Monique Lopez and Erin Stroh were among many female hot rodders at Cruise Night.  All photos by Bill Groak for Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.

Sure enough, the third Cruise Night of the 2005 season had a distinct feminine hot rodder touch to it. For example, Olive Moore’s 1926 Model T had long lashes and mascara on the headlights and Brittany Lustig’s ’70 Mustang included a mounted flamed heart with “heartbreaker” written on it. Yes, ladies certainly ruled the Fairplex in Pomona for the evening. Cruise Night has become a highly popular event at the Parks Museum,

Susan Lucero picks her winning entry, a 1937 wild rod cabriolet owned by Doug Morris.

presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, and the cars and people poured in for this one. All told there were approximately 1,000 people and almost 400 cool classics, rods and muscle cars.

 “Guys aren’t the only ones who like hot rods,” said Sam Jackson, executive director of the Parks Museum. “Ladies’ Night gives women the chance to show off their rides. And like the

Brittany Lustig with her '70 Mustang

guys, they are proud of their cars and love hot rodding.”

He’s not foolin’. The women who displayed their colorful creations were quite serious about the sport…and their cars.

“I like everything fast,” said Lustig, 17, who also has a ’70 Mercury XR-7 to go along with her blue Mustang. “I’m not done with the Mustang. I’m waiting for my new rims to come in.”

Rani Riedel, 32, brought her 1924 Model T, which she got from her

Rani Riedel shows off her '24 Model T at the entrance to the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.

dad Ted about a year and a half ago. “We both like cars. He gave me this when he got his ’39 Ford Roadster.”

Moore’s ’26 Model T (the one with the mascara), drew a lot of looks. Her husband Art built the car, but she drives in hill-climbing races. “It’s a lot of fun. I like the old-fashioned hill climbing races…and I win almost every time.”

A real eye-opener was the ’38 Lincoln Zephyr in which Marie O’Dell arrived. Owned by Marie and her husband Roger, it always had a crowd around it. “I just love old cars,” O’Dell said. Her favorite, though, is her own personal ride, a candy green ’60 Caddy with pearl white scallops.

Checking out O’Dell’s Zephyr was 13-year-old Caitlin Walker, daughter of National Dragster Managing Editor Vicky Walker, who was one of the guest judges for the evening. “I like the back of the car,” said young Caitlin. Her mom, however, picked a

Stephanie Rask, daughter of Parks Museum board member Steve Gibbs, and her daughters Kayla and Kami get into the hot rod mood during the Cruise.

way-different car as her winning choice: a color-shift-painted ’55 Chevy Bel Air owned by Charlie Tachdjian of Laverne, Calif. “I like the detail – the shaved door handles, custom brace under the hood and the off-white interior with accents,” Walker said. “And the color really grabbed me!”

Tachdjian said he’s had the car for a year and bought it turnkey. “I’m pushing 70 and don’t have the time to fix it up,” he laughed. “I have 30 cars and want to enjoy them now.”

Louise McClelland, wife of NHRA Announcer Dave McClelland chose the green '31 Essex Super Six owned by Richard Swatsley

All the evening’s judges had a plethora of fantastic cars from which to choose. The five winners chosen will participate in a pre-opening ceremonies parade at the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona this November.

Sheri Watson, who works for the Parks Museum, stressed on choosing between her top choices. Finally she tabbed Lee and Susan Lucero’s ’51 Merc. “It’s just a beautiful car,” Watson said. “I like the color and it’s done very nicely.”

It was a big night for Susan Lucero, whose late-grandfather Ralph was

Museum staffer Sheri Watson picked Susan Lucero's '51 Mercury.

the famous Pomona police chief for whom the NHRA named the Pomona track “Parker Ave.,” which has an actual street sign erected.  Besides having a winning entry, Lucero, from Chino, Calif., was also a guest judge. She picked a ’37 black Wild Rod Cabriolet owned by Doug Morris of Lakewood, Calif. “I like the clean lines – it’s very smooth to me,” Lucero said. “It really stood out over everything here tonight…except my car.”

Color was the key for the last two judges, Louise McClelland and Joe Martinez. Louise, wife of legendary

Joe Martinez gave "The Look" Award to Kevin Penna for his custom red '68 Camaro.

NHRA announcer Dave McClelland, went for the green, tabbing Richard Swatsley’s green-trimmed ’31 Essex Super-Six. “Green is my favorite color,” McClelland said, “and I just like this car. It doesn’t look like someone just dreamed it up last week.”

Swatsley agreed: “Essex's are different.” He said he’s had the car 25 years and painted it green back in 1981. He didn’t comment on whether others might be green with envy on his Cruise Night win.

Martinez on the other hand, saw red – literally. Martinez, who along

Marie O'Dell with her '38 Lincoln Zephyr.

with Gary Moline give out “The Look” award each Cruise Night (and a $50 donation to the Museum from J.R. Martinez Design and Power Puzzles), picked Kevin Penna’s custom-red ’68 Camaro. “I own a red ’69,” Martinez said. “This is straight and tasteful, and it’s a real driver.”

Scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month – from April through December – Cruise Nights transform the popular motorsports museum in Pomona, Calif., into hot rod heaven as cool

Sheri Watson checks out the "mascara" on Olive and Art Moore's '26 Model T.

pre-1970 rods, customs, classics and muscle cars fill two parking lots.

Next Twilight Cruise is set for Wed., July 6th. Cruise Nights, which run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and are hosted by the Cal Rods car club, include raffles, prizes and a huge 50/50 drawing. Admission to the Twilight Cruise is free, and all who attend receive free admission to the Parks Museum as well. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

Dates for the rest of the season’s Twilight Cruise Nights are: July 6,

The Cruise Night car theme for June was Mercurys.

Aug. 3, a special Aug. 31 date, replacing September’s cruise due to the dates of the L.A. County Fair, Oct. 5, Nov. 2 and the annual Toy Drive on Dec. 7. For more information, call 909/622-2133 or visit http://museum.nhra.com.