- The 5th annual Jamul Hot Roddin Chili Cookoff was held on the grounds of the Pio Pico RV resort in the backcountry of San Diego.
- There was everything from an ’80s Olds Cutlass to rats rods, an off-road rail, classics, import trucks, Euros and a survivor Corvette.
- Green and mean ’30 Ford coupe owned by Bob Chambers.
- 6.4 liters of old-school power.
- Variety on the field.
- Show cars in the shade. Pio Pico along Otay Lakes Rod is a ideal destination for a car show.
- This Impala convertible was one of several clean cars shown by the Impalas lowrider club.
- This ’30 Ford rat rod is scary-badass inside and out.
- Great details in the work, like the crankshaft for the headlight bar.
- Ready for the NASA launch.
- It’s a daily-driver, too.
- Don’t f*ck with this duck.
- A mid-’40s Ford …
- with a “built” engine.
- This ’53 Chevy pickup won the Maynard’s Garage award for its customized preservation.
- Owned by Jose Guman of the Impalas, I liked that he kept the 6-cylinder engine and three-on-the-tree. And all the details were immaculately finished.
- This ’58 Ford was handed down to a son who remembers riding with his three siblings in the bed.
- A clean ’80s Cutlass.
- Satin black ’57 panel …
- with power …
- and comfort.
- A stock 350 in an El Camino.
- Clever fix of the spare-tire carrier.
- The owner of this pickup, now in his late 50s, has owned it since a teenager.
- A brace of Falcons. This ’63 Sprint coupe, owned by Elena LeBlanc, has a great stance and shaved door handles.
- Hot rod humor.
- Jammin’ to the Jakes.
- Jeff “Kong” Isbell pinstriping.
- www.kongspinstriping.com/
- Kong at work on a Can Am Spyder.
- Lowriders.
- Off-road muscle.
- Old Skool rod.
- Old but new.
- Holleys …
- and headers.
- ’33 old-skooler.
- Is that a wolf whistle?
- A quad with a wheelie bar.
- Austin rat rod.
- The Euro section.
- Bud Moore’s ’39 pickup. Nasty in all the right ways.
- Creative and crusty…
- with humor.
- Dave Pepper’s ’72 Suburban, part of the Sunset trucks club.
- Don Anderson’s ’57 Corvette is the definition of “survivor.”
- It appears all original, even with its age-checked plexibglass backlight.
- Lucky dog!
- Hot Rod Holly, the car (and) dog whisperer.
- Corvette curves. Simple and beautiful.
- Maynard with Hot Rod Holly announcing the 15 winning cars.
- The show had at least a dozen vendors, offering everything from Tommy Bahama shirts to yard-sale treasures.
- Terrariums?
- Beer-can whimsy. I was tempted…
- Cutlery. I bought the big squared-off spoon (upper left on the table). Something I’d always wanted for stirring the bottom of the chili kettle.
- Dan and his savory kettle korn.
- Hot Licks, San Diego’s favorite seller of hot sauces. Dig the habanero-stuffed olives.
- Hot Licks samples, including a Bloody Mary mix.
- There were eight chili cookers this year.
- Some Like It Hot was among the winners and my favorite.
- Jamul Feed Co. had good spice and winning decor.
- Steve’s was the People’s Choice.
The Jamul Kiwanis staged its annual hot rod show and chili cookoff at the renovated Pio Pico RV resort along Otay Lakes Road in San Diego’s backcountry. It was an ideal location and a engaging gathering with about 70 vehicles on view, hot licks by the Jakes, a dozen vendors and eight chili cookers. Proceeds will benefit the Kiwanis’ scholarships.































































