Gearheads Rev Up Main Street For Classic Car Show

From Los Alamitios Patch: Gearheads Rev Up Main Street For Classic Car Show
Nothing says Seal Beach like sun, surf, and classic cars. Today, the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce’s 25th Annual Classic Car Show had all three.

The smell of car exhaust masked the smell of the ocean and marked the beginning of today’s event.

At 10:45 a.m. this morning, nine dragsters lined the Seal Beach pier and took turns firing up their eight-cylinder engines as the crowd plugged their ears and cheered.

Ed Oe, who supplied the show with several Ford F100s from 1953-56, summed up the event: “Nice vendors. Nice cars. Nice crowd.”

Main Street virtually glimmered as the sun gleamed off more than 500 perfectly waxed classic cars. There were roadsters and dragsters, muscle cars and even one Indy race car. Three bands set up along the strip provided classic rock ambiance to the spectators, who were never far from a variety of food and art vendors.

Always surrounded was the crowd favorite--an original Helms Bakery truck. Diane Thomson was one of many on-lookers who stood reminiscing by the car.

“Good memories,” Thomson said. The Helms truck would drive down her street when she was a kid and pulled out those long drawers in the back so she could pick out her 10 cent donut.

“And they were darn good donuts, too,” added Thomson.

Legendary drag racer Shirley Muldowney’s 1977 Top Fuel Dragster was another highlight of the show.

Behind each car were the proud owners sitting in their fold-out chairs. Mark Demers, Gary Ulmer, and Bob Barker are three car show veterans.

Mark, who has six show cars, chose to show off the purple 1969 Camaro he bought several years ago and restored.

Gary, who has known Mark for 30 years, decided four years ago to buy the red 1960 Ford Mustang he’s always wanted so he could join the guys in showing off his classic car.

“It’s a guy thing,” Gary describes of the car show experience.

Don't tell that to the hundreds of women who turned out Saturday to indulge their inner gear-head.

Classic car surprise

From SunGazette: Classic car surprise
A Fairfield Township man's classic car recently earned a spot in the "Oscars of car shows" at the New York International Auto Show held earlier this month.

Michael Smith, who owns a fully restored 1965 Chevrolet 409 Impala, was sought out by Mark Reuss, the president of General Motors, North America, to have the car included in a special presentation unveiling the new 2014 Impala at the show.

Smith said Reuss was looking for months to find the right classic Impala to include in the unveiling. General Motors doesn't even own one of the classic 409s because of its rarity, Smith said.

"It caught me out of the blue when they called me up," Smith said about being contacted to give permission to have his Impala shipped to New York City for the show.

According to Smith, the General Motors president was put in touch with him from connections he made at a 2010 car show in Vermont sponsored by Hemmings Motor News. Smith's Impala won the "Favorite Chevrolet" award at that show.

The editor of that publication, Mike McNessor, forwarded information about Smith's classic car to Reuss.

Smith and his family received VIP passes for the New York International Auto Show and got to see his Impala in the spotlight before hundreds of auto industry reporters and enthusiasts.

"It was very impressive," Smith said. "There were cars from all over and every brand you can think of - Camaros to Rolls-Royces."

The 1965 409 Impala is rare because only about 2,800 out of 1 million Impalas from that year were built with the 409-cubic-inch engine, Smith said. Chevrolet discontinued the 409 early in 1965, he said.

"The styling of that car is very unique," Smith said of the 1965 409 - a car made famous in part from the famous Beach Boys song.

It might be seen as somewhat of a muscle car today, but the car was marketed differently.

"They pushed it as a big family car," Smith said.

Countless hours went into restoring his Impala. It took about two years to find parts and do the body work on the car, Smith said. He credited Ed Stroble, of Nesbit, with performing the restoration, while Smith tracked down parts from all over the country.

The Impala had a local connection before Smith purchased it at an auction. It originally was sold from a car dealership in Lock Haven.

Smith's car has won first place in its class the past two years at the Carlisle car show and won a national award from the Antique Automobile Club of America based in Hershey.

