Many different types of hot rods filled the Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center, CA, for a picnic and car show celebrating the 60th anniversary of the San Diego Prowlers.
This particular event had lots of fun things to do and see, like listen to a live band, buy a raffle ticket for a 350 crate engine, and watch the engine blow contest. The Prowlers is a family-oriented club, and, just like other families, they've had their ups and downs over time. It's a close-knit group, and members are determined to see that the fun they've had with their rides over the past 60 years will continue, and they want to share that enthusiasm with as many people as possible.
There are many reasons why car clubs are formed, least of which is the camaraderie of like-minded individuals. In the case of the San Diego Prowlers, the impetus was to organize a group of hot rodders to go racing 100 miles north of their home at Muroc Dry Lake in the late 1940s.
Lots of great-looking rat-rod types of cars were out on the lawn, too. Big-inch wheels all the way 'round and the E&J headlamps gave this li'l ride some character.
For 60 years, members of the Prowlers have upheld the ideal of what a car club really is and what it isn't. What it shouldn't be is a business opportunity for some folks to try and weasel money out of their friends but rather a way to keep and fun and traditional way of enjoying a hot rod.
When visiting the San Diego Prowlers' Web site (www.prowlers.org), you can scan the different decades of the club's existence and learn that hundreds of people have poured a lot of time and effort into keeping hot rodding alive. And, that includes the early years when it was basically a slap in the face to be referred to as a "hot rodder" through the lean years during the '60s when the hobby just about died out.
In the earliest days of lakes racing, only roadsters or streamliners were allowed to compete in Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) meets. Coupe owners were shut out; that is, until other timing associations were formed, such as the Russetta Timing Association, which welcomed coupes and roadsters. Founded in 1947, the Prowlers club was formed as a way for owners of hopped-up coupes to have the chance to race at a number of dry lakes in Southern California.
But, just because these guys liked to race didn't mean they didn't like a good car show. Throughout the years, many a Prowler has been featured in li'l-page car magazines, as well as the big winner of the indoor car show trophy. Starting in the 1970s, many of their members' cars have been featured in STREET RODDER.
You don't have to be painted to have an attitude! There were many customs scattered throughout the parking area, some with more work done than others. | 
There was a large area set up by the Prowlers that featured decades' worth of photos and memorabilia, including this satin-collar club jacket, which was in use between 1947 and 1952. | 
Though it isn't hard to find a group of '32s at any Southern California car show, this grouping was a bit different, as the 75th Anniversary of the Deuce was celebrated at the 60th Prowlers Picnic and Car Show. |
The exterior of Terry James' '49 Chevy Fleetline was painted in a brilliant orange, and under the hood was a well-detailed Nailhead with twin fours. | 
We didn't get the name of the owner of this '53 Muntz Jet, but he has an affiliation with the NC Cruisers. We just think his car has some pretty wild lines, and it would make a great-looking custom. | 
That's Fuzzy's black '28 Ford on the left and Carl Burnett's '36 Ford roadster on the right. Carl is a member of the Early Ford V-8 Club. The whitewall and white top combination is hard to beat! |
Some folks believe there is nothing better than an A-V8-a '29 roadster body on top of '32 'rails. Many add a Deuce grille shell to update the appearance, but this owner decided the original Model A radiator cover was the right choice. | 
The '40 Ford coupe has long been a staple of the rodder's creed, and, comparatively speaking, they're a lot less expensive than some of the earlier hot rod material. | 
It is absolutely amazing how many clones of the American Graffiti coupe there are. Some are exact replications, and this owner's version was pretty close. |
Billy The Crud was working on a Tiki at the show the old-fashioned way: with mallet and chisel. In case you're not aware, there is a large subculture devoted to Tiki carving, and they have their own events, too. See more at www.myspace.com/sandiegotikicarvers. | 
Rat rods came in all shapes and sizes at the Prowlers Picnic, but the '27 and '29 Fords seem to hold court over other makes and years. Rat Rod Sammy had a hand in these two lowdown roadsters. | 
Jerome Pettengill is a club member in the Over The Hill Gang, and he brought out his bright-red '33 Willys Model 77 sedan. |
Sure, owning a COE is cool, but how about pulling a polished aluminum Airstream behind it? There were a handful of these towed beauties in attendance, and they were great-looking as well as a great lesson in forming aluminum. | 
Fred Lobello had an SCTA timing tag from 1948 on the dash of his flat-powered roadster (101.01 mph), but we don't know for sure if it ran there or if the tag is a cool decoration. | |