PHOTOS/VIDEO: West Seattle Car Show test-drives South Seattle College

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(UPDATED SUNDAY NIGHT with video/info from post-show awards – scroll down)

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
11:33 AM: That ’57 BMW Isetta is one of the more unusual cars you’ll see today at the eighth annual West Seattle Car Show, rebooted to a brand-new location in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor). The cars span the decades – going back even further, here’s a 1947 Buick Super 8 convertible:

A 1972 Cadillac Eldorado:

Trophies will be announced and awarded at 3 pm – and if you come to the show by 2:30 pm, you can vote on the People’s Choice award:

Along with the cars, you’ll see trucks, bicycles, and this mini-hydroplane showing off a 1959 Mercury Mark motor:

The West Seattle-based Nibbles food truck is here with its “Southwest fusion” flavors:

(So far, the mini-donut truck is a no-show.) You’ll find beverages inside the Northwest Wine Academy – including some of their award-winning wines:

While the fog and clouds are starting to lift, it’s also a great day for hot beverages, and you’ll find coffee there too. Again this year, Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks (both WSB sponsors) organized the show. Come say hi – our booth is next to their table on the east side of the show, where you can buy a raffle ticket that will benefit the SSC Automotive Tech program as do proceeds from the registration fees. A DJ’s playing hits old and new, and the clouds are starting to lift – we see the sun starting to break through to the south. More to come!

1:02 PM: Yes, the sun did break through, and we’re seeing a couple spots of blue sky. A hula-hooping competition’s happening right now:

A video posted by West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) on Sep 13, 2015 at 1:00pm PDT

At 2 pm, a live band is going to play – the Disco Cowboys. More of the vehicles that are here:

That’s a 1967 bike with a 1960 sidecar. Here’s a 1963 Comet:

Don’t miss the interiors. This 1967 Pontiac GTO is particularly showy:

1:30 PM: One more hour to vote for the People’s Choice, an hour and a half until the awards – now that the Seahawks game is over, you have time to get here and see setups like this 1974 VW van and its accessories:

Someone who just stopped by the booth to say hi described the turnout as an “eclectic mix.”

That’s a 1957 Plymouth and its mini-counterpart. And we have the first full-on sunbreak of the day!

Sunbreak! West Seattle Car Show continues until 3 pm. pic.twitter.com/iI5SSxztuf

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 13, 2015

While you’re here wander over to the SSC Automotive areas on the southwest side of the lot – where you’ll see these trucks:

And you’ll find the occasional backstory like this one!

1:58 PM: Lots of spectators in Seahawks jerseys showing up now. Come on down – still time to see it all.

We’ll have coverage of the awards a bit later – but first, we have to do a little reconnoitering to get downtown for the Seattle Public Schools strike briefing at 3, but half the team will be back here at the show shortly.
ADDED: From the final hour, a bit of Disco Cowboys video:

A video posted by West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) on Sep 13, 2015 at 2:30pm PDT

They had an attentive fan up on his feet and dancing for just about the entire set:

Winners and a few more show scenes still to come.

ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: First, the awards ceremony – the announcer was Todd Ainsworth from co-presenting West Seattle Autoworks (which is about to celebrate its 5th anniversary!), still in his outfit from the Disco Cowboys performance:

The list, transcribed from our video:

Best in Show and Best Muscle Car – 1971 Plymouth Road Runner Super Bird
People’s Choice – 1957 BMW Isetta (the little blue car shown at the top of this story)
Green Car/alternative fuel – Ford C-Max
Best Custom (5 or more modifications) – 1955 Chevy
Best Motorcycle (and the only motorcycle at the show) the 1971 Norton w/ sidecar
Best Import – 1955 MG
Best Modern Car (1990 or newer) – 2008 Corvette
Best Classic (1965-1989) 1968 Olds Cutlass
Best Pre-Antique (1964 or older) 1957 Caddy

A few more photos to come!

miws September 13, 2015 (3:56 pm)

I meant to grab a pic of that Isetta once I finally got my camera out, but forgot!