He estimates the value of his Impala is between $120,000 and $150,000.

Smith, an avid classic car collector, said he likes to add cars from all decades to his lineup. He has 12 classic cars - from a 1930s Model T Ford to a 1970 Chevrolet Corvette.

Hundreds of vintage cars converge on Payson this weekend

From Payson Roundup: Hundreds of vintage cars converge on Payson this weekend
The 19th Annual Beeline Cruise-In Car Show is not an official Arizona Centennial event, but you can bet it will be a party when between 200 and 300 antique, vintage and classic cars decorate Green Valley Park Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28.

See the The Rim Review in today’s issue for all the details, with features on the “before and after” look of many entries.

The popular cruise parade around Payson starts at 4 p.m., Friday at the park and heads west on Country Club, up Vista to Airport Road, and then down to Highway 87 — the Beeline for which this great spring event is named. It heads up Beeline to the roundabout at Tyler Parkway, where it will head east and then go south to Highway 260. From there, the parade goes west and hooks up with the Beeline again, heads south and then west on Historic Main Street, ending at the park.

The balance of Friday’s activities at Green Valley Park are geared for the car show entrants, club members and sponsors, and will include car registration, an evening barbecue and entertainment with music, stories of old Payson and dancing.

The free car show opens at 8 a.m., Saturday, April 28 and will include raffles, judging of the vehicles, oldies music, and items for sale, plus a food court.

At the close of the show, the raffle winners get their prizes and the car owners get their trophies. New awards this year include the Top 10 and the Best of Show.

The Rim Country Classic Auto Club will host the event, which had its beginnings in the early 1980s when a few people shared a common interest in restoring and driving classic cars. They met and talked about their cars — “lied to each other,” is how early member Larry Bertram described those first meetings, held at Phil White Ford in Star Valley (now Steve Coury Ford). Club membership has grown from 12 in 1933 to more than 72 today.

The Rim Country Classic Auto Club has it regular meetings on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Tiny’s Restaurant and members participate in car-related activities ranging from day trips, breakfast or lunch, visits to local retirement homes or the Prescott VA Hospital, to longer cruises including the “Route 66 Fun Run” in Seligman, Ariz.

In 1994 Rim Country Classic Auto Club members held their first car show with six entrants to help charities in the town of Payson. This event has grown from a small, local event to one of the premier car shows in Arizona.

The past shows have attracted more than a 1,000 visitors each year and generated an estimated $450,000 in income for local business over the past 18 years.

Classic cars to tour Truro after 1,500 mile Cape to Cape Rally

From This is the West Country: Classic cars to tour Truro after 1,500 mile Cape to Cape Rally
Classic cars including Jaguars, Porsches and Volvos will be hitting the streets of Truro this week for the spectacular finale of a 1,500 mile rally from Scotland to Cornwall.

The Truro Classic Car Challenge will welcome more than 40 vintage vehicles on Sunday, April 29 for a circuit of the city’s roads and display on Lemon Quay.

It’s the conclusion to the 9th Grand Tour Cape to Cape Rally from Cape Wrath in the Highlands to Cape Cornwall, which attracts drivers from all over Europe.

Both the rally and the Truro Classic, which takes place from 10.30am to 12.30pm, will raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, with hopes to raise a five-figure sum.

Dennis Greenslade, event director, said: “The Cape to Cape Rally has been described as the toughest classic car tour in Europe.

“The Truro Classic is the final test in this endurance event which tests driving skill, physical stamina, navigation and vehicle engineering. We also hope to raise even more money for Macmillan Cancer Support.”

One of the drivers taking part is Barbara Morris, from Surrey, who has terminal cancer but is looking forward to taking part in her 1953 Singer SM.

Barbara: said “Competing in the Cape to Cape Rally gives me a personal challenge and gets the wind in my hair! This is me doing my bit to help other people benefit from the great support that Macmillan provide.”

