Massive Dr. George Car Show for Charity, Indian Wells, California
– 22nd annual event hosted by the Palm Springs Cruisin’ Association
– Staged at the lush Indian Wells 18-acre Tennis Garden
– Wide selection of Mopar® vehicles participated in the one-day gathering
In the resort community of Indian Wells, CA, once a year each February there’s a sizable gathering of hot rods, classics, exotics, muscle cars and historical vehicles of all kinds that are displayed. At this 2025 event, the crystal-clear blue skies and warm weather made for a very pleasant day of enjoying the California car culture. Indian Wells is located 125 miles east of Los Angeles in the Coachella Valley and this event is one of the largest one-day car events in California, some 1,100 entries this year! We found a number of high-quality Mopar vehicles (going from back in the late 1940s all the way to modern Gen III HEMI® Dodge Challengers), with a heathy mix of Mopar muscle and classics from all eras in-between!
The highly organized car show is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Sebastian George, who was a nationally prominent oncologist who was known for his selfless dedication to helping those battling cancer, often working for free to provide care to those that couldn’t afford medical care. Shortly after his passing in 2002, Yvonne McKenzie, a member of the PSCA, convinced her fellow car club members to honor Dr. George (who had helped her beat cancer) in the way of a charity car show in his name, and to give the proceeds to the Desert Cancer Foundation. Over the years, over $1.25 million has been raised for local residents.
And Ms. McKenzie is a dedicated Mopar person, having restored a 1968 Plymouth Road Runner in recent times, as a tribute to her first Road Runner, which she bought brand new in 1968, a black 4-speed car that she raced along with her husband. Her “replacement” Road Runner (the first one was sold in 1975 for $500.00 with just 34,000 miles on it and she’s regretted ever since!) is a 383 car and Mopar parts were purchased from Mopar expert Bob Mazzolini.
It’s clear that with Yvonne’s personal gratitude to Dr. George, her persistence and drive is why this event, along with working with other members of the PSCA, was started all those years back! He had saved her life and this Mopar owner was the reason the event started in the first place, making the event a fantastic Mopar “feel good” story to be sure. Some time back, Yvonne moved out of state with her classic vehicle, but this Mopar lady vows to return to a future event with her cherished Road Runner – how cool is that!
MODERN-ERA CHALLENGERS MAKE THE SCENE
A healthy amount of HEMI engine-powered Dodge Challengers were part of the vehicle assortment at the Dr. George gathering. While production has ended for these iconic modern-era muscle machines, their popularity and desirability has certainly not ended!
Included in the mix besides this SRT® Hellcat Widebody, Shaker-equipped R/T plus convertible conversion, was a rare “Mopar 10 Edition.” With a steady flow of people walking up and admiring them throughout the day, it seems everybody digs modern Challengers! And historically, it’s a car model with huge success that will be relished for a long, long time to come.
CHRYSLER LEBARON WOOD WAGON
1978 saw the introduction of the “Town & Country” station wagon to the Chrysler LeBaron lineup, and with available 360-cid V8 for power. As a throwback to the famous “woodie” Chryslers of yesteryear, the T&C featured marine teakwood woodtone bodyside and lift gate trim, framed with simulated white ash moldings, and complete simulated finger-locking joints add to the full effect. These cars ran on the “M-body” platform, this example has the optional air deflector.
REAL WOOD
1946-48 Chrysler Town & Country models were available as a 4-door sedan “woodies” and featured real wood (white ash and mahogany) and bonded to the steel body panels. With a three-year model run, these big Chryslers were premium-priced vehicles and were described back then as “a warm, clubby sanctuary for the trip to one’s hunting lodge.”
NEW YORKER FOR 1950
With a price of $2,758, the 1950 Chrysler New Yorker 4-door sedan was a big beast, with a shipping weight of 4,190 pounds. This one is in excellent condition and looked like it just rolled out of the dealership! It was the last year of the inline 8-cylinder engine (323.5-cubic inches,135 horsepower) as 1951 model year saw the debut of the “Firepower” HEMI engine, which developed 180 horsepower.
