HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., June 12, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Considered clunky and unattractive back in the 1950s, the woody station wagon did have one core group of fans -- surfers. Today the classic cars have another set of fans, the Huntington Beach City Council. In a recent move, Council members voted to approve the "woody" as the city's official car.
"The woody is a great symbol of the classic surf culture that Huntington Beach represents," City Council member Jill Hardy said. "This official designation adds to the effort we have underway to brand Huntington Beach with the Surf City USA(r) moniker."
Just last month, the Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau received official registration numbers (3091711, 3088922 and 3088921) for three of the 10 Surf City USA trademark applications it has on file with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The most significant of the three is the registration that gives the Bureau exclusive rights to use the Surf City USA moniker to advertise, market and promote the city of Huntington Beach for economic development. The other two registrations give the bureau rights to merchandize beach-related products including Surf City USA beach bags, clothing and sportswear. In addition, the bureau has signed a deal with Felt Bicycles to offer the first official Surf City USA Beach Cruiser bicycle which will feature a Huntington Beach-inspired sea blue and wood panel graphic scheme, similar to that found on the woody cars. The bicycle will be offered in more than 30 countries including the U.S., starting this summer.
Woodies have a long history with the city of Huntington Beach and have been a part of numerous parades and events such as the annual Fourth of July Parade, International Surfing Museum concerts, Pacific Shoreline Marathon, art openings and other city events.
"Designating the woody as our city's official car certainly fits the image that our Conference and Visitors Bureau is trying to promote," said Huntington Beach Mayor Dave Sullivan. "It's a perfect fit with our image on a nostalgic level."
A woody is a type of car or station wagon that has a portion of its framework and side panels made of wood. Woodies were produced in the 1940s and 50s, and reintroduced in the 1960s. Surfers took a liking to them because they were great for carrying a large number of people, surfboards and equipment. While woodies really did not catch on with the average car buyer in the '50s, now they are considered valuable antiques, particularly if the wood bodywork is in good shape.
The Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau is the designated marketing organization representing Huntington Beach, California. One of the top Southern California vacation destinations featuring premier California beach resorts, Huntington Beach is the ideal location for a California family vacation, California weekend getaway or surfing trip. With eight and half miles of pristine California beaches, Huntington Beach is fast becoming a destination of choice for vacationers and business travelers alike. To plan your Surf City USA vacation or to learn more about Huntington Beach, visit the Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau Web site at www.surfcityusa.com or call 800-729-6232 for a free visitors guide.