Over the last eight years, the Cape to Cape Rally has raised more than £420,000 for Macmillan Cancer Car. Organisers hope to reach the £500,000 fundraising mark this year, and there will be a street collection throughout the Truro Classic Car Challenge.

If you wish to be involved in fund-raising, please email Chris Robins, Volunteer Chairman of Truro Macmillan fund-raising committee and Cornwall area Chairman on fundraising@macmillian.org.uk.

For more information about the Truro Classic Car Challenge, please contact Becky at Event Cornwall on becky@eventcornwall.co.uk or call 01872 888089.

Minnesota: Classic cars come to town for annual auto event

From Daily Globe: Classic cars come to town for annual auto event
WORTHINGTON — The Minnesota Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America descended on Worthington Friday and Saturday for its annual “Spring Fling.”

“The local chapter, Prairieland, is sponsoring this one, so we have people coming from all over Minnesota and some from Wisconsin,” said Jim Jose, who helped organize the event. “It’s called the Spring Fling. We do this every year. We get together somewhere and tour around and visit with each other and see the town that we’re coming to. Marv Spomer’s place is a featured thing that we’re doing.”

Through the club, approximately 60 people were in town showing off around 20 classic cars.

“Some people who came a long distance might drive a modern car,” Jose said.

The group picked Worthington for many reasons, but one of those being a chance to tour Marv’s Car & Sign Museum.

“I’m the Ford dealer in Madelia and I’ve known Marv for 35 years with both of us doing collector cars,” Jose said. “That’s the main reason we’re coming is because of Marv’s place.”

Jose brought his own classic car — and a rare one, as well.

“I’m driving a ’54 Ford with a glass top,” he said. “It’s a very rare car. It’s the first year they made them. They only made them for three years, ’54, ’55 and ’56, with the glass top over the front seat. This is my wife’s car; she’s owned the car for 37 years. We’ve had it all over the United States.”

He first started becoming interested in antique automobiles a long time ago.

“My dad bought his first collector car in 1949 and he bought a 1917 Model T, which we still have in the family,” Jose said.

Along with the annual “Spring Fling,” Jose’s love for automobiles leads him all over the country.

“We go all over the United States from the East Coast to Phoenix and we’re in three different car clubs,” he said. “This is our vacation every year. This year we’ll be in Ohio, and we’ll be going up into Canada and all over the country.”

Jose also has his own museum behind his house, where he can show off some of his collector items.

“It’s something like Marv’s, but not quite as big,” he said.

The group had a full schedule during the two-day event.

They started with a bus tour of Worthington and also visited Buffalo Billfold Co. and Panaderia Mi Tierra bakery on Friday.

On Saturday, the group toured Pioneer Village in the morning and had lunch at the Dayton House.

“The Dayton House has been a big draw for us, too,” Jose said. “Everybody across the country is familiar with the Dayton family.”

In the afternoon, group members went to Marv’s to take a tour of the museum.

“We do a lot of running around,” Jose said. “We don’t really display our cars during this kind of deal. We’re in to see the area. It’s not a car show, it’s a car tour. We’re touring around Worthington.”

Following the museum, the group took a car tour around Lake Okabena.

The event concluded Saturday night with a banquet at BenLee’s.

“I’m impressed with them; they are doing a good job at BenLee’s,” Jose said. “And Darlene (Macklin) at the Chamber has been just super. I’ve never had anybody so enthusiastic and so organized to help show off Worthington to us.”

And for Worthington, it was a chance to show off the sights to a group of people from around the region.

“This is the Minnesota and part of Wisconsin chapter,” Jose said. “People will be coming from northern Minnesota and Minneapolis over into Wisconsin. This one is a regional event.

“There are a lot of neat things in Worthington to show off and see.”

English classic cars under the hammer

This 1946 Jaguar Mk IV saloon is just one of a number of beautiful machines on auction at Stephan Welz next week.

From IOL Motoring: English classic cars under the hammer
Auctioneer Stephan Welz & Company has announced the inclusion of four distinctive lots in the Collectable Cars section of its Johannesburg Auction set for next week.

