Brandon Whitt has been on the lookout for classic car shows since he bought a 1963 Cadillac DeVille about a year ago.
They haven’t been easy to find. COVID-19 restrictions forced the cancellation of many community events this year. But on Sunday, the Fletcher Hills resident discovered a place to show off his ride.
Whitt and his wife, Wendy, loaded their three children and dog into the vintage bright yellow Cadillac to join about 100 other car enthusiasts for Cruise for the Cause — a car show put on by Magic 92.5-FM radio personality Xavier Soriano for the past 18 years.
Under normal circumstances, about 500 cars and more than 10,000 people would spend the day admiring restored and tricked-out vehicles up close. The event raises money for the Emilo Nares Foundation, which provides transportation and advocacy for low income families with children battling cancer.
This year, Cruise for a Cause went virtual. Instead of an all-day show, participants submitted photos of their low riders and vintage cars to a special section of Magic 92.5-FM’s website.
Then for a grand finale, Soriano hosted a “slow ride” drive around the Otay Ranch Town Center in Chula Vista. The two-hour procession was live streamed on Facebook.
Alex Ortega, from Chula Vista, in his 1939 Chevy Master Deluxe at Otay Ranch shopping center. Car enthusiasts participated in the Cruise for the Cause event hosted by Xavier the X-man, a DJ for 92.5 FM.
(Kristian Carreon/For the San Diego Union-Tribune)
“We listen to 92.5,” said Whitt, a first-time participant. “We have been trying to find as many shows as we can. With this one, we really wanted to do it because it’s for a good cause.”
Although the event lacked the usual crowds, participants tried to create an “American Graffiti”-style atmosphere. Participants rolled up to the shopping center’s Main Street promenade with engines rumbling and stereos pumping.
Joe and Josie Ortega embodied this nostalgic vibe as they waited to begin their cruise in a modified 1930 Ford Model A, which Joe Ortega has owned since 1969.
“When I met him in 1974, he was driving this car,” said Josie from the front seat.
In a sign of the times, the couple wore masks. They have been participating in Cruise for a Cause for years and said helping the community is what the low-rider and car-club culture is about.
Cruise for a Cause almost didn’t happen this year. Soriano went back and forth between safety concerns and his desire to continue fundraising for the Emilo Nares Foundation.
“If I didn’t do it, they would not get this money that we raise for them every year,” he said “But I absolutely wanted to do it in a safe manner. We have a lot of people in the community who have fallen ill with this virus, and I didn’t want to put anybody in that situation.”
Car enthusiasts brought out their lowriders and other American classic cars at Otay Ranch shopping mall during the Cruise for the Cause event. The event helped raised money for the Emilio Nares Foundation who provide transportation to children and families affected by cancer.
(Kristian Carreon/For the San Diego Union-Tribune)
That led to going virtual. About 200 people paid the registration fee and submitted photos of their rides online.
Because Soriano’s radio show is syndicated beyond San Diego, the virtual event allowed a few far-flung car buffs to participate.
“I got an entry from Guam,” said Soriano. “It was fun to see people from Texas, Arizona, Northern California registering.”
Soriano is pleased with the amount raised not only from registration fees but also from businesses that donated.
“We had Soapy Joe’s, which is a local (car wash) company, just give me a check for $5,000 for the Emilo Nares Foundation,” said Soriano. “Mozzy Ford is going to pitch in a vehicle for them to use. Del Real Foods, Meza Paints — these businesses stepped up.”
Soriano also credited the Otay Ranch Town Center for agreeing to host the slow ride drive. Without that, the live stream part of the event wouldn’t have happened.
Joe and Josie Ortega’s modified 1930 Model A at Otay Ranch shopping center. Car enthusiasts from the lowrider community and other American classic car communities came out to support the Emilio Nares Foundation during the Cruise for the Cause event.
(Kristian Carreon/For the San Diego Union-Tribune)
Soriano caught the low-rider bug as a youth. But he waited until adulthood before buying and restoring a 1961 Chevy Impala convertible, complete with a bright red interior.
“I hauled it home. Parts were in garbage cans,” he said. “I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. But we pieced it together, and it’s been my pride and joy for 10 years.”
