Just A Little Neighborhood Car Show
It's the dead of winter here on the North American continent, and most of us are stuck indoors for at least a few more weeks. So what do we do to keep our automotive sanities until the buttercups bloom? How about a very short trip down Memory Lane when the days were longer and warmer?
Bellevue, Tennessee is a friendly suburb of Nashville and once a month in warm weather some local folks assemble at the Bellevue Mall parking lot to display the vehicles they've been waxing and/or working on. I had been wanting to see this car show for a few years, but never seemed to catch it. But as Fate finally dictated, I got the location, time, and date for the event together, and this show just happened to be the last one of the season, held on October 1, 2011.
There was taped music from the '50s, and a live band was making cool sounds. Somebody was cooking hot dogs and selling cold drinks, which greatly added to the spirit. Cars of many nationalities and ages were presented, and there wasn't a bad one in the bunch.
So here we go with some of them and, as usual, in no particular order:
This "Lipstick Red" pony car brought out the Mustang Fever in everybody.
Where were you in '62? Here's a '58 Chevy Bel Air that was almost identical to the one "Ronnie" Howard drove in "American Graffiti."
My favorite shade of blue, and the direct sunlight only made it better.
A '69 Firebird. I had a similar 1970 Firebird and sold it, like an idiot.
The Skull and Cross Wrenches were a nice touch to this hot rod.
I'll bet this studly Studebaker would light its tires up.
Service with a smile. A 1929 tow truck was ready if needed.
I don't think we ever got any more "Land Yachty" than this superb Emilio Pucci Designer Edition Mark IV.
The shadows had almost caught the wheels of a rusty Rat Rod.
Keeping us all in line was a 1970 VW Polzei Beetle in correct colors and trim.
This Beetle was a worthy candidate for restoration. Notice the James Bond-style multiple European license plate option.
Then there was this... um, car. I think it may have been a Thunderbird or Cougar.
Its retro graft was evidenced in the hind quarters as well.
I wish the hood had been raised on this late-'40s Studebaker pickup.
One would be hard pressed to find a nicer Datsun 240Z.
The Corvette crowd was nicely represented by these Bowling Green beauties.
Speaking of green, start with a Chevy body, add a Ford undercarriage, hire an artist, and here's the result.
These two replica Cobras were ready to snake-bite you...
As were these stunning Vipers.
The Grand Prix was always a hit. This one still is.
There's always room for another hot Mustang.
Last year, Anthony Cagle did a fantastic post on the Plymouth Prowler. At the show, I got to sit in this Chrysler Prowler. The two brands are, not surprisingly, virtually identical.
This one was reportedly one of the last 200 of these cars made, was in a limited paint hue, Deep Candy Red Pearl Coat, and its condition was better than showroom new.
I can't describe how the seat wraps and holds you like a huge glove. Or how the doors open barely far enough to squeeze a wide American physique through. But now I do understand the faithful followers' devotion to this car.
On the way home I needed a stop-off at the market, and saw this spotless Porsche GT3 RS just parked in the lot. The owner was nowhere to be found, and the car was a nice way to end a day of looking at some exotic and/or unique machinery.
Hopefully this Spring I'll find the first show of the season, and see what the folks in Bellevue have been working on all Winter.
--That Car Guy (Chuck)
Image Credits: The sun was setting on the cars when I got there. Next time, I'll be there earlier in the day.
SomeOtherSteve on January 21, 2012 at 12:04 PM
In the suburbs north of Atlanta (specifically Alpharetta), the car shows don't stop just because the leaves have turned. Caffeine & Octane (http://www.caffeineandoctane.com) goes on year round. It also attracts an eclectic group of automotive enthusiasts.
The turnout was low the last time, probably due colder weather and the fact that it was on Jan 1. Still, I love seeing the variety of cars that come out.
Blackburn @ OEM Wheels on January 21, 2012 at 05:44 PM
Great find on this show. Here in northeast Ohio it will be May before anything like that is possible and even then we are risking a snow fall or two.
The plymouth/chrysler prowler is one of those cars that I love but can never really tell you why. I mean, it isn't the most powerful, the best looking, or even the best craftsmanship.. i mean, its made in detroit, ya know?
But it is a great car and like you said, when you sit in it, it just seems to make sense.
Al on January 21, 2012 at 07:25 PM
I love it all, except for that ghastly Prowler.
John B on January 21, 2012 at 11:23 PM
I've briefly driven a Prowler, not too bad.
What's great about it is that it was built by one of the "big 3" as a production car. Come on, a factory "hot rod" (in looks if not in performance), how cool is that?
For that alone, it (and Chrysler) deserves respect.
Besides, it's loved by some car nut, so I won't insult it.
Al on January 22, 2012 at 08:26 AM
It was a great idea poorly executed.They made a RWD car out of FWD parts. It looks awful, and has soggy performance. It may have been cool when it was new, but it has not aged well. And I'm sorry, but the hood is a piece of pizza.
Jack on January 30, 2012 at 01:23 PM
Oh my, that is a nice collection of car pictures. That Chrysler Prowler makes me want to get a better job. Those are just great cars up and down that list.
jjd241 on March 09, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Looks like a nice day! I recently found some photos of a show I saw last summer too. I only had a few minutes to check them all out, but lots of cool stuff. Here they are... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VdVnIjuxd4&list=UUHBMWqoKoNvMYoBSd61g_Pw&index=6&feature=plcp