The event will open with a 1946 Jaguar Mk IV sedan, complete with wire wheels, a sliding roof and a 3.5-litre engine. This fully-restored classic is expected to fetch between R240 000 and R280 000. Second, a 1993 model Bentley Turbo R luxury sedan in excellent condition will go for between R450 000 and R480 000, say the organisers.

There’s also a 1958 Austin Healey 100/6 BN-4, estimated to sell for between R320 000 and R350 000, a fine example of a vehicle notable for durability and power. The well known three-litre was originally supplied with extra rear seating to accommodate a sporting family Sunday drive.

FERRARI MEMORABILIA

A Ferrari Memorabilia Collection, expected to go for around R25 000, offers an excellent opportunity for collectors of the legendary brand. Included are a Ferrari banner; a large out-of-print poster of Ferrari cars, numerous Ferrari books, brochures and pictures, a small Dino tin gas pump, a Momo Volante F1 Ferrari steering wheel (no 88/14), a labelled bottle of Champagne and a ceramic bottle model of a 246 Dino.

The auction will take place from Tuesday 24 to Thursday 26 April at 13 Biermann Avenue in Rosebank. - Star Motoring

Danville Vintage Cars Museum, Blackhawk Museum, Announces Lecture with West Coast Racer Lou Brero Jr.

PR: Danville Vintage Cars Museum, Blackhawk Museum, Announces Lecture with West Coast Racer Lou Brero Jr.
Blackhawk Museum, a nonprofit vintage automotive museum in Danville, is hosting a Saturday morning lecture featuring West Coast racer Lou Brero Jr.

Danville, CA (PRWEB) April 20, 2012 -- Blackhawk Museum, a Danville, East Bay and Bay Area museum featuring vintage cars, classic cars and rare cars, is excited to announce the latest featured guest in its Saturday morning lecture series: West Coast racer Lou Brero Jr. The lecture with Brero will take place on May 5 at 10 a.m. and is free with regular admission to the museum.

"Join us for the return of racing champion Lou Brero Jr. to the Blackhawk Museum,” Jon Snyder of Blackhawk Museum said. “You will be on hand to hear some great stories about West Coast Racing in the 1950s and 1960s."

Both Lou Brero Jr. and his father were known for their driving skills and highly competitive spirits. The Breros raced everything from their Kurtis-Cadillac to C-Type Jaguars, as well as the 1953 Ferrari 375 Spider--the same car that had been driven by Phil Hill, Ken Miles and Carrol Shelby.

“Both Breros were legends that managed ‘superior performances with hard to drive machinery,’” Snyder said.

The Blackhawk Museum features a wide array of exceptionally immaculate vintage cars that span the entire course of automotive history. The Blackhawk Museum’s automotive exhibition of International Automotive Treasures presents and displays historically significant and artistically inspired classic cars for public enjoyment and educational enrichment.

For more information about the lecture or Blackhawk Museum, call 925-263-1857, view the museum on the web at http://www.blackhawkmuseum.org or visit 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville.

About Blackhawk Museum

Blackhawk Museum is an East Bay classic cars museum. This Bay Area rare cars museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. It is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and during special holiday hours every Monday and Tuesday before Christmas, and every Monday and Tuesday after New Year’s Eve. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and free for children 6 and under.

Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show

From the Los Angeles Wave: Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show
Sponsored by George Cross & Sons, Inc., each of the seven events per year you will find hundreds of vendors in over 2,500 vendor spaces selling tons of hard to find car parts and accessories at low swap meet prices. Thousands of original and restored vehicles (many for sale, some just for show) from all across the country are displayed by their owners in five distinct Cars for Show & Sale Areas: Pre 1975 Classics, Corvettes, Porsches, Pre 1959 Street Rods and Pre 1975 Volkswagens. The event attracts a diverse and international audience, with up to 20,000 spectators each show.

