GUSTINE - Henry Miller Park buzzed with excitement today as the Westside Auto Club hosted the 44th annual Linguica Run, a beloved local tradition that brings together classic car enthusiasts and the entire community.
The day kicked off with the Gustine Fire Department's popular pancake breakfast, where local firefighters served up a hearty meal to raise funds for their department. As the aroma of pancakes faded, the town flocked to Henry Miller Park, ready for the main event. Hundreds gathered to enjoy delicious linguica sandwiches, tap their feet to lively music, and, most importantly, admire an extraordinary collection of vehicles.
The park was packed, with barely enough room to stroll between the gleaming chrome and polished paint jobs of the stunning cars on display. The overwhelming turnout clearly marked another successful year for the event.
Among the passionate car enthusiasts showcasing their prized possessions was Lance Joyce, a dedicated member of the Westside Auto Club since 2018. However, his family's connection to the club runs much deeper, dating back to 1957. Lance himself has been a fixture at the Linguica Run since 1980. While he has owned more than 30 cars throughout the years, he proudly presented two vehicles at this year's run. One was a classic 1954 Oldsmobile, which he fondly referred to as his wife's car. The other, his undeniable "pride and joy," was a 1933 Studebaker President, nicknamed "The 30 FDR."
"This fully custom 1933 Studebaker President has a Ford 9-inch rear end, disc brakes with triangulated 4-link Air Ride," Joyce explained, detailing the extensive modifications. "It's got a Dodge 727 transmission and a 12-valve 5.9 Cummins Diesel engine with 600hp and 900ft-pounds torque. The front suspension is fully custom too, with a 1948 Chevy axle, 1954 Chevy spindles, 1948 Chevy truck leaf springs, and 1983 Chevy C-10 disc brakes. And the entire interior is fully customized, all metal."
Another notable participant was Art Medina, proudly displaying his award-winning 1956 Chevy 210. Medina, a member of the Circle City Cruisers out of Patterson, shared his excitement. He recalled the previous year when his car was featured on T-shirts and won numerous awards at the 34th annual Ceres Street Fair. This year, Medina was particularly thrilled to receive another award at the Linguica Run, a testament to his dedication, having attended the event for the past 20 years.
The Westside Auto Club uses the proceeds from the annual event for several community projects, including scholarships and toy drives.
The combination of beautiful cars, live music, and hundreds of enthusiastic attendees confirmed that the 44th Annual Linguica Run was once again a resounding success for the Westside Auto Club and the town of Gustine.
