They filled a myriad of jobs and led the way into the industrial age helping make life on the farm and in the factories a little easier. The Central Coast Vintage Machinery Association returned to Cayucos Aug. 8-9 at the Antique Gas Engine Show in Downtown Cayucos.
These “hit-miss” engines — named for how they sound when working — were displayed doing a number of different jobs, from milling grain to pumping water, and gave visitors a glimpse into how today’s modern age got its start.
Essentially through the use of belts and pulleys, even the smallest of gas engines, usually one cylinder models, could be adapted to do any number of jobs, with overhead belts and pulley systems being used to power factory machinery and take the load off the backs of men and beasts of burden.
This is the 48th year the association has gathered in Cayucos and the first show during the coronavirus pandemic, which forced the cancelation of the show in 2020 and 2021.
The Association has shows in several local communities — Templeton, Nipomo and Santa Margarita, among others.
