Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) opened Lot 71 to the community this past Saturday, welcoming in classic and contemporary car owners from all over Monterey County.
The event was hosted by professor Kristen LaFollette.
“After a cruising ban repeal, we wanted to celebrate that fact,” said LaFollette. “Cruising was always hurt by misconceptions. Hosting this gives people the chance to rewrite the narrative and share their histories.”
She and one of her classes had completed a project compiling several of the notable members of the cruising community before this event.
The 10 a.m.-2 p.m. exhibition opened up to more than just notables however. The 124 attendees were a mix of students, locals and professors, several bringing their storied cars.
One of these cars was a 1962 Ford Thunderbird, which you can often see driving down Inter-Garrison. Its owner is Antonio Gallardo, who teaches at CSUMB.
“These aren’t just hunks of metal. They represent who we are. They are a place where I get to be seen for who I am,” said Gallardo.
“In the ‘60s this car was a status symbol. When your kids went off you had the privilege of owning one of these,” Gallardo said, motioning to his car. Even now, the car is a status symbol to him. At the event, he was smiling ear to ear as he showed it to his former students, explaining how significant it is.
Gallardo isn’t alone in his relationship with his car. Jesse Santayo, a Marina resident, considers a formative memory with his father to be their shared love of cars. Standing beside a 1953 Chevy Belair, Santayo said “my father owned one of these cars himself. When I saw this it took after my own heart.”
To many, cruise and car culture is a way to foster community. For others, namely community members Carmen Barragan and Jose Urquizo, it’s a way to connect with the next generation.
Barragan and Urquizo are the co-founders of Salinas-based Aztec Legacy, a car club boasting 22 members. Since 2022, they have been offering students in higher education scholarships through the club.
“I’m a teacher at Fremont Union (School District in the San Jose area). To me, seeing these kids succeed is so much, and getting to do it through something I’ve always loved makes it that much better,” said Barragan
Barragan and Urquizo were at the event both to extend opportunities as well as build their base. Most of the students they have served as of now were studying in trade or community colleges.
“Events like this let us branch out so much more,” said Urquizo. Now the club looks to sponsor students at CSUMB, both new and continuing.
Drawing eyes was their 1937 Pontiac Silverstreak, the only car whose story could match the legacy the club hopes to represent.
“The car is only really the half of it. There’s always the person behind the car that has the story that makes the car what it is,” said Gallardo.
Photos by Elliot Rowe