Three LCOC members and their vintage Lincolns recalled the days of “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Jailhouse Rock” as the 23rd annual Elvis Festival returned to downtown Garden Grove on Oct. 8. Our own Elayne Bendel, Stephen Fredrick and Daryl Pelc were part of the show.
Their cars joined about 2 dozen memorable vehicles, Elvis impersonators, entertainers, businesses and and hundreds of spectators celebrating the Elvis Presley pop era, which extended from the mid 1950’s to Elvis’ death in 1977.
Of course, love of all things Elvis did not end there. His music, movies and aura still resonate with fans a half century later.
A pink 1956 Cadillac is perhaps the quintessential Elvis-era vehicle. Who doesn’t love its flashy lines, fuzzy dice and brocade interior?
An amazing 1958 Cadillac Eldorado convertible boasting more bling than Elvis himself at a Vegas show took top honors in the car show as the owner gleefully offered inside photo ops to admiring spectators. Seeing this over the top mid-century classic makes one incredulous that such excess actually existed!
Elvis impersonators are living proof that his legacy is alive and well. Nor are they limited only to men.
Elvis was an avid car collector and owned numerous vehicles including Cadillacs, Lincolns and Thunderbirds, which are as beloved today as they were in his own time. Collectors throughout the southern California region gathered in their own tribute to the “King of Rock ‘n Roll.” Our sincere thanks to Robert Dean and the show sponsors Coastline Community College and Steri-Clean structural restoration service for their hard work in organizing the car show.
Speciality vehicles included a 1970 Cadillac ambulance, a customized LaSalle and a 1926 Dodge hearse!
All-day entertainment by musical groups under a large open tent kept spectators in the Elvis nostalgia mood. Even the nearby Azteca Mexican Restaurant was part of the fun, with Elvis memorabilia scattered through the premises. Who wouldn’t enjoy a taco under an Elvis poster?
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