Big Corona state beach parking lot.
The show, which features vintage and other unique cars, is a favorite for many of Orange County’s auto collectors, including a number of business bigwigs. Auto dealers will make their mark at the show as well.
Bentley Newport Beach, part of Newport Auto Center, is the presenting sponsor. Bentley will display about 12 cars on its own grassy island at the show.
Tim Tauber, general manager for Newport Auto Center, says his dealership is sponsoring the event to support the community. He’ll also get to mingle with his customers.
“It’s a very nice affair,” Tauber said.
Newport Auto Center sells Bentleys, Audis and Porsches.
The event’s proceeds will benefit the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, based in Irvine.
Harrah bought his 1987 Chevrolet Caprice Batmobile,the only street-legal Batmobile replica of the one used in the 1989 “Batman” movie,at a Russo and Steele auction in Monterey in August. It’s fully operational, flashing lights and all.
Harrah, an avid collector of cars and other motorized vehicles, is also showing his 1929 Packard 645 convertible sedan, which was originally built for a president of Mexico.
Harrah’s OC Pavilion Performing Arts Theatre, a performance center and home of Ambrosia restaurant, is a sponsor of the event.
Also showing at the Coastline show: Radio man Art Astor, who recently auctioned much,but not all,of his auto collection, and Robert Escalante, owner of Packard restoration shop Custom Auto Service in Santa Ana.
Astor still has about 80 autos on display at his Astor Classics Event Center and Living Automotive and Communication Museum in Anaheim.
Lawrence Rittenhouse of Newport Beach is showing a red 1911 Stoddard-Dayton, a touring car. Edward Gehringer of San Clemente is showing his 4.5-liter green 1928 Bentley.
Congressman John Campbell will be showing off his 1964 Ford Thunderbird painted Rangoon Red.
About 170 autos will be shown and judged in 14 different classes, such as antique, vintage and prewar American, said Linda Leonhard, president of the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the show. Coastline is expected to draw 3,500 people.
Newport Beach’s Grand Prix Performance, which customizes cars for dealers, also will be at the show.
Mike Vietro of Corvette Mike’s of Anaheim, is expected to show a car, according to Leonhard.
New this year is a road rally on Saturday, the day before the show opens to the public. The rally will kick off at Big Corona beach at 9 a.m. and drivers will cruise to Cook’s Corner biker bar in Trabuco Canyon for a photo and finish at Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club in Corona del Mar for lunch. About 30 drivers are expected to be in the rally.
The event will be hosted by KABC-TV auto reporter Dave Kunz and KPFK radio host Art Gould.
Now That’s a Yacht
Crow’s Nest Yachts, based in Newport Beach, recently sold a $10.7 million 127-foot Crescent yacht.
Salesman Dennis Riehl brokered the deal. Riehl said he had been working with the client for nearly a year.
The 2001 yacht was made by Crescent, a western Canadian yacht builder.
Some of the features include four private cabins for guests and an owner’s suite, a circular stairway that leads to a lounge, a wet bar and a barbecue.
In today’s economy, the cost to build a yacht like this one is tagged at $21 million, according to Crow’s Nest.
Bits and Pieces
OCs auto dealers will hold an annual charity event Oct. 1. The event offers the first look at the auto show that begins the next day. Proceeds will benefit Children’s Hospital of Orange County American Apparel is opening a stand-alone store that is walking distance to The Lab and The Camp in Costa Mesa. The Los Angeles chain has two other stores in OC, one in Santa Ana and the other in Huntington Beach.
