Trophy Queens Photo Exhibit Set to Open at Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, Aug. 27

presenting trophies from the ’30s through the ’70s will be unveiled to the public on Wed., Aug. 27 and will run through August 2009. The Aug. 27 opening is also in conjunction with the Museum’s monthly Prolong® Twilight Cruise Night, which takes place later in the afternoon in the Museum’s parking lot.

Trophy Queens represent an important part of American racing lore,” said Tony Thacker, executive director of the Parks Museum. “Trophy Queens injected a shot of glamour to the tough sport of racing, and we are excited to showcase these rare images.”

Some photos of pre-Hollywood starlets who began as trophy queens will also be unveiled, including 19-year-old model named Raquel Tejada, later to become Hollywood actress Raquel Welch.

In 1956, racers were dreaming of “Jeannie” before the TV sitcom hit the screen when a sparkling eyed Barbara Huffman, later to be known as Barbara Eden, presented many trophies before her rise to fame.

Next exhibit coming to the Parks Museum in 08:

The 75th Anniversary of the Ford Model 40 goes from Dec. 3 to spring 2009. Exhibit, sponsored by Steve’s Auto Restorations, highlights one of the most popular hot rod platforms around, the 1933-34 Ford. Among the cars in the exhibit will be three of the most famous: the Billy F Gibbons ZZ Top Eliminator, the Pierson Brother’s Coupe and the Pete & Jake’s California Kid. Also on display will be the Super Bell Coupe, Big Al and the Mooneyham & Sharp 554 car.

Currently on display at the Parks Museum:

- Honoring 60 years of NASCAR: through Mar. 1, 2009.

- Celebrating 60 Years of Hot Rod Magazine: through October 2008

- Coker Tire/Honest Charley Anniversary: “A Tribute to American Ingenuity.” The exhibition celebrates Coker Tire’s 50th anniversary and Honest Charley’s 60th. The exhibit runs through Nov. 16th.

Named for the founder of the National Hot Rod Association, 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.

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST. Current NHRA members are admitted free. Admission for non-members is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors 60 and older, $5 for juniors six through 15, and free for children under the age of five. The Museum is also available for special group tours. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call 909/622-2133 or visit http://museum.nhra.com.

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