IMPERIAL CROWN CONVERTIBLE
A stunning 1966 Imperial Crown convertible was included in the assortment of Chrysler products at the event, this was the last year of the full frame (X reinforcement on convertibles) and the first year of the 440-cid V8 engine, 350-horsepower and 10.1:1 compression ratio. 129-inch wheelbase, totally off-the-chart 5,315-pound curb weight and listed at $6,146.00.
BIG AND TALL DODGE POWER WAGON
A radical off-road prepared vintage Dodge Power Wagon was shown, these military type rigs were first produced in 1945 and was the first 4×4 medium-duty pickup that was also available for civilian use. This example included modernized suspension which would totally be Baja worthy!
FLAMED PROWLER
Between model years 1997 and 2002, a total of 11,702 Plymouth Prowlers were produced, a V6-powered “modern collectible” with this one displayed at the event having graceful side flames added and the removal of the front bumpers. These mods provides a more “hot rod” flavor as opposed to bone stock condition. Prowlers were an experiment for the corporation in aluminum construction, as it featured an all-aluminum chassis and numerous body panels were made from aluminum. In 2001, they were re-branded as the “Chrysler Prowler” as a result of the ending of the Plymouth Division.
MORE-DOOR VALIANT
“More Door Mopar” is how this ’73 Valiant can be described, a 318-cid “LA” engine fitted with four-barrel carburation. This sedan has been fitted with wider wheels and “oversize” tires and while traditionally, 4-door cars were typically ignored by serious Mopar car enthusiasts (or used as “parts cars”), there has been a small but somewhat growing interest in keeping as many vintage Chrysler-built vehicles on the road as a boulevard cruiser, even if not a 2-door.
RARE FISH
“H-code 383 big block factory-fitted 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S convertible flawlessly restored; a super-rare specimen with a set of era-correct Keystone Klassic “mag” wheels. This is a 1-of-64 car that is a rare sight today!
CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP TOP FUEL
Lou Baney was a mover and shaker in ’60s Top Fuel drag racing and featured as a “cackle” car at the show was the “Baney-Rapp-Lisa-Rossi” vintage nitro dragster, which was fired up on nitro to please the crowd! The detail work is stunning on the car, right down to the “Chrysler Marine” chromed valve covers on the Ed Pink-prepped supercharged HEMI engine. Downey, CA, was home to the Baney Chrysler-Plymouth dealership and Jim Ward was the original driver, and later Tom “Mongoose” McEwen was at the controls. History on wheels!
While it’s not a Top Fuel engine, this “Chrysler Firepower” HEMI engine with six Strombergs on a Weiand Drag Star manifold makes for some appealing eye candy on this traditional hot rod!
CHARGERS FROM THE ’60s
A beautiful 1966 Dodge Charger (the first model year) was displayed, fitted with the 318-cid A-engine that incorporated “polyspherical” combustion chambers. The fastback body design was its major styling cue, and the Charger was based on the “B-body” Coronet platform, a larger car that was not meant to be in direct competition with the Plymouth Barracuda. The design credit goes to Carl Cameron and the grille with its hideaway headlights was known at the time as the “electric shaver” grille. Inside, a one-year feature for the ’66 Charger was the full-length center console that extended all the way into the rear seat area.
Considered one of the most iconic body shapes to ever come out of Detroit, the 1968 Dodge Charger, an R/T model shown here with Magnum 500 wheels with vinyl top. Richard Sias was the designer that penned the now-famous ”coke bottle” side sheet metal and rather than incorporating a full-on fastback design, it incorporated C-pillars that had the “flying buttress” design, giving it a semi-fastback appearance as viewed from the sides. R/T models came standard with the 440-cid “Magnum” engine (as equipped on this example) and only one engine option: the mighty 426 HEMI!