Since 1975, millions of classic car enthusiasts have come from around the globe to the West Coast’s Largest Classic Car, Corvette, Porsche, Street Rod & Volkswagen Swap Meet & Car Show – The Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show. Car parts, accessories, customs and classics are all available to those who come to buy, come to sell and come to look. General admission is $8, children 12 and younger admitted FREE. Parking is at Gate 17 on Fairplex Drive For more information visit: pomonaswapmeet.com

Kansas: C.A.R.S. Club Show 2012 Includes National TV Host, Youth Judging, Classic Cars

From McPherson College, McPherson, KS: C.A.R.S. Club Show 2012 Includes National TV Host, Youth Judging, Classic Cars
The 13th annual C.A.R.S. Club show at McPherson College will including a national television host speaking and taping a show, an opportunity for youth to have a turn at judging cars and a special focus on Full CCCA Classics.

The weekend’s events will kick off on Friday, May 4 at 5:30 p.m. with the cruise-in down Main Street in McPherson. That will be followed on-campus by an open house reception in the automotive restoration facility and a special dinner and presentation by national television host Wayne Carini at “An Evening With Automotive Restoration” dinner.

Carini is host of “Chasing Classic Cars” on the new Velocity Channel by Discovery. On the show, Carini seeks out rare and exotic vehicles to buy, sell and restore and tours exclusive and private collections of automobiles. He has worked on rare vehicles owned by celebrities such as David Letterman, tennis star Ivan Lendl and the DuPont family; he’s been featured in the “New York Times” and a number of automotive magazines; and he owns and operates several businesses in Portland, Conn. F40 Motorsports buys and sells rare classic cars and Carini Carozzeria is a restoration shop, where Carini devotes most of his work.

While on campus, Carini will share stories about growing up in with people passionate about restoration and his commitment to develop the next generation of classic car enthusiasts. He’ll also be taping students in the restoration program and the C.A.R.S. Club Show on May 5 to appear in an upcoming episode of “Chasing Classic Cars.”

The show will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 5, and will include tours of the restoration building, a team of students assembling a fully functional Model T from a pile of parts in less than 15 minutes – twice – and a faculty demonstration by Ed Barr, assistant professor of technology, showing how students in the program work with sheet metal.

Shane Dresser, junior, McPherson, Kan., and president of the C.A.R.S. Club, said he was looking forward to all the show had available.

“I’m really excited for this year’s show,” he said. “The members of C.A.R.S. Club have really been gearing up their efforts to ensure it will be a success and I believe it will be evident on the day of the event.”

One of the most exciting offerings of the program is the youth judging program – Hagerty’s Operation Ignite – is returning for 2012. The program gives young people the opportunity to get up close with great classic cars and ask questions directly of their owners as they make their own judgments about cars in the show. The event is free for youth to participate in, but reservations are recommended to make sure there are enough materials for everyone.

This year is also being named “The Year of the CCCA Classic” in honor of the Classic Car Club of America. To mark this, the show is introducing a category this year for for Full CCCA Classics – defined as cars 1925-1948 recognized by the CCCA for their exceptional styling, engineering, performance, high price and limited production.

Richard Dove, assistant professor of technology, plans to bring his Full CCCA Classic, an award-winning 1936 Auburn convertible sedan.

“I’m thrilled that students have chosen to feature Full CCA Classics,” Dove said. “They are a great example of our mission to teach authentic restorations of historical automobiles.”

“An Evening With Automotive Restoration”
* Featuring Wayne Carini, host of “Chasing Classic Cars”
* 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 4, following Cruise-in at 5:30 p.m. and tours from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
* Main Street McPherson (Cruise-In), Templeton Hall (Tours), Mingenback Theatre (Dinner)
* Reservations: Deb Wagoner, 620-242-0491, wagonerd@mcpherson.edu

C.A.R.S. Club Car Show
* 9 a.m.-4 p.m., May 5
* McPherson College Campus
* $10 for pre-registered vehicles; $15 to register day of show. Free to the public to attend.
* Reservations for Hagerty’s Operation Ignite youth judging: Tabetha Salsbury, 231-313-7475, tsalsbury@hagerty.com

Phila. neurosurgeon's classic car museum

From Philadelphia Daily Journal: Phila. neurosurgeon's classic car museum
Philadelphia museum of classic cars is doing more to make itself known.

