Community Corner
Video: Vintage Car Culture Alive and Cruisin' in Union City
Members of the Bay Bombs Car Club talk about their classic rides, love for community service and why are their cars are called "bombs."
"We're like a family. We hold barbecues, give back to the community and have a good time," said Manuel Miramontes, co-founder of the Bay Bombs car club.
Formed in Union City in 2002, the old school car crew has expanded to two chapters, Contra Costa and the East Bay, and includes more than 40 "bombs."
The term "bomb" was coined to describe cars manufactured between the 1930s through 1950s. During that war era, people would compare the looks of the cars to military bombs.
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"It's an old car with a slight attitude," Miramontes said.
Owning and collecting bombs is largely prevalent in the Latino community, Miramontes said. For some, restoring and cruising the vintage cars has become a family tradition.
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Liliam Landavazo, 18, Bay Bomb's youngest member, said her father owns a few bombs and gave her a vintage truck. Miramontes said almost everyone in his family owns a classic car and claims their passion just runs in their blood. In fact, Miramontes' nephew founded an offshoot car club, Familia, for muscle cars from the '60s and '70s.
Bay Bombs has become so well-known that producers for the critically acclaimed 2009 film La Mission asked Miramontes to repair and restore the 1942 Chevrolet driven by actor Benjamin Bratt's character.
Members admit owning and restoring the cars can get expensive. The price tag ranges from $30,000 to $50,000. And in order to maintain their priceless possessions, members say they work hard at their jobs to save every penny.
But they don't just save funds for themselves, members also raise funds for charity events and scholarships.
This year, Bay Bomb rewarded two Logan High School seniors with $1,000 "Cruisin' for Higher Education" scholarships.
Aside from community service, the members also rent out their services as chauffers, providing rides to local weddings, anniversaries and other social events in their bombs.
Bay Bombs will hold its annual Union City car show on Aug. 27 at Kennedy Park, showcasing vintage cars of the 1930s to 1950s. The show will be a family-friendly event to raise funds for the club and its activities.
In the video report, Patch contributor Richgail Enriquez shares more about the people driving the infamous vintage wheels.
