Hey LA: Something To Do Today--``Gold Stars and Cool Cars'' Celebration Benefits CHP 11-99 Foundation

California Highway Patrol and Auto Club Historic Vehicles Plus Modern Hot Rods and Bikes of CHP Personnel On Display At Petersen Automotive Museum

WHAT: Members of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the CHP 11-99 Foundation, a charitable, non-profit organization created to provide benefits to CHP employees and their families, with a special one-day celebration on Sunday, July 28 at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Sponsored by the Automobile Club of Southern California and Ford Motor Co., the Gold Stars and Cool Cars celebration showcases officers' "personal rides" including hot rods, special interest vehicles and motorcycles alongside historical CHP and Auto Club vehicles.

WHO: Expected VIP guests and longtime CHP 11-99 Foundation supporters include actor Erik Estrada, Formula One and Indycar driver and manufacturer Dan Gurney, Indy 500 winner Parnelli Jones and many other celebrities.

VISUALS:

-- More than 100 vehicles from across the state are expected for the event, including actual CHP departmental cars and motorcycles, CHP vehicles used in television and movies. There also will be an actual 1955 Buick road patrol car and the newest CHP field car, a black & white 2002 Camaro with all of its state-of-the-art trappings.

-- A variety of customized and exotic vehicles personally owned by CHP officers, including a drag-racing CHP pickup truck, Ford Roadsters, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Corvettes and souped-up Mustangs.

-- Vintage vehicles from the Auto Club's collection, including a 1936 candy-apple red, hot rod tow truck.

WHEN: Sunday, July 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Petersen Automotive Museum 6060 Wilshire Blvd. (corner of Wilshire/Fairfax)