Mike

Gary September 13, 2015 (4:13 pm)

I was there around 11:30 am and I was very disappointed that there were so few cars,about 80? I did the passing out of flyers for this show again this year and did shows in King,Pierce,and Shohomish counties passing out 1500+ flyers for this show and then to see very few cars showing up was as I said disappointing.And the weather screwed things up as usual.I think the college location did have a negative site going for it as many people told me that when I was talking to them while at other shows passing out flyers.Next year’s show must be done a different way and I have told the sponsors that in e-mails sent.I want this show to grow and be larger as it has the potential do to so.Last years show was really good but then it was at the Junction.

WSB September 13, 2015 (4:45 pm)

Gary – Definitely what the sports world calls “a rebuilding year.” Even though the # of cars was down from years past, still a lot to see and do (and some surprises we hadn’t even heard of, including the Disco Cowboys and the hula-hooping). The weather seems to alternate years with sun/not-as-much-sun and I’ve heard that, understandably, some collectors don’t want to take their much-cared-for vehicles in iffy weather. Spectators started picking up even before the Seahawks’ OT game ended. Thanks for your promotion help! So much volunteer work involved. – TR

Sean September 13, 2015 (5:14 pm)

Great pics!

O Little September 13, 2015 (7:51 pm)

I’m so glad the show goes on! Nice work everybody!

West Seattle Hipster September 13, 2015 (8:45 pm)

Great pictures, sorry I couldn’t attend.

Randall September 13, 2015 (9:00 pm)

I have to say that I really enjoyed the new location. We liked looking at the cars without the distractions of the Junction, and I thought the Disco Cowboys was an underrated treat. If we’d missed the event and someone later told me I’d missed a band doing a “Folsom County Blues” and “Macho Man” medley, I’d have been pretty disappointed.

Here’s to seeing some progress with the event. I think it could really blossom in that space.

Randall September 13, 2015 (9:01 pm)

Might add that the zucchini cars my sons brought from the farmers market seemed to catch a lot of eyes. We were asked several times where we got them. Perhaps organizers might consider adding such a great thematic kids activity.

'57 special September 13, 2015 (9:49 pm)

I had a great time at the show in its new location, and I especially enjoyed the perfect “music to watch cars by”. I was a bit confused where the actual car show stopped and general parking took over. Kudos to those who had information about their classics – who knew that a “Saleman’s sedan” didn’t have need for a back seat?
Thank you to all who made it possible.

WSB September 13, 2015 (9:54 pm)

’57 Sp – the parking did get a little freeform as the day went on. It’s a huge lot!

Jim September 13, 2015 (11:10 pm)

Honestly I enjoyed going up to the college. Our “Junction” is a great treasure, but I found the openness of the SSC campus parking lot to be very relaxing, and I was able to enjoy the cars without the distractions and crowd and lack of parking that the junction presents. With the wine (and beer) academy and the food truck, the music, a walk in the Arboretum afterwards, a very nice afternoon! I think the site has great potential.

Elizh September 14, 2015 (12:40 am)

There is an Isetta in Funny Face with Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn which was coincidentally on TV tonight!

Julia September 14, 2015 (8:26 am)

I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get there in time, especially after seeing these pictures of all the variety, plus music. I hope it happens again next year.

miws September 14, 2015 (11:06 am)

Oh, and it needs to be said; huge thanks to Swedish Automotive, West Seattle Autoworks, WSB, South Seattle College, and all other Sponsors, for keeping this great event going.

Although I’ve always liked the “atmosphere”, of a car show being in street in a business district; this show in the past, the Greenwood Car Show, and others, a large parking lot, with other attractions nearby is great too.

Even though the turnout of cars may have been disappointing, possibly due to a few different factors; uncertainty of the weather, new location, and a Seahawks Game, I hope the show will continue well into the future.

Maybe we could petition for a sanction on the NFL to prohibit them scheduling Seahawks Games on the Sunday closest to the 15th of September. Let that be a bye week. ;-)

Mike

KJ September 17, 2015 (6:50 am)

I was skeptical about the Car Show moving to the college parking lot, for all the reasons listed above about the energy and vibe in the junction, but have to say I was pleasantly surprised how much more relaxing it was to stroll and really be able to see the cars, the food truck, the band, some of the sponsor tables, etc. Funny, I noticed the kid with the zucchini walking around also, maybe a good idea to have a kid activity…hmm…maybe you could partner with West Seattle Produce guy.

Overall, great job, and thank you for keeping it going!!!

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