West Seattle Car Show at the end of the road unless ….

(WSB photo from 2018 West Seattle Car Show)

Another West Seattle summertime tradition is in danger of driving into the sunset.

The West Seattle Car Show needs new presenters – or else what was the 11th annual WSCS will have been its last.

If you’re interested in taking the wheel, it’s ready to go without much groundwork, promises Todd Ainsworth, who with Chris Christensen (they own Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks, both WSB sponsors) took over the show in 2014 after the sudden death of its founder, West Seattle Junction entrepreneur Michael Hoffman, who launched the WSCS in 2008. It quickly became a popular late-summer event. In 2015, the show moved to the campus of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), whose Automotive Technology program is the beneficiary of money raised by the show (admission has always been free, while participating car owners pay a nominal entry fee, and there’ve bee additional fundraising opportunities such as drawing tickets).

After five years, Todd says, for a variety of reasons, they have to hand it over to somebody new. “We’ve already got the date reserved at the school and whoever it is will basically receive a ‘car show in a box’ to work with,” he says – definitely a strong jump start. He adds that, “Ideally, it would be a local car club or other community-based group” but so far a quiet circulation of the availability hasn’t brought anyone forward so now they’re going wide.

POTENTIALLY INTERESTED? Contact Todd at 206-938-8685 or via email at wscarshow@gmail.com.

Swede. March 26, 2019 (11:36 am)

Hopefully someone jumps on this. Was nicer when it was up in the junction but by the school they have much more space and it’s a good opportunity to go check out the programs and what they do there. Like the wine tasting ;-)

West Seattle Hipster March 26, 2019 (11:39 am)

That would be very unfortunate to see our community event go away. I have attended a few and always enjoyed seeing people’s vehicles on display. It it would be great to see a local West Seattle business step up.

A. March 26, 2019 (2:06 pm)

I wonder if Griot’s Garage would be interested in taking this over. They have a huge presence in the car community and are locally based.

WSRob March 26, 2019 (3:11 pm)

I would think the School would take it over as an outreach of their programs… Then get the automotive, trade, etc. community to sponsor trophies or something. Bring in SDOT and Sound Transit leaders for the dunk tank. Get some City Council people in there and see if they can pay attention for twenty minutes. Make it a condition of graduation… I would like to see it back at the junction, but the hippies have won that day…

Swede. March 26, 2019 (8:46 pm)

That’s a good idea since there is plenty of people with management and organizing skills at the school. Could also be a part of a program to do the coming years marketing and setup. And trophy making is a cool and fun thing for machinists, welders and even graphic design with 3D printing etc.

Mike Wallat March 26, 2019 (3:26 pm)

I like SSCC but it was much better in the Junction and I am sure the local merchants would agree…

sbre March 26, 2019 (4:07 pm)

I too liked the Junction location better and believe is draws a bigger crowd there, however have no problem going to wherever it is held. Just too cool not to attend!!!(this coming from a guy who puts more miles on his bikes each year than his car!)

LyndaB March 26, 2019 (7:23 pm)

What about “The Shop” that’s in SODO? That’s a car club.

Swede. March 26, 2019 (8:44 pm)

‘The Shop’ is really just a parking spot for people that wasn’t rich enough to get enough parking for their ‘exotic’ third cars. But management of the place might be intrested and capable.
- My two cents ... March 27, 2019 (4:43 am)
  
  @Swede: Wow – condescension and sarcasm!More to The Shop than you have attempted to convey through your comment.
  - Swede. March 27, 2019 (12:46 pm)
    
    I’ve been there. Know people that have cars there. Been working on ‘enthusiast’ cars, racing etc. myself for decades and if you take a look at the cost of having a car there, its clearly not for middle class people.

Mj March 27, 2019 (10:35 am)

Having the event at the Junction is far better. It’s walking distance for many and the merchants benefit.

WSRob March 27, 2019 (11:18 am)

I honestly don’t see why the Farmers market and the WS Car Show couldn’t co-exist for 1 day. How does Safeway, QFC, Trader Joe’s and soon Whole Amazon Foods feel about a non taxpaying because no brick and mortar effectively store competing with their products? Maybe they have to pay a commiserate fee. Hmm. Co-exist…

Tom March 27, 2019 (4:28 pm)

If I was a West Seattle Merchant I would suggest to our great leaders of the dying Junction that they go take a look at the Greenwood car show and the tens of thousands of people that go there every year I’m sure those businesses thrive

Zak March 31, 2019 (12:53 am)

I’m currently a student and administrator for the University of Washington Car Club who would love to help! I’ve gone to the West Seattle Car Show a couple times in the past and I think it’s a great event for the neighborhood during the summer. I’ve lived on Alki all my life and have a heart for classic cars so i’d do anything to keep a tradition going.

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