The 21st Danville Hot Summer Nights Car Show
August 13th, 2015

The town of Danville, CA is nestled along Interstate 680 in the Diablo Valley between Walnut Creek (to the north) and San Jose (to the south).  As such, it is an ideal place to hold a car show and draw entries from the whole east bay side of San Francisco. The show is a twice yearly event (the first is in July) that is both a car show and a social happening for the citizens of the East Bay.  The cars are displayed along Hartz Ave in the heart of beautiful historic downtown Danville. The show stretches from Faz's restaurant on Hartz Avenue proceeding north to San Ramon Valley High School, and extends to many of the side streets as well. The street is home to many shops, restaurants and sports bars. Combine the locale and weather with live entertainment and more than 300 cars and you’re in for a very enjoyable afternoon and evening.

This year’s show had several special exhibits. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Mustang and GTO, all years of Mustangs and GTOs were invited. Additionally, 2015 is the 60th anniversary of the introduction of the Ford Thunderbird.  The local T-Bird club attended with a great display of “early birds” from 1955-1957. More cars of all years up to and including 1976 were shown.

Some of my favorites (other than the T-birds) were an all original 1961 Impala SS with a 348 engine. Watch for a feature on this car. For the Ford lovers out there, you could gaze upon a beautiful 1956 Ford Victoria hardtop with a 312 T-bird V8 replete with three deuces. A bone stock and beautifully restored 1947 Buick with a massive straight eight cylinder engine was “gangster cool.”

Lots of hot rods—both coupes and roadsters—were interspersed with the full bodied cars, and Corvettes and Cobras were staring at each other. The local Viper Club was in attendance, and their “nest of vipers” was truly inspiring.

All too soon it was 9:00 PM and time to leave. But one thing is for sure, if you want a great afternoon and evening with cars and entertainment, make it out to next year’s Hot Summer Nights Car Show. We know we will !

Click here to see more photos of the event.