AutomobileGator
If you are a gearhead or a car enthusiast who needs some inspiration for your classic car restoration, or you simply enjoy browsing America’s best classic car shows, check out some of these popular events across the U.S.
1. MSRA Back to the 50’s Weekend
Voted the USA’s Best Car Show three years in a row, this 3-day show is held each year in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Back to the 50’s weekend is the place to find vintage hot rods and other classics from the 50s and 60s, including rat rods and pre-war antiques. You can buy single or 3-day tickets and stay at the campgrounds. If you are participating in the event and showcasing your car, bring a high-quality car cover for classic cars to protect your vehicle from the elements.
Unlike many other classic car events, there is no competition, just a whole bunch of people showing their love for classic fins, chassis, and wheels. That’s not to say that there is nothing else to do; the event includes a swap meet, craft fair, model car building contest, and live entertainment. The show frequently features celebrity guests, such as Jay Leno (who has one of the most impressive car collections in the country) and Paul Peterson from the Donna Reed Show. If you are registering a vehicle to enter the show, it costs $35 for 3 days. However, if you just want to wander the car corrals, it costs $12 for spectators, and children under 15 years old are free.
2. Iola Classic Car Show
The Iola Classic is a mecca for classic and vintage revheads. The 3-day event, held in Iola, Wisconsin, is one of the largest in the country, with over 100,000 visitors. The event features more than 2,500 show cars to peruse, as well as 4,000 swap lots and 1,000 car corrals for you to show off your classic auto. You can purchase single-day tickets for $15 or 3-day passes for $28, and admission for children under 12 is free. With plenty of campgrounds and other attractions and food stalls to enjoy, it’s an incredible experience for the whole family.
3. Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
Held at the World famous Pebble Beach Golf Links in California, the Concours d’Elegance is a must-see event for any car enthusiast. This year marks its 70th anniversary and, true to its name, everyone comes decked out in their finest with classic cars detailed to perfection. The competition is fierce, with each entry judged on technical merit, elegance, and historical accuracy and preservation. The event draws attendees from all areas of the globe and is considered one of the premier classic car shows in the world.
In addition to the classic car show, the event includes the Pebble Beach Tour, a stunning road trip in classic cars from Pebble Beach along 17-Mile Drive to Big Sur and back again. There is also an auction, a forum for enthusiasts and experts to discuss the latest developments in the classic car scene, and the Pebble Beach Retroauto, which hosts a vast collection of rare collectibles and memorabilia for purchase. Tickets are more expensive than for most other car shows around the country at $400 for general admission. You can also enjoy the full Concours d’Elegance experience with Patrons Patio at the Winner’s Circle tickets for $2,750, where you get a prime view of the best cars on display.
4. Syracuse Nationals
This Upstate NY event is the largest car show in the northeast and takes place over four days in the third week of July. The show attracts approximately 45,000 spectators a day to the fairgrounds to see the 8,000 hot rods. Every square inch of the 376-acre fairgrounds is packed with classic cars, vendors, and activities, such as gasoline alley, car corral, the old skool roundup, and live music.
Several trophies are awarded to show appreciation to the vehicles that make this event a must-see for car aficionados, including the prestigious Winfield award for the best customized classic car or truck. Past finalists have included an eye-catching ‘78 Dodge Magnum with an aquamarine paint scheme by James Burma of Michigan and Dave Jolly from Ontario’s ‘38 Lincoln Zepher with a suicide door and chopped top to transform it into a convertible. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children ages 6-12 at the gate.
5. The Elegance at Hershey
Hershey, PA, the picturesque town beloved for its chocolate treats, brings together collectors and race cars from the WW2 era. The 3-day event, held on the grounds of the 4-star Hershey Hotel, takes place annually on the second weekend in June and includes invitation-only cocktail parties, a charity auction, and a ticketed dinner. The Elegance at Hershey celebrates the finest collection of classic cars while raising money for charity. Beneficiaries include the AACA Library and Research Center and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The event includes The Grand Ascent, a timed hill climb to recreate the early days of the sport that is open to classic cars from different eras. Participants can strike another item from their bucket list by purchasing a VIP ride ticket to traverse the hill with qualified and experienced drivers. The event concludes with a reception for sponsors and participants. The Grand Ascent tickets are $5. Tickets for the Elegance are $20, and dinner tickets are $150.
6. Woodward Dream Cruise
This one-day event takes place in Detroit, MI (Motor City) and is the largest automobile event in the world. Over one million spectators pull up a lawn chair to watch the more than 40,000 coveted classic cars on display. This year, organizers are offering even more gasoline-fueled-awesomeness by hosting an ancillary event to enhance car enthusiasts’ overall experience. Over three days, August 19-21, 2021, the Woodward Dream Show will feature more than 1,000 classic cars and new sports cars that will cruise around the M1 1.5-mile Concourse racetrack, and then park so attendees can see the vehicles up close.
August 19th, attendees can expect to see iconic performance cars, from 1932 deuce coupes to 1960 muscle cars. Saturday 20th features 50 significant cars that shaped American culture, and on August 21st, 20 local clubs will showcase their collectible cars. While the Woodward Dream Cruise is a free event, the Woodward Dream Show costs $100 a day or $275 for all three days and includes food and beverages. Hot-rod legend Bob Larivee Sr. will be a guest at the show selling his book, Hot Rod Detroit.
Discover Classic Cars Around the Country
If you love the beauty and performance of classic cars, you can’t miss these annual car shows, where you’ll get to see the best classics from around the world. If you plan to enter your car into the mix, make sure you take precautions to protect your vehicle with a car cover and a touch-up kit to ensure that it is in tip-top competition-ready condition.
