Written By: Reagan Metzger, Staff Writer
CARS: The Rickshaws of Riverside have a mission to preserve car culture through their club’s efforts to share their interests with the community.
In the back lots of Harvest Church on Arlington Avenue, every Sunday at 8:00 AM, members of the Rickshaws of Riverside join each other to participate in their widely loved event, “Coffee and Cars.” The Rickshaws of Riverside were established in 1958 by four Riverside Poly High School students who became lifelong companions through their love for cars. Sixty-five years ago, classes at Poly were much more diverse, and many from the car club reminisced on their semesters spent in “shop” where they grew fond of automobiles and other forms of industrial arts. By 1960, the club had about twenty-five members and a year later they were up to thirty-five! The Rickshaw’s were also a very charitable group. Many holidays they held food drives, cleaned highways, raised money for initiatives, and so much more.
Fast forward many years later, the people of Rickshaws possess the same love for cars that they did back in the sixties. They still participate in charitable acts around Riverside and hold many car shows to share their passion with their community and the next generation. Those who bring their cars to the meets are known to spend lots of money and time to restore their vehicles and return them to their former glory. The members have an array of cars dating back to some of the first Ford models, all the way up to the newest Ferreris that money can buy, and some even build their vehicles from scratch! Many fear that car restoration is a dying art, but the Rickshaws have instilled hope in the car culture of Riverside through their attempts to promote the hobby to others. Club president, Ron Barnett, agrees that the Rickshaws have much more to offer than cars, for “it’s comradery,” that makes the group so enjoyable. “What we have here is coffee and cars and it is open to all,” he confirms. There is something for everyone at the Rickshaws of Riverside, so be sure to stop by and say hello to one of many friendly faces and enjoy a variety of timeless vehicles that they have for show.