Great Autos of Yesteryear, California’s largest gay and lesbian car club, is taking the fun “out of the garage ... and into the streets.”

BY JOCELYN LOREN
PHOTOS BY RANDOLPH HARRISON

It’s amazing how our community can transcend geography, interests, philosophies, and beliefs. From leather to lace, makeup artists to mechanics, this expression of self creates an eclectic rainbow of interests—a true celebration of diversity. It’s this camaraderie that unifies our politics (you are voting NO on Prop. 8 aren’t you?), strengthens friendships, and makes for one hell of a good time at social gatherings. This is PRIDE on 87 octane (92 if you’re nasty).

OK so, car enthusiasts may not be the first thing you think of when you wave the rainbow-striped banner, but Great Autos of Yesteryear (G.A.Y. for those of you not paying attention), a car club with over 3,000 mostly California-centralized cars, but also spanning across state lines and national borders, actively supports our community with large yearly charity events and intimate monthly and weekly gatherings. Don’t own a car? Take a bus to a show, or better yet, hitch a ride. Great Autos welcomes anyone with a love and appreciation for stunning automobiles and smiling friendly faces, gay or straight—and this is no boys’ club, the ladies partake in the festivities too.

Great Autos was formed in the summer of 1983 by car enthusiasts and veteran classic car collectors Herb Rothman and his partner Ted Davidson. The two were already active members of multiple car clubs but felt the gay community deserved a car club all its own—a safe, social gathering to celebrate the passion for and preservation of the automobile.

Jim Davidson (no relation to Ted Davidson) is Great Autos’ West L.A. area coordinator and one of the original members of the club. On recalling the events that led to the club’s formation: “[a friend] and I used to see Herb and Ted at these shows and both their names were on the cars; we thought they were business partners or something. It didn’t occur to either one of us that there was anything more than that. Finally, they figured out that we were gay and it occurred to us that they were gay.”

For Rothman and his partner Davidson, the mutual discovery would further fuel the interest in a gay car club. The two spread the word to gauge interest and even advertised in Frontiers.

Rothman and his partner introduced the idea to Davidson: “I thought to myself, ‘Well that’s a dumb idea,’” he laughs. “I mean, what are there: a dozen of us in the entire universe that like cars? I went to the first meeting very reluctantly and I couldn’t believe it. They had a nice house on a hill. On the front lawn there were maybe 40 gorgeous cars just like I liked and in the condition that I liked—totally not what I expected. The people were so nice and the food was good; everybody was swimming and having a good time. Eventually, they said, ‘Anybody who would like to come to a second meeting if you think this is a good idea, sign the list.’ We all signed.”

Within months, Great Autos’ attendance roster reached 100 and hasn’t stopped growing. “From my original [thought that] no one could possibly be interested in such a club,” Davidson recalls, “we went from there to 1,200 members [today].”

Every month Great Autos offers at least one event ranging from road rallies, car collection tours, car shows, and automotive facility tours (recently, Great Autos toured the Pasadena Design Center) as well as annual charity car shows, a drive-in movie event where the club rents an entire drive-in theater screen to enjoy classic flicks, and their four-day auto extravaganza “West Coast Meet” in San Luis Obispo. “Our events are fun and we design them to make people want to come,” says Michael Berckart, president of Great Autos. “We do tours a lot of people can’t get into and we throw a lot of camp into it.”

The club is gearing up for their 21st Annual Concours d’Elegance Lexus-sponsored charity car show, Sept. 14 at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Past recipients include AIDS Project Los Angeles, the AIDS Service Center in Pasadena, and the Petersen Automotive Museum; this year’s recipient will be The Center Long Beach. “We call it our give back,” board member Randy Calcetas says, “All told, in the 20-plus years that we’ve been doing this, we’ve raised more than a quarter of a million dollars. I think for a little car club that started out in Santa Ana … we’re doing pretty well.”

Not a fan of four-wheeled motorized transport? Great Autos understands that many members’ partners would rather spend the weekend ironing wrinkled issues of Frontiers than spend an entire day ogling all things automotive. For them, the club plans alternative activities for the “bored members”; most recently, a full spa day to pamper those feeling a little neglected by their car-loving counterparts.

Great Autos celebrates the diverse interests within in its own ranks—beyond the car lover. “It’s more about the people,” says Jerry Garvin, North Orange County area coordinator. “Ultimately, you park the cars in the parking lot and you leave with lifelong friendships.”

For more information about becoming a member, visit Great Autos of Yesteryear at www.greatautos.org.

Sidebar

Take a break from Boys' Town and jot these G.A.Y. events in your calendar:

Great Autos Club Pool Party in San Diego, Aug. 23.

Drive down in your classic car for an afternoon of fun! Eat, frolic, and make a big splash at this potluck pool party extravaganza! E-mail joe.finkbiner@cox.net for more information.

21st Annual Concours d'Elegance, Sept. 14.

A BIG G.A.Y. Car Show benefiting The Center Long Beach at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. This is a major event featuring over 100 cars with the biggest Queen around as backdrop! E-mail pontiyakkin@yahoo.com for information.

Cars Under the Stars Drive-In Movie Event, Oct. 4.

Partake in an evening harkening back to the good old days! G.A.Y is putting together an honest to god, open-air, drive-in movie experience, featuring Rock Hudson and Doris Day in Pillow Talk. E-mail mrbuick55@hotmail.com for information.

Great Autos of Yesteryear's 25th Anniversary Celebration, Nov. 14-16

A full weekend in Orange County celebrating a quarter century of classic-cars the Great Autos way: "Out of the Garage ... and Into the Streets." E-mail rcalcetas@adelphia.net for information. —J.L.