What are the "MUST DO" car events?

[Luvchevs]

Hello

I just attended the Detroit Autorama this past weekend after years of wanting to attend. It wasn't as big as I expected but the quality of some of the custom cars was incredible!
I'm from the Toronto, Ontario, Canada area so we don't really get shows of the magnitude of the ones in the USA.
Now I want to put together a list of other car events I "NEED" to get to in the future.
MCACN is already on my list, I'd appreciate your input on other "MUST DO" events!

Thanks,

Dave

[L78racer]

https://www.psmcdr.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/psmcdr/posts/?ref=page_internal

https://www.fastdrags.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/FASTRacingSeries/posts/?ref=page_internal

[big gear head]

I really enjoy the Super Car Reunion, but that's a long way for you to travel. Not a lot of cars, but where are you going to see real COPO cars make 1/4 mile passes wide open?

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

PSMCDR is very close and incredible.

MCACN is a little more of a commitment but it is the ultimate static show.

If you love Chevelle’s NOCC is as good as it gets!!

Ryan W.

PS: going to Toronto this Saturday? See you there?

[MosportGreen66]

Mcacn

[travlnz28]

If you are a fan of a great swap meet you need to go to Portland, Oregon the first weekend of April. It's on par with Carlisle and Charlotte. There are actually two swap meets at the same time that are a shuttle or a short walk away from each other. One is at the Portland Raceway and the other at the Exposition Center. About 3/4 of the Expo Center meet is in enclosed buildings. Plan a day at each meet and a day for a final sweep of both.

[seventieshow]

Car auction week in Scottsdale/Phoenix in January, Grand National Roadster Show Pomona in January, Hot August Nights Reno in August.

It also depends on what your interests are in. For 1962-1972 (roughly) Muscle Cars, Corvettes, and a few surprises, it's hard to top MCACN.

A large Goodguys event, like Columbus (I've been told) is also worth attending.

[bbbentley]

Holley Hot Rod Reunion- Bowling Green, KY. Father’s Day weekend
https://nhramuseum.org/holley-national-hot-rod-reunion%EF%B8%8F/

[CamaroNOS]

There really is only one show and the best part is that it's inside......MCACN

Nothing like it, 500 muscle cars under one roof and the best of the best people are there!

Paul

[NorCam]

Street Machine Nationals in Minnesota July 21-24

https://www.streetmachinenationals.net/StreetMachineNationalsStPaul

[flyingn]

Of course MCACN. Besides that, Hershey in the fall. 1500 of the very best cars from the turn of the century to the 80's. And they have to drive each and every one onto the show field, so thats a show in itself. Very beautiful area too

We also enjoy the Spring Ocean City Maryland car show. 3500 cars registered and another 3500 unregistered cruising the streets for 24 hours a day for 4 days.

[6t7 camaro]

Some of the ones on my list (in no particular order) are: Indy, Bonneville, Amelia Island, Scottsdale, and Hershey.

[Keith Seymore]

Woodward Dream Cruise

K

[Luvchevs]

PSMCDR is very close and incredible.

MCACN is a little more of a commitment but it is the ultimate static show.

If you love Chevelle’s NOCC is as good as it gets!!

Ryan W.

PS: going to Toronto this Saturday? See you there?

Ryan,

I'm planning to go to Motorama this weekend. I've been going to the custom car show at the International Centre for a LONG time! Not sure how many names its had over the years? Unfortunately it ain't what it use to be, too many import vehicles for my liking.

Dave

[Luvchevs]

Woodward Dream Cruise

K

Keith,

I've been to the Dream Cruise a few times. You see everything at the Dream Cruise that's for sure!

Dave

[Charley Lillard]

MCACN, Scottsdale auctions in January, Hot August Nights Reno Nevada.Good-Guys Columbus.

[Rallyegreen68SS]

Related question. If I had to pick just one first gen Camaro show to attend this year, what would it be?

[69LM1]

While not as big as the others, I have really enjoyed the Camaro Nationals.

https://www.camaronationals.org/

BTW- Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Bud Scolastico, a note came out today that he passed. Bud pretty much ran the nationals.

Rich

[69hurstSC]

Mopars in the Park
https://www.moparsinthepark.com/

The 69 Road Runner display this year will be unlike any other display assembled.

[MosportGreen66]

Dave and I love Corvettes at Carlisle. We also enjoy Bloomington Gold and the NCRS National level events. This stuff is geared toward OEM Corvettes of course. I enjoyed the Solid Lifter Showroom from years prior too - also at Carlisle. I would like to branch out to some new shows but time never permits for all the good ones.

Dan

[Luvchevs]

MCACN, Scottsdale auctions in January, Hot August Nights Reno Nevada.Good-Guys Columbus.

Thanks for your recommendations Charley.
I've been to Arizona once for the auctions - Barrett and Russo in January however for the past several years I keep going back to Mecum in Florida in January. I find the Mecum auction to be more realistic and less like a television production.
It would be awesome if the Brothers Collection became available for public viewing, they have so many awesome muscle cars! The Muscle Car of the Week videos are really cool and almost as good as seeing them in person.

