Liviu Marcus
For gearheads and car fans who want to do restorations to their classic cars or simply just love looking at some of the country’s best classic car shows, these popular events across the US should be on their bucket list.
1. MSRA Back to the 50’s Weekend
Voted the USA’s Best Car Show for three years in a row, this show is a three-day show that is held every year in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Back to the 50’s weekend comprises all the model vehicles from the 50 and 60s like vintage hot rods and rat rods in addition to pre-war antiques. Tickets are either twin up or 3-day, and staying overnight in the campgrounds is allowed. Make sure that you bring a good cover, if you will be demonstrating your car and preserve the classic car from the elements like the rain, snow, and harsh sunlight.
Instead of a lot of other traditional classic car events, there is no competition – just a great number of people who come there with their hearts for classic fins, chassis, and wheels. However, this doesn’t mean that there’s nothing else to do because a model car building contest, live entertainment, swap meet, and craft fair will also be on. The series frequently has celebrity guests like Jay Leno (who owns one of the largest car collections in the U.S.) and Paul Peterson from The Paul’s Show. While vanities are charged $35 to cover 3 days of show participation, special artist entries are charged on a per show basis. Nevertheless, if you are just going to walk the car corrals, it is $12 for spectators, and children under 15 get in free.
2. Iola Classic Car Show
The Iola Classic is the icon of the classic and vintage fanatics. The 3-days event, hosted on a particular day of the year in Iola, Wisconsin, is among the largest in the country {USA}, and has more than 100 000 visitors. The exhibition, set to come up, hosts more than 2,500 vehicles to browse; and also 4000 dealers and 1000 car corrals, for the classic auto users to showcase their cars. An one-day pass will cost you $15, and a 3-day pass is available at a price of $28; children under 12 years old are admitted free of charge. You’re in for the best time of your life with many campgrounds and other stunning attractions to take advantage of in addition to the likes of food stalls; the entire family gets to enjoy it.
3. Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
Organized at the World-known Pebble Beach Golf Links in California, the event is absolute must-see for any car aficionado. This year is the 70th anniversary and faithful to its title, this is demonstrated by the fact that each person is elegantly attired with flawless classic cars. The competition is high, entrants will be evaluated based on technical contribution, infringement on style and history and preservation. The show pulls in guests from all over the globe and has been routinely referred to as the most prominent classic car show in the world.
Aside from the classic car show, the event also has the Pebble Beach Tour, which is a beautiful driving tour in classic cars from Pebble Beach along 17-Mile Drive to Big Sur and back. There is an auction happening, where experts along with enthusiasts can have a discussion about the latest objective in the classic car scene. Pebble Beach Retroauto is a forum for sales of a collection of rare items and collectibles. Tickets are pricier than for a vast majority of other car exhibitions around the country at $400 for general admission. Fans of the Concours d’Elegance also have access to a Limited Patrons Patio at Winner’s Circle tickets that go for $2,750 where they have a perfect summer garden view of the best cars.
4. Syracuse Nationals
This annual upstate NY event is the biggest car show in the northeast and covers four days usually in the third week of July. From year to year, 45 thousand people flock to the fair each day to enjoy the over 8000 reasons. That’s why hot rods are their theme. Every bit of the 376 acre fairgrounds is use up by classic car, vendors as well as activity ranging from gasoline alley, car corral, old school roundup right down to live music.
Multiple trophies are handed out, first of which being a special Winfield award for the best retrofitted classic car or truck, making this event the dream of many for the aficionados. Previous runners-up were the ‘magnum’-blue chevrolet dodge from Michigan constructed by James Burme and the car from Ontario ‘38 Lincoln Zepher with chop top and suicide door built by Dave Jolly. Tickets $25/ each for adults and $10/ each for children ages 6-12 at the gate.
5. The Elegance at Hershey
Hershey, PA, the sleepy town connected in the hearts and minds of the entire nation, will become a site of a great amalgamation of WW2 kit cars and car enthusiast clubs. The 3-day event, that takes place on the grounds of the 4-star Hershey Hotel on the second weekend in June and includes invitation-only cocktails, auction a charity and a ticketed dinner, takes place annually. The Elegance at Hershey is dedicated to the sublime collection of the best classic cars while outside the course for charities. Beneficiaries for the AACA’s library and research center benefit from this as well as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The showcase of The Grand Ascent is the timed hillclimb which is a recreation of the first days of the sport and is open to classic cars built different decades. Apart from all these, there is an added fun which participants can strike by purchasing the VIP ride ticket that allow them to glide over the hill with the help of the professional drivers. The reception for the sponsors and participants will take place at the end of the event. The Grand Ascent tickets are 5$. The tickets for the Elegance are $20 and cutting board tickets are $150.
6. Woodward Dream Cruise
The one-day exhibition location is Detroit, MI (Motor City), the entire world’s largest auto show. From last year’s 1.1 million spectators willing to bring a lawn chair to be awed by the more than 40,000 classic cars make it special. This year, the organizers of the event are anticipating an even bigger turnout by allowing more car fanatics to participate in their additional event which shall give the viewers an outside-the-box feel. On the days from 19.08. up to August 21, 2021, the woodward dream show is planned to be held in the area of the motorway M1 where more than 1000 historical cars, antique and modern sports cars will cruise around the site. Exhibit first through a 5-mile Concourse drive-thru, and then park so people can be near the vehicles.
On August 19th anyone interested can also expect to see performance cars, including the ‘32 deuce coupe and the ‘60 muscle cars. August 20th is the day of 50 “hallmark” car models that affected not only the American but global culture. And on August 21nd, car clubs will present their collectibles. Whereas, the Dream Cruise on Woodward costs nothing, the Dream Show on Woodward requires payment of a $100 fee for a single day or $275 for all three days along with food and beverages. Bob Larivee Sr. is tracing similar footsteps like hot-rod legend. He will be the guest at the show selling his book, Hot Rod Detroit.
Discover Classic Cars Around the Country
If you are a fan of unique beauty and speed of classic cars, then these annual car shows will be too much for you because you will be able to admire the best classics from around the world. Of course, if you are going to bring your car into the mixture, make sure that you take necessary actions to protect your vehicle by employing a car cover and a touch–up kit such that it is in its top competitive shape.