The Simeone Automotive Museum, which features a collection of cars acquired over five decades by Philadelphia neurosurgeon Dr. Fred Simeone, is tucked away near the Philadelphia International Airport.

New ads, created by car photographer Michael Furman, aim to broaden the audience, including attracting more women.

The museum said it is changing its emphasis from a collection of race cars to a museum “housing cars of beauty and historic merit.”

It is also using the collection (see slideshow at right for a sampling) as a backdrop for fashion shoots. Other themes will include stories about cars that were owned by film stars, racing legends and royalty.

The repositioning will be announced through social media, blog posts and advertising.

Fred Simeone was affiliated with Pennsylvania Hospital for 30 years, but he spent countless hours (and dollars) traveling the world in search of classic cars. The museum opened in 2008.

His collection includes a Mercedes found after World War II that had been hidden from Nazis in a barn, then left behind after the owners fled.

Other cars include a 1916 Stutz Bearcat, a 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS, a 1950 Allard J2 raced at Watkins Glen, a 1954 Austin-Healey 100-4 used in speed trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats and two Ferraris raced at Le Mans.

A Hudson Hornet Motor car will be shown at the Franklin Institute’s April 21 science fair.

The museum is at 6825 Norwitch Drive in Philadelphia.

Concours showcases exotic, classic cars

From the Advocate: Concours showcases exotic, classic cars
The most amazing fact about the Live Oak Concours d’elegance is most of the cars are owned by Baton Rouge residents.

Yes, those exotic racers, those European jewels standing along City Park’s golf course green — most of them can be found in somebody’s garage somewhere in the Baton Rouge area.

“And people don’t know it,” Jeff Cobb said. “We’re having some cars brought in from other parts of the world, but people don’t realize that most of the cars we have are right here in Baton Rouge.”

And Cobb will make them aware beginning Friday, April 13, when the third Live Oak Concours is staged on the City Park Golf Course. He didn’t know the exact number of cars to the shown earlier in the week — he was still accepting submissions.

But he did make a prediction of at least 100.

That’s 100 exotic and classic cars that aren’t found at the usual car show fare.

“We’ll have a Talbot Lago GP racer,” Cobb said. “How many times do you get to see a car like that in Baton Rouge?”

Cars in past shows have included a 1928 Fraschini Tipo 8A, a 1930 Austin Seven Chummy and a daily driver 71 Lamborghini Espada. Vintage motorcycles also will be in the roundup.

Cobb is the owner of Jeff Cobb Auto Works. He began coordinating this show in 2009 to raise money for cancer charities in Baton Rouge. The show returned in 2010 and was on hiatus in 2011.

Cobb is bringing back the show this year, along with a lineup of guests and activities.

Scheduled to appear are Tom Tjaarda of Turin, Italy, who will make his third visit to the show. He is the designer of the De Tomaso Pantera, Fiat 124 Spider, Ferrari 330, GT 2+2, Ferrari 365 GT California Spider, Shelby Series 2 1963 Corvette Rondine and the Serenissima for Count Volpi, along with 74 other car designs.

Also appearing will be vintage racer Anatoly Arutunoff, who will share stories, books and adventures that span more than 50 years of Italian and American car racing and creating.

And Live Oak Concours posters by New Orleans artist Lory Lockwood will be on sale. Lockwood specializes in automobile and motorcycle fine art prints in the photorealism style. The style is detailed, focusing on chrome reflections, soft colors and abstract patterns.

A portion of the poster sales will benefit cancer charities.

As for events, the Concours will kick off on Friday, April 13, with dinner and drinks for Tjaarda and Aruntunoff in the Baton Rouge Gallery.

Activities continue with a Country Side Cruise on Saturday, April 14. Participants will meet at 6:30 a.m. at the golf course, and the event begins at 8:30 a.m. Only show participants are eligible to drive in the Country Side Cruise.

