CLASSIC CAR BUFFS SEEK DIVINE INTERVENTION FOR THEIR WHEELS.

Byline: Angie Valencia-Martinez Staff Writer

HANSEN DAM - Donning a Dodgers baseball cap and a stole with hot-rod flames and a checker-flag border, the Rev. Cirilo Bailon on Saturday sprinkled holy water on Tony Carrillo's 1949 Chevy pickup.

Bailon said a quick prayer and made the sign of the cross, asking for divine intervention.

``Dad gave it to me when I was 12,'' said Carrillo, a 30-year-old car fanatic from Hemet. ``The motor didn't run ... You name it, it was wrong.

``I rebuilt the motor, primered it, put on new tires. I made it here. I want it blessed.''

So did a lot of other car owners at the 12th Annual Blessing of the Cars event at Hansen Dam Park, where Bailon, who is visiting from Mexico, was the day's main attraction.

The event's supporting cast featured hundreds of pre-1968 classic cars, hot rods and motorcycles. Some were diamonds in the rough, others breathtaking beauties.

Reven Remo's 1952 lavender Chevy Deluxe turned heads.

``All the girls like it for some reason,'' said the 54-year-old Rancho Cucamonga resident. ``The look. The way they sound. They bring attention.''

Joey Karpowicz asked the priest as he made his way through rows of cars to bless his 1965 Schwinn bicycle.

The 12-year-old Burbank youth custom-built his Neptune green bike using swap-meet parts and other special orders, including a rare antique bell.

Bailon blessed Joey's bike as well as dozens of cars as fathers, mothers, daughters and sons watched.

``The people are asking for a special blessing from God,'' he said. ``Not just for their cars, but also for themselves. They're asking God to stay with the family through their journey.''

With bands like Champagne Velvet playing rockabilly tunes, hundreds of retro rebels sporting greased-up hair, arms full of tattoos and 1950s-style clothing danced and mingled in between quick blessings and a barbecue.

Leo Vasquez, 26, of East Los Angeles owns a 1954 metallic-green Chevy Bel Air. He attended the event with his girlfriend and other members of his car club.

When he first bought it, the car had crashed and wouldn't run.

Six years later, with a new paint job, headers and pistons, it's part of his culture and he wants to show it off.

``In the scene, there's only three things you have to worry about,'' said the self-professed rockabilly. ``The clothing. The music. The car.''

To some, the event was simply a family tradition.

Alex Salazar, 17, has attended every year since he was 10 years old alongside his father, Marc.

``I love old cars. It's history,'' said Marc Salazar. ``I have been working on cars since I was 11 years old. I grew up working on cars.''

Added Alex, ``Modern cars, to me, are boring. I love the metal, the loud pipes ... It's macho.''

Angie Valencia-Martinez, [phone]

angie.valencia(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(1 -- 2) The Rev. Cirilo Bailon, left, splashes holy water on one of the classic cars at Saturday's annual Blessing of the Cars at Hansen Dam Recreational Area. Above, even 1-year-old Justin Higginbotham got involved, riding his miniature motorcycle for the event.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer