for the first ever Land Cruiser event in Bakersfield, scribbled the loca-
tion, date and time on a piece of paper and printed off forty copies
at work.
City Parks Department office and asked if I could make a reservation
for a car show. The guy behind the counter narrowed his eyes at me
and glared. "Will there be any Land Cruiser babes at your event?"
babe?" I asked innocently.
these car shows end up with beer guzzling, wet t-shirt contests and
people pissing in the bushes. We don't want any more of these kind
of things going on."
Cruiser get together. "We just want to look at each other's vehicles
and maybe swap parts and ideas. Nothing more," I promised him.
weeks going around town, putting my homemade flyers on various
Land Cruisers. I even ran an ad in Toyota Trails. The first ever Land
Cruiser Rally in Bakersfield was about to happen. I was so excited
and couldn't wait to see what my efforts would produce.
Perfect weather for my Land Cruiser Rally. I drove to the park a half
hour before the start time and backed into a parking space. I was
driving my 1970 FJ55 with the top cut off. The front bumper was a
4" by 6" wooden beam that I had painted black. I couldn't help but
wonder if anyone else would show up. I remember feeling a mixture
of fear and great anticipation.
ing through the parking lot. It was actually happening. Soon more
vehicles arrived and guys backed their rigs into empty spots and
stood awkwardly next to their trucks.
attempted to introduce the Cruiser owners and have them discuss
what alterations they had made to their personal vehicles. It took
some time but soon, everyone was mingling and crawling over and
under the variety of Land Cruisers that had shown up. Guys were
getting excited and sharing new ideas and dreams of future projects.
Lifts, roll bars, winches, bigger tires, motor conversions and spare
parts for sale soon became the normal dialogue. Surprisingly, some
guys turned to me for direction and suggestions.