Classic Car Show visitors will find Ken Harvey’s gorgeous 1970 911 S Porsche on the renamed Porsche Alley (usually Avenida de Orinda) along with a host of other carefully maintained and restored Porsches. And of course there will be classic cars from all eras and of many marques clustered at the north end of Orinda Way on Saturday, Sept. 12. Check out all the classic cars from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Orinda’s Classic Car Show is definitely about polished chrome and sleek machines – but it’s also about kids gawking, teenagers geeking out and generations bonding over four wheels.
On Sept. 12, more than 150 classic and specialty cars will roll into town, with the iconic German sports car, Porsche, as the featured marque. But it’s also a celebration where the engines are cool, the stories are even better and the community is the real star.
“For me, the show is about more than just the cars; it’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community and share the passion that makes these vehicles so meaningful,” said Cindy Grant, a member of the Orinda Classic Car Show committee and longtime exhibitor.
The 22nd annual Orinda Classic Car Show will feature over 150 classic and modern specialty vehicles, live music and food. And the free-to-attend event will mark Scott Honeychurch’s first year as Car Show chair.
“I’m super excited to bring even more people and cars out for the show this year,” said Honeychurch.
This year’s Porsche special exhibit will trace the German legacy’s evolution.
Parked in chronological order, Honeychurch aims to feature everything from the 365 Roadster in 1948 through the RAD era to modern times. Fittingly, Porsche Walnut Creek will sponsor the show.
Despite attracting exhibitors and visitors from across the Bay Area, the show retains a small town feel. It starts with the show’s purpose: raising money for The Orinda Association, which administers several programs exclusively benefiting the Orinda Community. These programs include Seniors Around Town (SAT), which provides year-round free transporation for Orinda seniors and The Orinda News, which focuses on Orinda events and stories. So even though the event is free, The Orinda Association will encourage visitors to make a donation when they arrive.
The local feel is evident, as most sponsors and vendors will be local to Orinda, like Ben Zarrin’s CreekHaus, which will run a beer tent, and Ken Harvey from Ken Harvey Autogroup, who is raising his family in Orinda.
Exhibitor Richard Bhamb has witnessed that community spirit firsthand. A lifelong car enthusiast, Bhamb has attended the show every year since discovering it and has displayed his Porsche 911 GT3 and Mitsubishi Evolution.
“Thousands of people show up,” Bhamb said. “There’s everyone from tiny little kids whose parents are showing cars for the first time to, to teenagers, to people who are deep in their 70s and 80s talking about how their car is a family heirloom.”
One interaction from a previous show has stuck with Bhamb. While displaying his Mitsubishi Evolution, a group of high school boys recognized the car and rushed over.
“I heard them yell, ‘Oh my God! Is that an Evo?’ They literally came running down the road to take photos of it and interview me about it,” Bhamb said. “It just transcends generations, which is fun.”
Grant plans to return this year with her 1979 Porsche 911 SC Targa and possibly her 1970 Norton Commando Fastback motorcycle. She said the show’s fun, relaxed atmosphere and interesting cars set it apart.
“One of the most rewarding parts is letting kids sit in the Porsche and seeing their faces light up,” Grant said. “I love the idea of inspiring the next generation of car enthusiasts and helping them appreciate the history, craftsmanship and stories that make classic vehicles so special.”
The show dates back to 2004, when Orinda resident Chip Herman and Orinda Motors’ John Vanek organized an informal gathering of about 25 cars with friends. In 2019, The Orinda Association took over producing the show, continuing the partnership with Orinda Motors and the volunteers, committee members and car owners who make the event possible.
In many ways, Orinda Motors remains the focal point, as the entrance to the show is at the corner of Camino Sobrante and Orinda Way. And in the parking lot behind Orinda Motors, visitors will find a collection of classic muscle cars – and food and beverages. (Note there is no pedestrian access from the intersection of Camino Pablo and Orinda Way.)
The Porsches will line the left side of Orinda Way up to Avenida de Orinda, which will be renamed Porsche Alley for the day. Look for more than 40 Porsches lining both sides of that street, though of course there will be classic cars from all eras all along Orinda Way.
Parking can be tricky, since the Farmers’ Market is also happening Sept. 12; come early to find a spot. Your car will be towed if you park in the Safeway lot.
Regardless, thousands of people will find their way to the 22nd annual Classic Car Show, and they will find cars to drool over and friends to talk to.
“It’s a classic, wonderful, suburban community event,” Bhamb said.