Dave

[DW31S]

Pebble Beach.….surprised nobody mentioned it yet. Gooding & Co. Auctions, Indy 500, Scottsdale in January, Amelia Island, Peter Mullins museum in Oxnard, CA.
There are plenty of others (some are no-brainers), but the ones above are not only entertaining, but educational, too.

[Luvchevs]

Pebble Beach.….surprised nobody mentioned it yet. Gooding & Co. Auctions, Indy 500, Scottsdale in January, Amelia Island, Peter Mullins museum in Oxnard, CA.
There are plenty of others (some are no-brainers), but the ones above are not only entertaining, but educational, too.

I too was surprised that Pebble Beach didn't come up earlier. Do they get many American made vehicles there or is it mostly imported exotic cars?

Dave

[markinnaples]

Just an FYI for anyone who visits SW FL: there are two car places worth visiting. One is Rick Treworgy's Muscle Car Museum in Punta Gorda, and the other is The Revs Institute in Naples. Obviously, the Muscle Car Museum is all muscle cars of a decent size but nothing great or too crazy. The Revs Institute on the other hand, is a world-class antique and racing car museum that has some of the best quality and most interesting cars in the world. Every car has a story that is written out for the viewer to read. It's definitely well worth your time if you're in the area, but make sure you go online and get tickets there as they don't do walk-ins.

[RPOLS3]

I like the idea of adding races to the list of shows as many are a must do if you're a car guy. Haven't been to Daytona for the 500 in 10 years, or Indy for 25 years but those 2 should probably be on the list in addition to an NHRA and World of Outlaws event (can you still walk through the pits with a regular admission ticket?). MCACN, Scottsdale auctions, Mecum events (Indy and Kissimmee), SCR, Bloomington, and some of the larger swap meets like Pomona, Jefferson and Carlisle should also be on the list. My parents have been hitting some of the smaller local rural shows and cruises and I've joined them on occasion - in addition to the great people you meet, you'd be surprised what shows up for cars.

[Luvchevs]

Dave and I love Corvettes at Carlisle. We also enjoy Bloomington Gold and the NCRS National level events. This stuff is geared toward OEM Corvettes of course. I enjoyed the Solid Lifter Showroom from years prior too - also at Carlisle. I would like to branch out to some new shows but time never permits for all the good ones.

Dan

Hey Dan,

I'm a real fan of Corvettes and I've been to all 3 events you have listed above.
Have you been to the Bloomington Gold in Charlotte? If so, do you get to see the Rick Hendrick's collection of Corvettes?

Dave

[WILMASBOYL78]

Since you are in Toronto the jump to New York State is pretty easy...here are a few to consider;

Syracuse Nationals https://syracusenationals.com/

Muscle-Palooza https://www.hemmings.com/musclepalooza/

Adirondack Nationals http://www.adirondacknationals.com/

The Hemmings Show is cool and combines a car show with drag racing...Syracuse Show draws a big crowd every year...Adirondack Nationals is also well attended and there is lots to do in Lake George.

All of these shows are easily accessed via NYS Thruway and 87 Northway.

Good luck..

wilma

[TDW]

Very nice weekend show in Frankenmuth Michigan.

http://www.frankenmuthautofest.net/

A week long event, thousands of cars on the final day in downtown Flint Michigan.
https://backtothebricks.org/

[DW31S]

I too was surprised that Pebble Beach didn't come up earlier. Do they get many American made vehicles there or is it mostly imported exotic cars?

Dave

Each year the show has a different “theme” or “invitations” beside the normal categories/classes. For example, one year it was Cobras, one year it was Hot Rods, one year it was the GM Motorama Vehicles, one year it was the cars of the Maharajah’s.
The show itself is a little crowded and the admission price for Sunday isn’t inexpensive, but the days preceding the show is more informal and just as impressive. I’d recommend arriving in town on Tuesday or Wednesday; Thursday is the Rally that starts at the Country Club and ends in Carmel.....a MUST attend!!!

[Northernforce]

Hey Dave
Two great shows near by is the www.fleetwoodcountrycruizein.com by far the best show in Canada-over 4,000 vehicles-bring your walking shoes dates are June 1 and 2 -just 2 hrs down the 401 to London,Ontario also in Bothwell about 2 1/2 hrs from Toronto is another amazing show-this year on August 9th and 10th-presented by www.oldautos.ca they get a few thousand cars-other than the great cars the local volunteer firefighters hold a 50/50 draw-last year the winner took home over $42K (about $33 K U.S.) I went to the LSfest in Bowling Green K.Y. last fall-great event as well!
Keep on Cruising!
Dave

[Luvchevs]

Hey Dave
Two great shows near by is the www.fleetwoodcountrycruizein.com by far the best show in Canada-over 4,000 vehicles-bring your walking shoes dates are June 1 and 2 -just 2 hrs down the 401 to London,Ontario also in Bothwell about 2 1/2 hrs from Toronto is another amazing show-this year on August 9th and 10th-presented by www.oldautos.ca they get a few thousand cars-other than the great cars the local volunteer firefighters hold a 50/50 draw-last year the winner took home over $42K (about $33 K U.S.) I went to the LSfest in Bowling Green K.Y. last fall-great event as well!
Keep on Cruising!
Dave

Thanks Dave.
I've been to the Fleetwood event a couple times, real nice property Mr Plunkett has there!
I've never heard about the Old Autos show, sounds interesting!

