The largest displays, of course, belonged to the Cobra replica builders, including Shell Valley and Factory Five Racing. Both had large layouts, Shell Valley's included a working cut-away of their roadster that revealed its inner working to the curious. Shell Valley is in the process of expansion, purchasing smaller kit manufacturers and adding them to the SVC stable. Midstates Classic Cars, a division of the SVC family, and its General Manager, Bob Kallio, was singled out by the AHA to receive their Good Manufacturing Practice Award-a coveted prize for any manufacturer.
Factory Five Racing, showing off its unique Cobra body delivery method with its semi truck and winch system, also had its usual large contingent of past FFR customers in attendance. (We wonder if other companies make the effort the FFR owners do in contacting each other to see if they'd be attending the shows. If they did, you be assured of increased car attendance as well as spectators).
But, even with Sunday's rain-out, which pushed the awards ceremony ahead a few hours, folks looked happy they were there. And even with the abbreviated schedule, there was still enough time to talk to sellers and manufacturers, as well as engine builders (such as Muscle Cars, USA) that were on-hand to get the creative juices flowing and the ideas flying around on how you should build your next kit.
Nearly every type of kit or replicar was represented at the show, from the aforementioned Porsches, Cobras, and Lambos to the rarer MGs, Fraziers, Devins, gullwing MBZs, and Neo-classic Auburns. But innovation could be found, too, with the debut of DDR's latest creation from the Domincan Republic, who had spent the previous few months perfecting their car for its American debut. (You'll see more of this car in KIT CAR soon). But if future forms aren't your style, then maybe a visit to the Brammo/Gardner Douglas USA booth would stoke your fire with their Lola-ish GD T70.
Though one fact about the Knott's show that it isn't as widely known as it should be is all the proceeds from this event go to charity, so the AHA should be applauded for their humanitarian efforts. And the awards, other than the special individual choice awards that are handed out via that person's personal choice, are all voted on by the participants, with no input from the club.
So, even without the perfect weather Southern California is famous for, the AHA was able to pull off another in a string of well-run kit shows, meanwhile promising to pay off the rain gods for next year and provide yet another excellent show.