Perfect January weather greeted more than 50 car buffs and their vehicles at Palm Spring’s traditional first-of-the-year display event, the Imperial Club BBQ held Jan. 11 at the Valdivia Car Complex. LCOC joined with members of the Southern California Imperial Owners, Inc., Great Autos and other local owners to usher in the new year and another great car show season.
Vehicles spanned nearly 100 years of the automobile and all price ranges from JIm Ayres’ new Maverick truck to a Bentley coupe to a 1929 Ford Model A woodie, with many mid-century classics in between.
The elegant ’60s Imperials with their impressive length and style stood near other more modest collectables such as a rear-engined Corvair, Simca and a ’48 Chrysler from the era.
Buicks, Oldsmobiles and Cadillacs dotted the landscape along with a contingent of Lincolns ranging from a 1956 coupe to a 1972 Mark IV, and a Town Car, with Bryan Burns hauling many of the event supplies in his Lincoln Aviator, while also displaying his ’66 Imperial.
Some of the garage owners from the Valdivia Complex opened their doors to reveal much more eye candy within, including beautiful Ferraris, Mustangs, Buicks, Pontiacs, and even a Rolls-Royce.
And what BBQ would be complete without its chow? Early arrivals were greeted with a variety of coffees plus donuts and the luncheon was the traditional hamburgers—some with cheese—baked beans, macaroni and cheese, salad, fruit, drinks and a selection of yummy and gooey cookies.
Few things can beat the combination of shirt-sleeve weather in January, good food, tire kicking and socializing offered at the Imperial Club BBQ. We sincerely thank Bryan and co-host Stu Suede and the Valdivia garage owners for their hospitality.
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