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Archives: 1st Independence Day Classic and Muscle Car Show (June 12, 2010)

Traditionally, June 12th is celebrated nationwide as the day that the Philippines claimed independence from foreign rule. But June 12, 2010 showed that many Filipinos are NOT really free from foreign control, specifically from their passion towards American classic and muscle cars.

Dubbed as the “1st Independence Day Classic and Muscle Car Show” and held at the old parking grounds of the Ortigas Home Depot in Pasig City, the show prompted classic American car owners to dust the cobwebs off, drive and display their treasured automobiles alongside contemporary models. There were the occasional hot rods, tribute cars, and modern luxury barges but everyone had their fill of American cars in addition to a wonderful day of camaraderie with fellow classic and muscle car enthusiasts.

 

1933 Chevy Hot Rod

1951 Chevy Styline Deluxe convertible

1952 Buick Special 4-door sedan

1952 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine

The loyalists of General Motors (GM) enjoyed seeing preserved and roadworthy classics like a 1950 Chevrolet convertible, 1952 Buick Special sedan, 1952 Cadillac Fleetwood limousine and 1955 Chevy Bel-Air.  A 1933 Chevy roadster hot rod added spice to the collection of classic GM automobiles. A 1963 Lincoln Continental convertible, like the one in the “Inspector Gadget” movie, added class and pride for the Ford Motor Company (FoMoCo) fans.

A 1955 Chevy BelAir convertible dropped in…

… and immediately dropped the top to show off the pristine interior.

1964 Chevy Impala of comedian Maverick was turned into a lead sled.

1965 Lincoln Continental 4-door convertible

Chevrolet Camaro fans found plenty of F-bodies to ogle at while Ford aficionados found plenty of Mustangs, including Eleanor clones, to admire, which shows that Filipinos prefer American pony cars more than large luxury barges. Sports car enthusiasts, on the other hand, gravitated towards the Corvettes on display.

1968 Camaro RS/SS 350 of Atty. Frank Koh

1969 Camaro RS/SS

1970 Camaro SS Tribute

1970 Camaro Z28 Tribute

1974 Camaro Bumblebee (formerly of Franz Decloedt)

1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula inherited by Atty. Frank Koh from his grandma.

1974 Firebird TransAm

Several examples of American muscle cars made new converts out of car lovers who were present during the show. A lime green 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda 440 blurred the distinction between pony car and muscle car while a yellow 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Rallye 350 showed that not all muscle cars need big block engine power to become a collectible.  There were several Pontiac Firebirds and Chevrolet Impalas of various vintage as well as El Caminos, Dodge Chargers, and other powerful American muscle.

1965 Ford Mustang Fastback

1965 Mustang Fastback

1965 Mustang GT 350 Clone

1966 Mustang Fastback (formerly of Mike de Leon)

1967 Mustang GT Fastback of Director Bobot Ortiz

1967 Mustang GT Eleanor Tribute of Gatch

1967 Mustang GT Coupe

1969 Mustang Mach 1 (Mike de Leon)

1974 Mustang Cobra II

2008 Mustang GT convertible

2009 Shelby Mustang convertible

Presented by Caltex with Techron and Pepsi, and held in cooperation with Grand Prix Hotels, Wave 89.1 Diecast Club of the Philippines (DCPH), Hot Wheels, Ambi Pur, Chrome Dazzler and Ortigas Home Depot, the classic and muscle car show ended its day with a wild bikini open contest inside the Foamy Brews bar and restaurant. It was as if the car-loving men inside the bar declared their independence from their daily concerns, no matter how fleetingly.

1969 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe (formerly of Toti de Leon)

1974 Corvette T-Top Coupe

1994 Corvette Coupe

1967 Oldsmobile 442

1969 Dodge Charger (Jan Keirulf)

1970 Oldsmobile Rallye 350

1971 Dodge Challenger 383

1972 Chevy Chevelle SS

2005 Lincoln Town Car

Voluptuous ladies roamed around the American classic and muscle cars…

… and posed in front of the participants’ cars…

… before they strutted their stuff on the modeling ramp.