Finally, at 8 a.m. Sunday, April 15, cars will sit along the green for visitors to see.

Tjaarda and veteran LeMans racer Jacques Grelley will be on site, and automotive art, books, ceramics, posters and jewelry will be available for purchase.

Food by Don Bergeron to be served at 11 a.m., and a Brazilian Bossa Nova band will perform from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Also, an electric helicopter will hover 400-plus feet overhead taking photos of the day’s events.

“This show was created by my love of cars, great friends, helping cancer victims and the need of giving my hometown a grand show that it so deserves,” Cobb said in a statement on his website, http://www.liveoakconcours.org. “We will most definitely have a fine show and enjoy our times while having fun ... We will have a superb automotive day with varied events so funds may be raised for cancer patient support and needed research. So time has come for us to help stop this dreaded reality.”

Texas: Pate Swap Meet to celebrate 40 years of swapping classic auto parts

From Examiner.com: Pate Swap Meet to celebrate 40 years of swapping classic auto parts
The Pate Swap Meet will hold its 40th annual event for auto enthusiasts of all types and generations at the Texas Motor Speedway Thursday, April 26 through Saturday April 29th at the speedway complex located near Fort Worth, Texas.

Attracting thousands of enthusiasts of all types from backyard mechanics to full gearheads, the Pate Swap Meet has been held at the Texas Motor Speedway since 1998 and is now the third largest automotive swap meet in America.

Focused on what many consider to be the golden eras of automobiles from antiques to hot rods, over 7,000 vendor spaces display automotive parts, memorabilia and treasures of all kinds available for sale or barter. Parts for trucks, motorcycles, custom cars along with the classics can be found around every corner at Pate.

Already restored, customized and cars, trucks and motorcycles that can be restored are also available for sale at the Pate Swap Meet.

Classic cars line K Street for annual event

From Visalia Times-Delta: Classic cars line K Street for annual event
When Frank Furtaw retired from his job as a police officer in Campbell, he knew what he wanted to do with his spare time.

"I said 'I'm going to find myself a car to restore like the one that I drove [as a rookie police officer] and restore it,'" he said.

And he has been entering the car he restored with his son, a 1962 Dodge Dart Seneca, in shows for the past decade — including the big "Cars on K" event this Saturday in Tulare.

Alongside Furtaw's automobile were classic cars of all makes and models. People by the hundreds from all over Tulare County perused the collection of vintage and restored cars that lined downtown K Street, from San Joaquin to Inyo avenues.

"It's really going strong, even for Easter weekend," said Sherry Carson, office manager at Tulare Chamber of Commerce.

More than 150 cars registered for the event.

While Furtaw's Dodge didn't win any of the blue ribbon categories, he still proudly showed off his restoration effort. His son, who works for the Tulare Police Department, helped him restore the car.

He was also offered a door seal to place on the car from the Tulare Police Department by then-police chief Roger Hill.

"It was one of those deals where I would buy a set of tires, then wait and save up to buy something else," he said, adding that he was able to collect equipment and parts from the police department he started at in 1961.

"It was a lot of fun," Furtaw said. He said that people think that its a police car that is currently in service

"People will see me driving and I look in the [rearview] mirror and I'll see people putting seat belts on and I'll see the cellphones go on the floor," he said. "It's 50-years old and they still think it's active."

Cars on K also included food vendors and music. Businesses benefited from the increased traffic, many of which offered discounts or displayed iitems outside store fronts.

Janice Cuto and her sister-in-law decided to attend the event after enjoying lunch downtown. Cuto said she planned to stop inside several stores while she checked out the cars.

"We just thought we would do something fun," said Cuto, who recently moved from Hanford. "We're trying to check out Tulare."

She said her husband owns an older car that he plans to eventually restore.

"This is his retirement dream to one day be out here," she said

Easter Pause

So sorry to have missed so many days of posting - unexpected family matters cropped up.

And now it's Easter, so more family matters.

Will get back on track Monday.

Thanks for your patience.