When the decision was made last year to expand the l4th Annual Spring Fling car show to a two-day event (April 15-16, 2000), the members of Chrysler Performance West (the host club) had mixed feelings. Would the Mopar enthusiasts support a two-day show? Would the 65 club members (who put on the show without outside help) be able to handle the event if attendance and participation soared? Would any of them survive the weekend?

Those questions and many others were answered when the event turned out to be a huge success on both days. With show car count for the two days at 911 , swap meet vendors at 302 and over 7,000 spectators each day pouring into Woodley Park to view 36-plus classes of the finest Mopars on the West Coast, that assumption is obvious. Show cars from as far away as New York were on display with attendees present from as far away as Australia and South Africa. Saturday night a popular local cruise spot was opened specially for CPW to host a Spring Fling Cruise-In. Over 160 cars attended.

As would be expected of a Southern California show, spectators and participants included several notable celebrities. Paul LeMat, who played John Milner in American Graffiti, signed autographs. Jay Leno arrived driving a Stanley Steamer and thoroughly looked through the show. Dick Landy took a look around. David Spade, owner of a Road Runner took in the activities

Among the celebrities in attendance was killing-time Mopar racer "Dandy" Dick Landy. Dick says he"s always on the lookout in the swap meet are for something he might need for a customer's car.

Our congratulations to the members of the Chrysler Performance West car club for putting on another super show. Well be back next spring, and hope to see all of you there.

Sunday morning and, a very delighted Rob Morello, guitarist for the popular rock band "Rage Against the Machine" took third place in A-Body restified.

A special Super Stock display was the highlight of the midway with 10 original cars from 1962 to 1968. Also on display was Bob Riggle's Hemi Under Glass Barracuda and the "Foley Bros:' '62 Dodge 383 dual four barrel wagon. Noted racers Mick Wiese, Bob Riggle, and Robin Pellissier answered questions along with the other owners of the cars.

Bob Riggle was on hand with the legendary Hurst Hemi Under Glass'66 Barracuda and to field questions from spectators. Rumor has it he signed an autograph or two during the weekend as well.

With over 300 vendors in the huge swap meet area it was hard to see it all. What always amazes us is the difference in the type of parts displayed at shows on the opposite coasts.

Remember the Green Hornet? (The crime fighter, not the car from AMC. Remember his tricked out Black Beauty Chrysler Imperial? Well, the car has survived after all these years. And we're told everything still works.

Wing cars are always a big hit at any Mopar show. But to see so many in one place, so far from the heart of NASCAR country is some what surprising when you think about it.

There was a parts and paraphernalia tent showing exactly what made these cars special, including a Max Wedge and a'65 Hemi Cross Ram intake manifold, carbs, air cleaners, and factory exhaust.

On the CPW schedule is a fall show, Fall Fling V also at Woodley Park on Saturday, October 21 , 2000. Over 270 show and shine cars are expected with more than 100 swap meet vendors. And judging by the success of Spring Fling 2000, the 2001 show will no doubt continue the newly established two-day program. The show has grown in every one of its 14 years.

For Information on Spring Fling 2001 and Fall Fling V, visit the CPW website: http://www.cpwclub.com or call the CPW Hotline (818) 759-1779.