Dave

[Luvchevs]

Since you are in Toronto the jump to New York State is pretty easy...here are a few to consider;

Syracuse Nationals https://syracusenationals.com/

Muscle-Palooza https://www.hemmings.com/musclepalooza/

Adirondack Nationals http://www.adirondacknationals.com/

The Hemmings Show is cool and combines a car show with drag racing...Syracuse Show draws a big crowd every year...Adirondack Nationals is also well attended and there is lots to do in Lake George.

All of these shows are easily accessed via NYS Thruway and 87 Northway.

Good luck..

wilma

Thanks for your suggestions Wilma. Seem like some interesting shows.
My wife and I drove to Lake George a few years ago, beautiful drive and really liked the area!

Dave

[TimG]

Road America in Elkhart Lake for the July vintage races. Watching the CanAm cars hit nearly 200 MPH on the rolling four mile race track is heaven. They have about 400 race cars drive into town on Friday night.

[Charley Lillard]

For a Camaro show I think I would still pick MCACN. Pebble Beach weekend has gotten too expensive and at Pebble you can hardly see the cars because they let so many people in. As for the Brothers' Collection they almost have their museum finished. When finished it will be semi open to the public. As in won't be open every day. If you have been to MCACN, that is almost comparable to what the Brothers's Collection is. Let that sink in. Sorry to hear about Bud Scolastico passing.

[kwhizz]

MCACN...……. Hot August Nights..... Automotion in the Wisconsin Dells …...and the Monmouth car show

[Luvchevs]

For a Camaro show I think I would still pick MCACN. Pebble Beach weekend has gotten too expensive and at Pebble you can hardly see the cars because they let so many people in. As for the Brothers' Collection they almost have their museum finished. When finished it will be semi open to the public. As in won't be open every day. If you have been to MCACN, that is almost comparable to what the Brothers's Collection is. Let that sink in. Sorry to hear about Bud Scolastico passing.

Charlie that is exciting news to hear they are working on a museum and it will be open to the public!
I will definitely want to get there, that is for sure!!!

Dave

[Burd]

Dream cruise. It goes for a week strong, you can drive your car, or don’t, party, get a group up, it has it all.
Myself I don’t care for autorama, just a bunch of butchered cars. And when they cancelled the Smokey and the Bandit jump because of a flag, I’ll never go to it again. It can move out to Novi I hope.

[Luvchevs]

How about the Hot Rod Power tour?
Any feedback on this event?

Dave

[Charley Lillard]

I have gone on most of them but it has gotten so big you just drive on the Interstates and stop at huge dragstrips or convention centers etc because they need to park about 4000 cars.

[Tenney]

Well, since the Car Craft Street Machine Nationals have been on hiatus ...

Monterey, MCACN, Woodward (usually same dates as Monterey), GNRS, Bob's in Burbank, and any of many C&C's where you can come and go as you like (seems like there were only a couple just a couple of years ago!). The Petersen hosts a great monthly cruise-in.

[Mr70]

...As for the Brothers' Collection they almost have their museum finished. When finished it will be semi open to the public. As in won't be open every day.

Looking forward to seeing this someday.Do the Brothers have any sisters? :)

[Locker537]

RPOLS3 mentioned it, but an NHRA National event is a must even if drag racing isn't your main thing. Bring the significant other, kids, friends who aren't really into cars, everyone gets a kick out of 300+ MPH.


Does anyone know if someone already compiles all these events into a calendar? I want to plan some trips with my father and am working backwards based on schedules. If I'm going to put them all on my calendar, well, maybe someone else can benefit.

[Luvchevs]

Looking forward to seeing this someday.Do the Brothers have any sisters? :)

ROTFLMAO!!!
Good one Mr. 70!

Dave

[68Tiger]

Very nice weekend show in Frankenmuth Michigan.

http://www.frankenmuthautofest.net/

A week long event, thousands of cars on the final day in downtown Flint Michigan.
https://backtothebricks.org/


X2 The Frankenmuth Michigan show is a well organized event with a lot of nice people. I have been going to it for about 6 years. I believe last year there were aprox. 2,500/3,000 cars. BTW there is a group of guy's who drive in from Canada every year. They have some really nice cars. The Friday night downtown Frankenmuth block party is fantastic! If you go you don't want to miss it.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

X2 The Frankenmuth Michigan show is a well organized event with a lot of nice people. I have been going to it for about 6 years. I believe last year there were aprox. 2,500/3,000 cars. BTW there is a group of guy's who drive in from Canada every year. They have some really nice cars. The Friday night downtown Frankenmuth block party is fantastic! If you go you don't want to miss it.

From Canada?

Who?

Ryan W31

[68Tiger]

From Canada?

Who?

Ryan W31


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