San Diego: Packards, woodies lead car show stakes this week

From the : BEST BET: Packards, woodies lead car show stakes this week

Car enthusiasts will have plenty to get revved up about this week when a number of classic car shows roll into town. Gatherings of Packards, woodies and hot rods are scheduled today through Saturday, and spectator admission is free. Here's a list:

• First up today is the Greatest Show on Turf, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Liberty Station, on Truxtun Road in Point Loma. The open-class show features vintage and classic cars, hot rods, racers and customs, with the addition this year of lowrider bikes, motorcycles and scooters. In honor of those who died on 9/11, a 10th anniversary memorial ceremony is planned at 10:30 a.m. Visit sdautomuseum.org or call 619-231-2886.

• This month's Encinitas Classic Car Cruise Nights from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday on Highway 101 will feature six car clubs, including a tribute to woodies in honor of the Wavecrest Woodies Meet this weekend and live music by the Fabulous Woodies and Band of Jimmies. Visit encinitas101.com .

• Packard/Pierce Arrow Night returns to Escondido's Cruisin' Grand from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. Members of the San Diego Region of Packards and the Southern California Region of the Pierce Arrow Society will start the evening with an auto parade on Grand Avenue (from Ivy to Orange streets). As many as 50 cars will be parked downtown for viewing. Packards were manufactured from 1899 to 1958 and Pierce Arrows from 1901-1938. Visit cruisingrandescondido.com .

• The MotorHeadMadness.com Classic Car Show takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Poway Transmission, 13933 Poway Road. Produced by Soroptomist International of Poway as part of the Poway Days celebration, the 10th annual show will feature more than 200 restored autos, as well as the annual Taste of Poway, with booths hosted by seven local restaurants. Call 858-679-8000.

• The Hot Rods and Classics Car Show begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at Pala Casino Spa & Resort in Pala. Held on the fourth floor of Pala's west parking garage and on the casino lawn, there will be a car display, live music, food booths and a vendor alley. Visit m2eventworkx.com .

• Billed as the world's largest gathering of woodie vehicles, the Wavecrest Woodies Meet returns Saturday to Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. More than 300 woodies (known for their distinctive wood-paneled siding, popular from the '30s-'60s) will be arrayed along Encinitas Boulevard from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be Hawaiian music, and food and vendor booths. There is also a preshow party Friday, a post-show dinner Saturday and a cruise up Coast Highway 101 the morning of Sept. 18. Visit sandiegowoodies.com .