Remarkable rides: Corvette owners enjoy camaraderie, love of cars
Most people know a nice car when they see one, but “gearheads” work on a different level.
They not only know a nice car when they see one, but they know about its inner workings and what makes it tick.
“A gearhead is just a slang name we give to people who love hot rods. They are toys that the big guys like to play with and make prettier and faster,” said Mike Privette, founder of the Cars, Stars & Guitars Motorhead Festival. “It’s a great hobby, and people take a lot of personal pride in their work.”
Northwest valley resident Privette works as a barber by day, but on his off time, nothing gets him more excited than talking about classic cars.
“It’s a piece of early automobile history,” Privette said. “People who are drawn to them like the historic. It could be because it reminds them of their first love, first connection to maybe Dad, who taught you how to drive or first (love-making session) — who knows? It’s a piece of good times that the boomer age group loved and wants to relive.”
For Privette, it’s not only about the beauty of the ride but about the quality time that he spends with his family that got him started on his journey.
A native of Reno, Privette was used to hanging out at the big car shows that held a strong following. When he moved to Las Vegas in the early ’90s, he couldn’t find a place to go.
He began meeting up with a few classic car owners at a local Dunkin’ Donuts for coffee.
“More and more people started showing up, and before we knew it, we outgrew the parking lot,” Privette said.
After a couple of years, the small gathering of car enthusiasts turned into a weekly gathering called the West End Boys, which meets from 7 to 10 a.m. Sundays on the corner of Jones Boulevard and Cheyenne Avenue.
“It’s not a structured event. It’s just a lot of meatheads like me looking at cars and making friends,” Privette said. “We don’t allow vendors, but everyone is invited. It doesn’t matter if you’re 8 or 80, blind, crippled or crazy. It’ll be a fun morning if you’re a car nut.”
The weekly gathering features multimillion-dollar Rolls-Royce models, Corvettes and motorcycles, among others, he said.
The event is usually canceled if it is raining or the weather is excessively windy.
“Probably 75 percent of these cars are Sunday cars,” Privette said. “They don’t drive them every day. Maybe they’ll get Betsy out of the garage once a week to drive her. They’re mainly used for (show).”
Privette owns a ‘65 Chevrolet El Camino and an ‘84 Corvette.
Because of the small amount of car shows in Las Vegas and “on a complete drunken stupor,” Privette decided to start his own annual show.
Now in its 19th year, the Cars, Stars & Guitars Motorhead Festival is set at 5 p.m. Aug. 21 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 22 at The Resort on Mount Charleston.
The festival was founded in 1996 to promote pride and collaboration within the custom car community, according to its website, carsstarsguitars.com.
Privette said the main event will take place Aug. 22 with vendors and live music. A full bar will also be on-site.
“Friday will mainly be a set-up day for the die-hards to come out and get the best parking spot,” Privette said.
The free event, open to the public, is set to feature a display of hot rods, classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, race cars, exotic cars and boats shown by their owners.
Those who wish to participate can just show up. It is first-come, first-parked, Privette said.
No entry will be permitted onto the event grounds without proof of insurance. Vehicles arriving without proof of insurance will be turned away.
“The automobile represents different things to different people, from first set of wings to what Grandpa and Grandma drove,” Privette said. “It’s fun to be transported to another place and time through the presentation of so many various collectable vehicles. It’s the fastest-growing hobby there is for baby boomers like me.”
Other Area Car Gatherings
Sin City Misfits has a a Henderson and a North Las Vegas chapter. The group accepts all kinds of Volkswagens, whether they be air-cooled, water-cooled or project cars, as well as any Porsche or Audi vehicle.
“We are all about the heritage and family that a club creates rather than the politics of a ‘car club’ — just a fun group of people who like to work on, talk about and gather around their pride and joy,” said Christa Myers, secretary of the club.
Visit on.fb.me/1LIRbUw.
The Dairy Queen Friday Night Car Show meets from 5 to 9:30 p.m. every Friday at the Dairy Queen parking lot at 4438 N. Rancho Drive.
“Even if it rains, people will still show up,” said Ron Parkerson, organizer of the car show. “We have music playing in the parking lot and have food and drink specials at Dairy Queen. Anyone is invited to come.”
To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.
