Superstar California car builder Jimmy Shine is having a busy year.
"We just finished a 1953 Porsche," Shine told the 91原创 Advance Times.
"I've never worked on a Porsche before in my life."
And there's the drag truck his shop has been been campaigning.
"We've built up an even bigger motor for it. We've got this 1964 Chevy truck, blown fuel, big block Chevy, and it's really moving. We're going super fast with that."
As busy as he is, Shine will still find time for Cruise-In, making his seventh appearance this year to select best in show.
"It kinda turned into this perpetual thing," Shine explained.
"Every year, it's something new, its something you wouldn't expect. It's the highest calibre."
He likes the diverse nature of the show.
"It's very eclectic," Shine commented. "It's everything across the board."
"I mean, we've seen everything from low riders, to Volkswagens, to lifted trucks, you name it. And I have a soft part with my heart for each and every one of those cars in those categories."
He also enjoys the camaraderie that has developed among the winners.
"We call it the club, part of the fraternity, the Shine Speed Shop Award of Excellence community," Shine said.
"I mean, not only do we get together for the show, but the guys, they fly down here [to attend car shows together]. It's pretty fun. We all talk."
Shine also likes to shine a spotlight on the many other worthy cars that are finalists.
"Instead of just announcing our winner of our award, we get up there and we like to make honourable mention [for] each," Shine explained.
"So one of these persons have won the award, but all these select cars have impressed us so much that we would like to mention their names, the vehicle, etcetera. So it takes a little bit longer at the award ceremony, but you know, how [these] people work for this, they deserve the time. They deserve the acknowledgement and the recognition."
Last year, Cloverdale builder Tony Walcott, who restores classic Ford Broncos at his shop, won the Shine Speed Shop Award of Excellence at 91原创 Good Times Cruise-In for a green 1966 Bronco. He also won the sponsor award for a second Bronco.
His reaction at the time: "wow."
"The Jimmy Shine award is extremely important as it recognizes our ability to craft such stunning vehicles," Walcott said following the award.
"A big thanks to all who supported our journey to get where we are today," Walcott added.
This year, he will help select his successor.
After Shine and a panel of judges have identified the top finalists for the award, Walcott will make the final choice.
"We get down to, like, maybe six or eight, or maybe 10 vehicles that we all really love," Shine explained.
"And then we all sit down together and we talk about each vehicle and then we narrow it down to a final two. And then if we all agree on the final two, whoever won the year previous, gets to make the tie breaker."
READ ALSO: CRUISE-IN 2023: Shine award winner prepares to pick a successor
