Few things will get the fraz and his neighbors out of bed early (4:30) on a Saturday.  Most reasons involve old cars, but the Donut Derelicts in Huntington Beach is by far one of the best classic car cruises in all of So Cal.  For the last 22+ years lovers of all old cars, customs and hot rods show up at Adams Avenue Donuts at the corner of Adams and Magnolia in the early hours of Saturday morning to show off their toys.  

Cruisers start arriving by 6AM at Adams Donuts (yes, 6 freaking AM which is why we have to leave the San Gabriel Valley at 5AM).  Its a sight to behold, unmuffled, unfiltered old style loud accented with a lot of shiny chrome and tire squeals until the lot is full.  Full, as in nearly 250 cars this morning ranging from a 1913 Buick Roadster topping out with no less than 3 vintage Pantera sports cars from the 1970’s.  (There must be something about Santa Ana’s and a full moon to bring this big of a crowd out in January).  Be warned this is a “cruise” and after coffee and some tasty donuts the parking portion is over by 9AM as the random cruise lines take off, wheels spinning and exhausts roaring, right around 8:30.

This isn’t an event for the carbon-conscious foot print anxious among us.  The crowd is definitely slanted towards gray with parents of the baby-boomers out numbering everyone else 3-1.  These are car guys.  The kind of guys who drive their cars and have fun with them.  They are a friendly bunch and if you let them corner you, you are going to hear about every burr lovingly sanded off their dream car during the frame off restoration. 

The best part…ITS FREE.  No admission for the cruisers or the admirers.  

Adams Avenue Donuts are a decent donut, certainly priced alright.  My recommendation go for the $2 Ham and Cheese Croissant or their some what more expensive $2.50 Cherry Croissant.  All told donuts and chocolate milk for me and my boys it was $8.50 which is pretty cheap eats.  The also have a nice selection of t-shirts and other Donut Derelicts merchandise available if you are so inclined.

Deets: Donut Derelicts Every Saturday 6AM-9AM.  Adams Avenue Donuts 9015 Adams Avenue, Huntington Beach CA.  714/962-8921

In order to see some more pics of the event and my snarks you need to make the jump. All the pics by me.  More in my Donut Derelicts Flickr set.  All of these will get bigger with a quick click if you are too lazy to scroll over to flickr.

Pantera, body by Ghia power by Ford 351 V8

Extremely rare 30

Pre-war Ford Woodie - dark primer is the new black?

50's Vintage Ford Country Squire Woody - flamed and ready to party.

Lincoln Mark V - rolling shrine to the disco era.

Post-war vintage Caddy as a Low Rider

Caddy Hoody - classic art deco style hood ornament on the low rider Caddy.

Dune Buggy, rolling shrine to all things Tiki, Gidget and Gilligan.

Thanks to Gina the OC Metblogs captain for allowing me to post this fun event. I’m the resident car nut/gearhead over at the LA Metblogs and you can follow my activities there. fraz is actually in the OC a lot so look for the odd and random post of really cool stuff I find going on here.