Saturday, May 24, 2014

Car Show Highlights

Last weekend there were quite a few car shows going on. Blanco hosted their annual car show, Dick's Classic Garage had their monthly cruise-in, and Cars and Coffee was going on as well. Naturally, I went and took some photos. The weather held throughout the weekend, and as such there were some very special machines on display.


This 1928 Chrysler caught my attention early on, but it wasn't until I took a closer look that I really got to appreciate it. That document framed in the windshield is the original registration from 1928. It shows that this car started life in Colorado before finding its way into Texas.


Among the many Ford hot rods I've seen, this one is unique in its simplicity. The colors are muted and tasteful, and it still retains its original flathead V8, albeit slightly souped-up. It's nice to see one of these that doesn't follow the usual formula.


This 1931 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup is in surprisingly good shape for its age. Of all the bodystyles available on the Model A, this is my favorite. The idea of a convertible pickup truck appeals to me, and this one is a lovely example.


Hot rods are a staple of Texas car culture, and this beautiful Ford coupe is an eye-catcher for sure. The old-school Hemi V8 and black paint are an iconic combination, and with those big white-walls, this car really looks good.


A host of little modifications set this 1936 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery apart from the crowd. Bright red paint, custom wheels, side-exit exhaust and custom bumpers make for a very cool street machine.


This 1937 Buick is unique for sure. The Cragar wire wheels are a neat touch, along with that peculiar green paint, but the real standout modifications are the headlights and taillights, which have been borrowed from a Plymouth Prowler. It's a cool idea, and it makes for an unmistakable car.


Few cars can claim to be as elegant as this. This 1940 Cadillac is a vast rolling sculpture, fit for a king. The paint is starting to show some wear and tear, especially around the rear fenders, but nevertheless this an incredible machine.


Old Chevy trucks are a dime a dozen, but a classic GMC? Not as much. This 1940's pickup is rocking some great patina, and makes for a unique vehicle. I actually prefer the design of the GMC to the Chevrolet, so this was cool to look at up close.


This 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan is an uncommon car. The suicide doors are cool, and would later appear on the Continental. This car is all about luxury, and even by today's standards it's a nice automobile.


This 1953 Oldsmobile is an absolute beauty. The aftermarket rims work better than expected, and that gloss black paint is perfect. The chrome really stands out on this one.


Not only is this 1955 Bel Air my favorite of the Tri-Five designs, it's also in the exact color scheme I would want if I was in the market for a Bel Air. This example is immaculately preserved.


This 1957 Chevrolet panel truck has been converted into a promotional vehicle of sorts for a local automotive wiring company. The truck looks great, and should definitely attract some business.


The 1957 Bel Air is a car show constant. There's always at least one. This one, though, is something special. The sensational paint job draws people in, and the 5.7-liter Hemi seals the deal. This is a well-built car.


I definitely wasn't expecting this. It's a Lotus Eleven racecar, and it is tiny. It isn't so much a car as a fancy go-kart with headlights. I could spend all day poring over every detail of this car. It's a rare and intriguing classic.


A Volkswagen Beetle doesn't usually get my attention, but a 1957 Cabriolet isn't your average Beetle. I'm digging the fender skirts.


This 1958 Impala looked like it rolled out of the showroom yesterday. It was in spectacular condition. This was the first year for the Impala, and it's easy to see why it caught on.


Pure opulence, this one. It's a 1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, and yes, the owner DID have Grey Poupon with him.


This is actually my favorite Lotus of all time, the Elite. I love the styling, and the sheer simplicity of it. It's a very small car that boasts a fantastic driving experience. This one is a 1963 model, in a stunning shade of red.


This 1963 Continental convertible was massive. It's one of the most luxurious vehicles ever built in America, and one of my favorite cars of the 1960's. I especially love the convertible, with it's hydraulically-operated trunk.


I like the little Cobra replicas, but they don't usually catch my eye that often. This one is a rare exception. I love this color, and it's nice to see one without the obligatory stripes. This is such a pretty car, and one of my favorites of the weekend.


I also love this Corvette. The groovy factory mag wheels and white-letter tires are a killer combination. Factor in the side pipes and hoodscoop and you have a very cool Corvette.


This Mustang GT is in perfect condition. The owner just put on the white-line tires to make this car as original as possible, and it sure does look good.


This GT 350 is achingly pretty, especially in red and white. The Magnums are a cool touch, and they really work well here.


This 1967 Austin-Healey was one of several classic British roadsters to show up in Blanco, and probably my favorite of the bunch. These cars are so well-designed.


Muscle car enthusiasts will enjoy this 1967 Chevelle SS 396. It's a stunning car, and it sounds wonderful.


This lightly-modified Fairlane was a personal favorite of mine. I love this bodystyle, and the painted Torq-Thrusts are a great addition to a pretty car.


The owner of this 1967 GT500 has had the car in his family since 1979. All that's left to do is put the engine back in and it'll be ready to hit the streets.


This 1968 GTO is outstanding, and looks simply majestic in that shade of green. While I'm partial to the '69 myself, I wouldn't mind one of these.


Yes, it's a Mustang Grandè. A 1969 model, no less, with a 351 under the hood. It sounded great, and makes for a unique Mustang.


Boss Hogg would approve of this 1970 Cadillac. This is a very pretty car, and although I'd seen it before in the parking garage, I was happy to finally see it out in the sunshine where it belongs.


1971 was the only year for the Charger Super Bee, so it's not a car you see too often. This one is very nice, and packs a 383 Magnum V8.


This 1972 K/4 Blazer is simply jaw-dropping. It's not everyday you see one of these in good condition, but this one is just phenomenal. The orange and white is icing on the cake.


Similarly, this is a pretty sweet Bronco. It's a 1973 model, and the owner has modified it quite a bit for off-road use.


This 1980 Scout II is very neat. The green paint lends a military vibe, and the powerplant is very perplexing. The owner has fitted this 4x4 with an older Nissan Diesel motor. It's an odd choice, but it makes this cool off-roader even more unique.


The Turbo Trans Am, namely the NASCAR special edition. I very much approve of this.


Porsche enthusiasts will recognize the "flat-nose" 930 immediately. An option on the 911 in the 1980's, these cars are very collectable today.


The owner of this 1985 BMW 535i is slowly converting it to European specifications. I adore the E30 BMW's, and while it's no M5, this car is something I wouldn't mind having.


If you've been keeping up with the trailers for the new Transformers film, you might've spotted this Mini in the trailers. This is the actual car used during filming, and while I'm not sure what role the car has in the film, it's still a cool little car.


This 1991 Acura NSX is in great shape, and showed up with another NSX. I much prefer the look of these cars as opposed to the later fixed-headlight cars.


I have no idea how a R33 Skyline GT-R found its way into Blanco, Texas, but I'm sure glad it did. This car is incredible, and drew a crowd all day long. The R33 is my favorite Skyline generation, and this one has all the right modifications.


This very handsome Lotus Esprit V8 is a veteran of Cars and Coffee, but I couldn't resist getting a better picture of it. It's unmistakably yellow, and those aftermarket wheels are a great modification.


The first Campagna T-Rex I've seen in person. These are fascinating little oddballs, and seeing them in motion is a strange experience.


The F-Type Coupe is starting to show up in dealerships, and it looks fantastic. I prefer the coupe to the convertible, and the exhaust note on these is utterly incredible.


The all-new 2015 Subaru Impreza WRX STi. I love the new look, and it wears the blue and gold with pride. This car is being hailed as a return to form for Subaru, and a breath of fresh air. I have to agree. Well played Subaru, well played.

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