Tons of Fun

The event is called "Fun Under the Sun," but the 24th Annual Association of Handcrafted Automobiles kit car show at Knott's Berry Farm, in Buena Park, California, didn't need sunshine to warm all the presenters and visitors. It is one HOT and friendly event.

With nearly 220 cars on display, even the threat of rain couldn't keep the 12,000 visitors away from the awesome cars and hobbyists who graced the stage at this popular theme park.

Some 30 manufacturers showed off their cars, along with about 190 privately built and owned monuments to the kit and component car hobby.

Those who dodged the bullet of predicted rain saw about 65 Cobras but were also treated to a half-dozen new, original designs, as well as a plethora of Lamborghinis, GT40s, Porsche Spyders, MGs, Mantas, Neo-classics, and kit rods. It was a cornucopia of car design.

I was impressed with the effort of out-of-country cars, as manufacturers based in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada shipped cars to the show and, in some cases, upstaged the homegrown US contingent.

I was equally impressed by the new designs that debuted at the show, including the exciting and sensual Spyder GT, created by John Clark for Factory Five Racing. That car was judged KIT CAR Magazine's Editor's Choice for Car of the Show for its innovative and new-classic look. Also new on the design scene were legendary dune buggy designer Bruce Meyers' Manxter, Louisell's Firebird-based Banshee, Top Gun's Toyota-based Pit Bull, Diamond Motors' LS1 Mazda rebody, and the New Zealand-headquartered F-40 Motorsport's S40 Silhouette.

Among the award-winners at the show were Best of Show, Rich Anderson's teal Shell Valley Cobra; Spectator's Choice, Allen Motors' red MG-TC; Ladies' Choice, Rae Savell's white Marlene; Best Paint, Tim Bontis' purple Shell Valley Cobra; Best Engine, Jason Young's Porsche Spyder; Best Interior, Anko Hsaio's yellow IFG Lamborghini Diablo; Special Care Award, Wayne McAllister's Monster Miata; Most Unique, Gary O'Conner's Woodster; President's Choice, Henry Caroselli's black-and-red Rodster Delivery; Vice President's Choice, Kenny Graves' '34 red with yellow flames Ford Roadster; Secretary's Choice, Richard Marlow's red Ultima; Treasurer's Choice, Tom Edwards' black Scorpion Z-car; Activity Director's Choice, Bruce Meyers' red Manxster; Newsletter Editor's Choice, Mike Bennett's maroon Manta; Membership Director's Choice, Diamond Industries' green Miata of James Tankersley; Past President's Choice, Bill Deneff's yellow Devon Roadster; and the Best Manufacturer's Practice Award this year went to Rich Anderson, of the Shell Valley Companies.

AHA awards are given in 30 classes to the three top cars or individuals in each class. Some of those top choices included: Ken Curtiss' MG, Steve Stuhlsatz' Lotus 7, Ed Shipp's Regal T-Bird, Herschel Byrd's Roaring '40s G40, Rae Savell's Marlene, Dale Bates' Porsche Speedster, J.C. Hamlin's Shelby Custom Exotics' Lamborghini Diablo, Mike Dresbach's Dino, J.C. Hamlin's F-50, Gary O'Conner's Woodster, Lynn Christy's VW Dune Buggy, Kenny Graves' '34 Ford Roadster, David Bendix's Unique 289 Cobra replica, Jack Hammond's Factory Five Cobra replica, Dave Martin's NAF Cobra, Bill Deneff's Devin Roadster, Vern Hance's Mercedes 500K, Dave Childress' Dragon Motor Cars Ruby Red Dragon, Richard Marlow's Ultima Motor Cars Ultima, Bob Kersky's JPS Motor Sports Porsche Speedster, Luis Yonez's Wild Rides Lamborghini Diablo, Steve Cox's F-40 Motorsport S40 Silhouette, Rich Anderson's Shell Valley Cobra, Rich Anderson's Shell Valley Cheetah, Marty Jakalot's Pisa Jalapeno, and Rich Anderson's Shell Valley Model-A Ford Highboy.

The '04 event, the Quarter-Century Show, will be bigger and better than ever. With tentative dates set for April 24-25, it should be as exciting as this year's event. For more information, contact Ron Biggerstaff, Association of Handcrafted Automobiles (AHA), 26544 Tannager Court, Dept. KC, Loma Linda, CA 92354, (909) 796-9946, www.replicarclub.com. KC

Presented by KIT CAR Editor Mike Blake to deserving, outstanding cars and builders, who display their automotive excellence at the AHA Knott's Berry Farm Show.

2003: John Clark, engineer and designer of the original-design Factory Five Spyder GT.

2002: Gary and Terry O'Connors' '23 Track-T Roadster made out of the wooden slats of Gary's fence.

2001: Scott Allen's Mullen M-11 original-design sports car.

2000: Bill Cahill's '39 Morgan, made out of the wooden skins from his house doors.

1999: Rick Hansen's Master Street Rods '39 Studebaker Coupe Express truck.