Orange Avenue will be taken over by novelty cars and enthusiasts alike on April 28 as MotorCars on MainStreet prepares to celebrate its 35th annual show.
The prestigious car show will display over 400 restored antiques, classics, rods, customs and trucks. This year’s event will highlight lowriders, exotics and electric vehicles through special exhibits.
Lowrider exhibit honors binational roots
The lowrider display holds a special role this year as it will contribute to the World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024, a program that showcases the design achievements of the San Diego Tijuana region at the San Diego Central Library in April and May and then at Friendship Park in Tijuana in July and August. The San Diego/Tijuana program holds the title of the first binational design capital in history.
Characterized by their shiny rims, whitewall tires, candy coat paint and hydraulics that allow the vehicles to bounce and go three-wheeling, lowriders became widely popularized in the 1940s and 50s in Southern California and across the border. The San Diego United Lowrider Coalition will be showcasing around 30-35 cars at the event.
Fast Lane Drive will be contributing to this year’s exhibits as well with their 2023-2024 exotics, including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Bugattis and more. Unique to this year, MotorCars on MainStreet will be adding a family-friendly attraction with comic-style cars, such as the vehicles from Batman and Green Goblin.
Showcase is open for registration
Anyone with a car manufactured in 1975 or older is welcome to register their vehicle to be showcased in the event. Registration costs $50 if done before April 20 and includes a free t-shirt, raffle tickets and dash plaque. Cars can also be registered on-site on the day of the event between 7-10 a.m. for $60. Around 10,000-14,000 spectators are expected to attend from all over Southern California.
All while taking in the display of vehicles, attendees can enjoy live music from Tommy Price and the Stilettos who are coming all the way from Arizona to perform.
There will also be 100 prizes given out throughout the day from raffle drawings, including a 1-2 night stay at one of Coronado’s iconic hotels – the Hotel del Coronado, Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa, Loews Coronado Bay Resort and the Glorietta Bay Inn, as well as a chance to win a bike from Holland’s Bicycles or gift cards to a local restaurant.
Event hosted for benefit of the community
Hosted by community non-profit Coronado MainStreet, the showcase will be supporting the economic vitality of the island. While the event is free for spectators, proceeds from the registration fees will go toward the multitude of events Coronado MainStreet puts on throughout the year, such as Sip n’ Shop and the End of Summer SideWalk Sale.
“Everything we do is to create events that attract people and maintain Coronado,” said Karla Robles-Puig, director of Coronado MainStreet. “Coronado is beautiful, attractive, unique and we want people to have a great time, stay in town and shop local.”
MotorCars on MainStreet is co-sponsored by Discover Coronado, Precious Metals and City of Coronado. The show will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 28 across Orange Avenue.
