‘Wings & Wheels’ Sunday Santa Paula
Airport a salute to Steve McQueen

Legends never die as will be demonstrated Sunday at Santa Paula Airport where the First Sunday of the Month’s Open House will be dedicated to “The Kind of Cool” the late mega-star Steve McQueen, who spent the last-and happiest-years of his life there.

And the special Wings & Wheels event, much like McQueen, will be a bigger than life offering with airplane, car and motorcycle displays, flying opportunities and a contest for the kids, a photo competition, Aviation Museum tours, gourmet food and snack trucks and even perhaps some celebrities.

All proceeds from the event, free for the public to attend, will benefit The Boys Republic of Chino Hills in honor of McQueen, its most famous former resident.

The Open House will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. but those displaying cars or motorcycles are asked to check in by 9 a.m. (follow the signage at the airport to the separate registration areas). Photographers will be welcomed at 7 a.m. to register for a special photo competition sponsored by Samy’s Camera.

Dale Sumersille, director of operations of the Aviation Museum, said Sunday will be nonstop family fun with a special nod to the legendary McQueen and the organization he credited-Boys Republic of Chino Hills-with turning his life around.

McQueen has been quoted as saying, “If I hadn’t made it as an actor, I might’ve wound up a hood,” a statement that was all too true.

He had a rocky childhood: his father deserted the family early and his mother was an alcoholic that McQueen lived with on and off.

He was a runaway who soon got in serious trouble and wound up at the then-called California Junior Boys Republic in Chino. Essentially a reform school, the experience was good for McQueen, who remained a staunch advocate and financial supporter of the school until-and even after-his 1980 death at the age of 50. 

McQueen loved “Wings and Wheels” becoming a noted race car driver, motorcyclist and later aviator after moving to Santa Paula in the late 1970s and learning to fly from the late Sammy Mason, himself a legend of the sky. Although McQueen and his future wife Barbara Minty initially bunked in his hangar, he purchased a house on South Mountain shortly before his death from a rare form of cancer.

Not only did McQueen remain loyal to the Boys Republic, donating money, time and friendship to help troubled boys, but he was also a “fixture at Santa Paula Airport,” said Sumersille.

As a further nod to McQueen, from 1:30 to 2 p.m. those who knew him are invited to tell of their experiences with the man that preferred to be known only as “Steve.” Those who never met McQueen are still invited to tell of the impression he made on their life. 

Sunday’s salute to the one time world’s highest paid and most famous film star will be heavy on the machines he loved.

All types of vehicles will be displayed at the Santa Paula Airport including the San Fernando Valley Chevy Club, Topa Topa Flywheelers, Porsche 356 Club, Mini (Cooper) Owners of America-Los Angeles, Ural and Triumph Motorcycles, Model As and more, including McQueen’s own famed Porsche.