Past Events

The July issue of Driven World detailed the nonprofit, all volunteer, Solvang Wheel’s ‘N Windmills car show’s history and how it supports the local community with generous donations to various charities. Now that the August 2018 show is behind us, let’s focus specifically on this past event and why Dustin Troyan, Driven World magazine Executive Editor, and his family can’t wait to return next year. We will also share with readers a few automotive exhibitors those fine octane-thirsty machines made this writer stop in his tracks while walking the show. But first some show specifics.

For those familiar with the Velocity Channel, it’s not uncommon each year to spot a face from the auto world that you recognize at this event. This year was no different as Dennis Gage, with his famous handlebar mustache, came all the way out from Indiana to tape his show, My Classic Car. Gage disclosed he expects the Solvang episode should air early next year. Be sure to tune in and get a taste of this incredible annual motorsports event.

The Saturday 8 AM to 4 PM show was free to attend and open to the public. Wheels ‘N Windmills is growing their motorcycle section which include stock, classics, customs and those with sidecars. There were 310 stunning cars on display covering several Solvang streets that were closed to normal traffic. Although you’ll find a variety of countries representing the vehicle manufacturers on display, perhaps 95% are dedicated to the American variety. For those of you who have never attended, the show’s website reveals the high quality and types of vehicles displayed year over year.

For all vehicles that were on display this day, there were over 50 awards handed out! This is due to a lengthy number of sub-categories that had to be created to cover the wide variety of vehicles in attendance. There are 3 main categories, Stock, Modified and Special Interest. Each of those having multiple sub-categories, such as ‘55-‘57 Chevy’s, Hot Rod Coupe ’33-’48 and Pro-Street, to name a few. In a very organized fashion, awards are presented to car owners at about 3 PM to a large crowd assembled in a relaxing park atmosphere, all hoping to hear their vehicle and name called out.

The show organizers often talk about the charities as this has always been one of the main purposes of holding the events. This year’s show raised over $35,000.00 bringing the total to over $330,000.00 since its start in Solvang 14 years ago. Wheels

‘N Windmills also holds a raffle open to attendees and exhibitors with the opportunity to go home with a brand new V8 engine. Monies collected from this raffle go to area high school Auto Shop Programs.

Don and Barbara Wagner from Clovis CA arrived in their striking yellow 1965 Chevy Chevelle Custom. Acquired 15 years ago, the Wagner’s take this beast to many shows, but it also finds itself at the Famoso Raceway track near Bakersfield. The Wagner’s found this vehicle in Centerville CA and was followed by a 4-year major restoration in the home garage. The custom airbrushed design on each side is beautifully painted and easily turns heads. Under (and through) the hood is a 468ci V8 RAT (454ci bored out to 468ci) pushing out 620hp. There is also a NOS (Nitrous Oxide System) which Wagner is now finishing up on the final installation. Once completed, the power will increase to 745hp whenever NOS is applied. Frightening!

For the stock category, Jay and Betsy Davenport from Alhambra drove in with their mint condition Laredo Tan 1961 “6-Window” Cadillac Sedan DeVille. They found this car 16 years ago at a Pasadena Ed & Al’s Auto Sound parking lot with a 4-sale sign in the window and 40,000 miles on the odometer. The engine ran rough, but the body had no evidence of rust, so they took the risk and made the purchase. What originally was going to be a quick restoration in the Davenport garage, he and his buddy spent the next 10 years meticulously replacing with Cadillac certified parts, including all rubber down to hex bolts being removed and gold cadmium plated. This vehicle has the original 390ci V8 power plant and offers 325hp. Today the Davenport’s drive this vehicle just about everywhere including long road trips to Ohio and Oregon. On a last note, they were very fortunate to find and obtain a copy of the window sticker which shows the total sale amount of $6,567.93. Think about it. That was a huge amount of money for an American car in 1961 when the average home cost was about $13,000!

In the Special Interest category is Stuart Hanssen from Santa Ynez. Hanssen brought his 1951 Baldwin Roadster race car. There is a heartfelt story with this vehicle. Built by Willis Baldwin of Santa Barbara, the race car was purchased and track raced by Hanssen’s father, William, from 1954 through 1957. During what turned out to be its last race in Pebble Beach, William saw his good friend Ernie McAfee, also in this same race driving his Ferrari, had crashed into a tree and was killed immediately. It was at this point that William decided to hang up racing and sold the Baldwin in 1959. The roadster had disappeared for decades. Fast forward to 2010. Using the powers of the internet, Hanssen used ‘Tam’s Old Race Car Site’ (www.tamsoldraccecarsite.net) and placed an ad that he was seeking the family’s previously owned Baldwin Roadster. The owner at the time, living in Connecticut, saw the ad and contacted Hanssen. Weakened by Hanssen’s story, he was willing to sell it back to the family roots. Hanssen brought it back to California and personally restored it. Having an all- aluminum body with a Ford chassis, its powered by a 282ci Mercury V8 Flathead block with upgraded Ardun heads and rated at 315hp. This classic racer has a weight of only 2,100 lbs.

The show organizers offer something special for those exhibiting their wheels at Wheel’s ‘N Windmills and arrive a day early.

For a modest fee, a private BBQ dinner is served and adult beverages are available at the Mendenhall Museum, located nearby in Buellton. The Mendenhall Museum (www. mendenhallmuseum.com) is one of the largest private collections in the west coast exhibiting antique gasoline pumps, road signs, race cars, racing memorabilia, license plates, gas & oil items, and other miscellaneous antiques. Besides having a terrific dinner, it was an experience to walk through such an amazing collection of automotive related memorabilia. When you register your vehicle for the show, you’ll receive an RSVP to this pre-show evening event.

The 15th annual Wheels ‘N Windmills is scheduled for Saturday August 24th, 2019 and will be once again held on the streets of Solvang’s Town Center. Due to high demand and limited capacity, they often sell out exhibitor spots within 48 hours of open registration which is usually in early June. Use their website for updated registration information. Interested Sponsors should contact the organizers in March 2019. 100% of all revenues go to charity so all Sponsorship fees are fully tax deductible. For those who are interested in becoming a show sponsor and/or to display your vehicle or motorcycle, please visit www.wheelsnwindmills.com.

We hope to see some of the Supercar Sunday regulars there in 2019. I know ‘the guy in the orange hat’ will surely be there again.