THE MATADOR
A one-year-only car, the 1960 Matador from Dodge. This one fitted with aftermarket rear fender skirts, and came from Arizona, with current license plates from Mexico. The Matador 2-door hardtop ran on a 122-inch wheelbase, and 1960 was the first year of the “unit” construction for Mopar, eliminating the traditional frame (except for top-of-the-line Imperials). 1960 Dodges had rear fins that were positioned in a fashion that stopped about three-quarters down the rear fender, rather unusual to say the least!
1968 PLYMOUTH GTX: NO TRAILER QUEEN
After a full and flawless restoration, this 1968 GTX was put on the road, driven from San Diego to Chicago and back, the Route 66 Highway trek! Originally sold at a Dodge dealer, the car with its standard 440-cid “Super Commando” engine and TorqueFlite® transmission, vinyl roof, tachometer, center console, A/C, 8-track tape player and F70 x 14 Red Streak rubber sold for $4,442.70. A premium muscle car!
SUPER BEES
Equipped with a hinged fiberglass “A12” replacement hood and with a 440 “Six Pack” engine upgrade, this super clean 1969 Super Bee hardtop has dog dish caps and black wheels. It now is a super-detailed car (including V1W Pearlescent White vinyl top) with Butterscotch paint. Creative build!
A 1968 Dodge Coronet Super Bee (Dodge Division’s answer to the Plymouth Road Runner) was part of the desert fun! Owner-added “R/T” grille emblem and “440” logos on the front fenders.
ROAD RUNNERS
“RM21” is factory speak for Road Runner Coupe, this 1969 model from British Colombia, Canada, with large-diameter “kidney bean” themed wheels and 440 engine, retro looks with modernized rolling stock!
1970 Convertible Road Runner (a 1-of-824 production car) in FE5 Rallye Red, 383 Super Commando power, A/C, bucket seats, W23 Chromed Styled Steel Wheels, fantastic restoration and not often seen!
MAX WEDGES MADE THE SCENE
A pair of ’64 Plymouths with 426 Max Wedge “Super Stock” engines were in attendance, one a dedicated drag car with the other more of a street-worthy machine. The “race” version has updated Trick Flow aluminum cylinder heads and a pair of double-pumper Holleys rather than the “old school” original Carter AFB carburetors atop the factory aluminum cross-ram intake manifold.
NASCAR CHALLENGER
For use in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, there was a special “Dodge Challenger” racecar that saw action from 2015 to 2018 and power came from a purpose-built 358-cid Mopar race engine. Brad Keselowski was the driver of the #22 car, with backing from Discount Tire. The pictured car is based out of the Coachella Valley area and sees track time at local Southern California tracks including Willow Springs. Even though there’s “Challenger” markings on the body, it really was not in any way, shape or form based on a production car.
LOYAL AND PROUD: MOPAR PEOPLE
There’s just something about the friendly camaraderie and bonding amongst the Mopar people! While walking the grounds of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, it was a positive experience to chat and visit with Mopar owners and the people that were there that are Mopar fans in general. In fact, for the people we talked with, they were showing their vehicle, but really were celebrating their Mopar make and model; and with that, people came up to applaud their ride. It simply was a fantastic thing to see all involved that have high esteem for Mopar vehicles – it’s a “Mopar loyalty” thing without question.
Among the unique Mopar vehicles and their owners, was a “1 of 514” vintage droptop Imperial, plain-Jane albeit cherished 4-door sedan Valiant (husband and wife enjoying discussing their ride), turbocharged and inter-cooled small-block ’74 Gold Duster and the passionate owner, plus a Knuckle White Widebody SRT Hellcat Redeye Challenger (that turned out to have generated a lot of interest from people that were curious about what exactly it was!) and the owner traveled from far away to participant in the energy of the show with her powerful modern Mopar vehicle. For anyone who digs seeing a variety of high-quality classics and muscle that are all part of the Mopar family of brands, they were there and rocked at Dr. George!
For info on the 2026 running of this always well-attended charity car show, visit the Palm Springs Cruisin’ Association website.
Author: James Maxwell
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