Billy F Gibbons has great timing. The legendary ZZ Top guitarist and noted hot rodder chose the Wed., June 7th Twilight Cruise Night to do a signing for his new book, "Rock + Roll Gearhead." Not only will there be hundreds of cool rods on display in the Fairplex parking lots at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum along with a few thousand fans, it's also Ladies' Night. Good thinkin',Billy!
"Ladies' Night always draws a big crowd and lots of great cars," said Tony Thacker, executive director of the Museum, which is presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California. "And with Billy coming by, this might be our largest Cruise Night gathering ever."
According to Thacker, Gibbons will be signing "Rock + Roll Gearhead" from 5-6:30. The book, published by Motor Books International, features Gibbons' outstanding rods and customs, but also goes into his life as a Texas youth, life on the road and has extraordinary photos by David Perry and ones from Gibbons' personal archives.
Besides signing his book, Thacker said Gibbons will autograph a Fender(R) resonator acoustic guitar, just like the one he plays. "Thanks to Fender for this kind donation," he said. "Billy will sign the guitar and it will be raffled off at the Cruise with all proceeds going to the Museum."
On the first Wednesday of the month from April through December the popular motorsports museum in Pomona, Calif., transforms into hot rod heaven as hundreds of cool pre-1970 rods, customs, classics, street rods and muscle cars are put on display at the museum.
This is the eighth year for the museum's Twilight Cruise Night program. The event, which runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and is hosted by the Cal Rods car club, attracts nearly 1,000 people and includes raffles, prizes and a huge 50/50 drawing. Celebrity judges will scour the ranks tofind five of the best vintage vehicles worthy of a special prize a victory lap at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona during the Auto Club NHRA Finals held Nov. 3-6, 2006.
The remaining Twilight Cruise Night schedule is: June 7 (Ladies' Night), July 5, Aug. 2, a special Aug. 30 date, replacing September's cruise due to the dates of the L.A. County Fair, Oct. 4, Nov. 1 and the annual Toy Drive on Dec. 6.
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds.