Enduring Dream Machines show supports adult health center

Viewing muscle cars, trailer queens, new cars, old cars, micro cars, dragsters and auctions of rarities and junkers is a pastime for some, a passion for others. Automotive enthusiasts can attend a car show of their favorites nearly every weekend in nearly every state.

Nearly three decades ago, Bob Senz had a better idea. He decided to showcase nearly everything with an engine in one show. The result is the 27th annual Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show, scheduled April 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Half Moon Bay Airport. It’s located about 20 miles south of San Francisco.

“If it’s a mean machine, you bring it,” said Bob Senz, 84, the show’s founder who owned a hardwood and lumberyard business in Half Moon Bay for 30 years. “I was raised in Oregon with a couple of older brothers and if we had wheels, we raced them.”

The show features vintage cars, trucks, motorcycles, aircraft and “assorted contraptions representing every era and style of wheeled wonders in history,” according to show literature.

About 2,000 driving, flying and various other machines will be displayed. If the vibe of past shows is repeated, the owners will be as enthusiastic presenting their wonders as the public will be viewing them.

Consider the show’s diversity: Model-T fire engines, vintage busses, custom motorcycles, tricked out trucks, sleek streamliners, one-of-a-kind antique engines, tractors, antique horseless carriages, Ford Model Ts, touring and luxury cars are showcased.

Sports cars, custom cars, street rods, muscle cars as well as vintage and modern high-performance race cars, art and pedal cars, modified street machines, low riders, compacts, modified imports and hip-hop machines all have their place.

Kit cars, super-charged turbo cars and trucks, “green” technology/alternative fuel vehicles, streamliners, dragsters, funny cars, gassers and jet cars are also in the mix.

Aviation fanciers will also get their fix with A B-25 Bomber, C-47 Skytrain plus a series of P-51 Mustangs, YAK Russian fighters, U.S. military fighters, helicopters, stunt planes and bi-planes on display.

Senz, who greets all event participants, began the show to assist friends trying to raise money for an area adult daycare center. The community generosity remains.

“I had been involved with cars for a very long time,” said Senz. “I just thought we’ put on a car show. I decided to do it at the airport for obvious reasons. It’s all fenced and it has lots of access and controlled gets, and it’s an active airport. I had a friend who was an active stump pilot and he began to bring aircraft owners.”

The six-hour show defines sensory overload: high-flying freestyle motorcycle stunt shows, skydiving performances, monster truck rides, drag races, dynojet dynamometer performance testing as well as a zip-line and a bungee jump are all packed into the into the day to benefit the Coastside Adult Day Health Center.

Music will be provided Eagles and Van Morrison tribute bands as well as zydeco and accordion performer Andre Thierry.

According to Senz, the show has grown from about 300 vehicles to its current kaleidoscope of machinery.

“I think it’s the diversity of the show and the machinery that’s shown,” said Senz, explaining the event’s enduring success. “We also make sure the people who come to the show know where the money is going.”

Vehicle registration fee is $40 ($50 for entries postmarked after April 15) and includes a dash plaque and admission for two. Spectator admission is $25 for adults (age 18-69), $15 for ages 11-17 and 70+, Free for kids ages 10 and under. Tickets are available only at the gate. Visit: www.miramarevents.com/dreammachines for additional information.