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Classic
Cars, Classic Fun
It's
an old-school getaway when you head to a great antique and
classic car show. Hit the road to these favorites across the
country.
"Uncle
Bill's on his way!" our mom would shout, and we'd be out the
door in a flash, wondering what our auto-collecting relative
would drive up in this time. The shiny black Model A Ford,
perhaps? Or maybe he'd be behind the wheel of our favorite,
the ultra-slick Aston Martin worthy of James Bond? We couldn't
wait to climb in and enjoy the ride, winning admiring glances
and the usual comments: "That is some cool car!" Yes indeed,
this was a truly fine way to cruise the 'hood.
If the
sight of a vintage automobile gets your mojo running, why
not catch a classic car show? You'll see some amazing machines
and meet the owners who lovingly restore and maintain them.
Events vary, but there's one constant from show to show: folks
who are crazy for cars. You've heard it said that America
has a love affair with the automobile? This bunch is head
over heels.
Greenfield
Village's Old Car Festival
Dearborn, Michigan
Greenfield Village, a 90-acre living history museum that
is part of the Henry Ford Museum, is the perfect setting for
a classic car show. After all, the museum was founded in 1929
by the man who brought the automobile to the masses with his
Model T Ford. This show celebrates America on wheels, showcasing
more than 600 cars and bicycles from the 1890s to 1932. After
you've seen more horseless carriages and flapper-era touring
cars than you can shake a dipstick at, take in the vaudeville-style
music and comedy revue or a candlestick-making class. The
56th annual show will be held September 9-10. For information,
go to www.hfmgv.org.
Concours
d'Elegance and Car Show
Hillsborough, California
Picture a parade of vintage touring cars winding its way
along San Francisco's fabled 60-mile scenic coastal highway.
This breathtaking visual sets the stage for the Hillsborough
car show and family festival, a must-see event for Bay Area
car buffs for more than 50 years. What began as a small antique
car show to benefit local public schools has become a big
draw, with more than 7,000 visitors and participants showing
up to "ooh" and "ahh" at 200-plus vintage and classic cars.
Headliner cars in last year's show included the Bentley and
the Aston Martin; we won't spoil the surprise by sharing the
marquees at this year's show on May 7. For information, visit
www.hillsboroughconcours.org/carshow.
Classic
Car Show at Canterbury Shaker Village
Canterbury, New Hampshire
Perhaps cars aren't the first things that come to mind
when you think of the Shakers. But in fact, the Canterbury
Shakers owned a collection of vehicles, favoring large, well-made
machines such as the Model 40 Overland and the Pierce Arrow.
Combine New Hampshire's brilliant fall foliage with 200 vintage
cars and you have the makings of a classic New England weekend.
During the 10th annual classic car show, slated for mid-October,
you can take a guided tour of the historic village, walk the
nature trails around the property's ponds, see crafts demonstrations
and dine in The Shaker Table restaurant. For information,
visit www.shakers.org.
Annual
Gulfport Antique Car Show & Swap Meet
Gulfport, Florida
Each
year in early November, Gulfport's J.P. Clymer Park is swamped
with antique car mavens and rod-heads, who come out to see
and show off a wonderful collection of vintage wheels and
classic hot rods. More than 200 antique cars (85 years and
older) and 100-plus hot rods are judged in this show, run
by the local branch of the Antique Automobile Club of America.
Adding to the weekend festivities is a flea market and the
"Taste of Gulfport," which is held streetside by local restaurants.
For information, visit www.aaca.org/fwcr.
Thursday
Night Back to the '50s Car Show
La Mesa, California
Not
so formal, but great fun, this car show is held on Thursdays,
June through August, from 6 to 9 p.m. on La Mesa Boulevard
in La Mesa, California (near San Diego). As many as 160 cars
park along the drive, and more cruise the neighborhood in
a moving show! The small-town setting is a great backdrop
for everything from horseless carriages to hot rods. More
than 2,500 spectators show up to stroll the boulevard and
admire the freshly polished chrome. For more information,
visit La
Mesa Village.
Get
the Advantage with MetLife Auto & Home
PROTECT YOUR CLASSIC BEAUTY.
We know that your special car deserves special insurance coverage.
That's why MetLife Auto & Home provides you with the Collectible
Vehicle Insurance Program. Why consider us? Our rates
are as much as 60 percent lower than standard automobile insurance.
We provide "agreed value" coverage, which means that in the
event of a total loss, you'll receive the total insured value
of the car, not actual cash value. Rates are adjusted to reflect
how many miles you do -- or don't -- drive your car. And we
insure most antique and classic vehicles, from trucks and
motorcycles to military vehicles and vintage fire trucks.
For more information, call your MetLife Auto & Home agent
or representative or click
here.
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