The weekend-long event ran from Oct. 22-24 and was open to all custom or specialty vehicles. A sentiment echoed the show’s motto: “If it makes noise, vibrates and has a potential to leak oil, we love it!”
About 70 cars bumped up onto a grassy median on Buellton’s main drag, where they were on display Saturday afternoon. Dark clouds hung over the beginning of the event, but the polished chrome was sparkling in the sunlight by noon. The event wasn’t only about showing off shined metal, buffed leather and pinstripes. Rare for the Santa Ynez Valley, the Central Coaster also featured races.
Billed as “a soapbox derby for adults,” the titular gravity drags let car owners coast their machines down a section of roadway and try for the best time. Everything from hulking Fords to a bicycle rolled through town in hopes of making the speediest run. In the end, Paula Albrecht of Buellton posted the best time in her 1961 Corvette. Albrecht completed the course in 28.06 seconds.
This was the first Central Coaster and Rotary is hoping to bring it back. Event organizer Don Oaks said “This year was an experiment and the success, even against the problematic weather means the show is definitely coming back.” Oaks did say they were considering moving it to the summer to avoid a chance of rain. Proceeds from the event go to Rotary and their effort to meet community needs.