Classic autos sit in front of Device Brewing Company in Pocket/Greenhaven.

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - On the first and third Friday of the month, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the parking lot at 7485 Rush River Drive turns nostalgic. Fabulous classic cars in bright yellow, cherry red, and shiny aqua blue fill the lot. As I arrive, “A Whole Lotta Shaken Goin’ On” by Jerry Lee Lewis is being belted out over the outside speakers at Device Brewing Company.

 Everette Pace stands in front of his 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe.

I walk up to find Ben Valencia and his friends selling tickets for a raffle.  It’s a “50/50” raffle, which means prize winners receive 50% of the ticket-sale revenue while the other 50% is used to maintain the raffle. This week, there’s a table full of bottles of wine, coffee, auto repair kits, and tools. The kids are included, too. Valencia said, “Each kid here gets a free Hot Wheels toy.” He grins, “We tell them they win it, but every kid gets one."

 A C8 Corvette sits with its scissor doors open.

While guests relax under the patio, noshing on good grub and chatting with the raffle dudes, others walk the lot and admire the cars. Van Watts told me he only lives two blocks away, and this is the first time he’s been. He had his eye on a refurbished 1956 Chevy Impala. He said, “This is just like the one I had when I was in high school in 1962. I worked over the summers for my father, who was a painter, to get that car.” He marveled at the interior: “I can't get over how much space is in these cars compared to today! You can sleep in the back; believe me, people did!”

 Fully restored Chevy beauties sit alongside one in need of bodywork.

I talked to Everett Pace, who gave me ZZ Top vibes which I found out was pretty close to the mark. He told me about his 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe (The band was known for their Eliminator ’33 Coupe popular on MTV). It was in bad shape when he got it; the body was pulled apart, and it didn’t have any wheels. Being a mechanic, Everette knew precisely what to do.

“It took me 2 1/2 years to restore it. When I rolled out of the garage, I drove it to the Autorama and won first place that year,” Pace said. That was the 60th Sacramento Autorama in 2010.

 Purple Perfection rests in the parking lot.

He's been driving it ever since, putting in around 100,000 miles to visit car shows and enjoy the ride. Everette and his pretty yellow coupe are regulars at this event, which he’s been attending for two years.

In the parking lot, owners sit in the camp chairs drinking brews and eager to tell you about their cars. Most have fully restored their autos, while others are okay with keeping the body a bit rough. They tease each other over who’s the best at owning the worst. It’s all about having fun and appreciating the cars. This crew keeps their sense of humor intact, too. Classic car culture enjoys sharing hard truths with a bit of fun via vanity plates like “OLDNFAT” and “BROKENOW.”

 Van Watts remembers his own 1956 Chevy.

Ben Valencia reminded me luxury sportscars from any decade are invited. Feel free to join the group and bring your 1957 Porsche 356, 1960s Jaguar E-type, or your C8 Corvette with scissor doors. And if you are looking to buy a classic, the lot had a 1960s VW Bug in good condition at a reasonable price.

Guests told me there are two other spots to get a regular “classic car fix.” One is Mike’s Tuesday Night Cruise in Elk Grove from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (9139-3 E Stockton Blvd), and the other is Burger Junction at 7900 Florin Road on Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

If you have a spare afternoon, treat yourself to a good car show.