Fanfare: Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix's annual Tune Up party

There were no shortages of traditions being upheld when the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix shut down the Roberto Clemente Bridge for its annual Tune-Up on July 13.

“I finally got a motor,” said racer Colby Schindel of his 1975 BMW, a ride that has consistently shown up to the party without one. “I had it on, but it blew up on Sunday.”

“This is going to be the first foot-pedaled car in the race,” joked his friend, Leon Dixon.

The 800 ticket-holders and countless pedestrians admired the classic and contemporary cars that lined both sides of the span formerly known as the Sixth Street Bridge, where a 1959 Porsche Coupe 356 owned by Dr.Bill Swartz was taking an unplanned breather.

“I just ran out of gas and you can't buy any 110-octane around here. I know I'll be able to siphon some from somewhere,” he said.

Early on, rumors swirled that executive director Dan DelBianco (withMichelle ) had loaned the keys to the 2016 F-Type R Jaguar pace car to a contingent of thrill-seeking contemporaries. A few passed on the opportunity to take on the 550 horsepower or the $110K sticker, but there was at least one who couldn't resist. But was he ready to peel tire?

“If I want you to hear me, I'll let you hear me,” said WTAE's Andrew Stockey.

Later, when it became known that most of the cars were parked with the keys left in the ignition, all bets were off. “We can all take a spin,” said Helen Wylie, co-chairwoman with Lynne Figgins. “I wonder if they'd miss us.”�

Spied wereJohn Putzier, John andDotti Bechtol, Jake Zoller, Nick Bruno, Cathy Buck, Steve Gagne, Frank Ziccarelli, Frank-John Ziccarelli, David Ziccarelli, Dan Dingus, Stan Friedberg, Steve Friedberg, Jim Dolan, Gigi Saladna andDan Taylor.

Kate Benz is a Tribune-Review contributing writer. Send party news to Fanfare@tribweb.com.