The auto industry is buried deep into the American psyche. Ever since the first “Model T ” brought freedom of movement for the masses, automobiles have been as integral a part of America as Mom and Apple Pie. This is reflected in how we live and use our cars in our everyday lives and how we celebrate cherished cars of our past. From Pebble Beach, CA and Hershey, PA to “Cars and Coffee ” around the corner at Freshfields Village on Kiawah Island, we just love our cars.
America holds some really great car events, but America is also a big place, taking most of them beyond the easy reach of a weekend drive. For Charlestonians, we have some of the best regional and local car shows within an easy drive. From Amelia Island, Florida spanning through to the simple weekly drop-in meets such as Bessingers on I17 South or “Cars and Coffee “held at Towne Center in Mt Pleasant. Somewhere in between these two bookends is the space occupied by Hilton Head Motoring Festival and Concours d’Elegance. Part Concours, part showroom, part car club history and part adrenelin pump at Savannah Raceway.
Spend a day there … or four. Split your time between the raceway, the Motoring Festival and the sights of downtown Savannah, GA to meet, greet and catch up on what’s happening. I go for the older vintage cars and there was an excellent display of Model A’s from the Low Country Model A Club. British Car Club of Charleston was well represented with MG’s, Lotus’s, Jags, Austins, Leyland and a few more I remember my parents driving around in and calling “family cars ” in my younger days in Wales. Detroit Americana was hard to beat with all that 1950’s Chrome and laquered Cherry Red paint through to the 1970’s era muscle power. Don’t know how you park them – but as a statement, they’re unbeatable.
Even the often dour and recalcitrant Swedes put on a big display, but there again Volvo is coming to a town near us in the very near future – as we will soon be the home to the new Volvo US Headquaters and assembly plant. For a vintage car lover, or just an average automobile enthusiast, this coastal location provides plenty of opportunity to make it to 1-2 renowned car shows a year. And, as an added benefit, the mild, mostly sunny climate means if your car collection includes a convertible or two, as mine does, you’ve got plenty of opportunity to enjoy driving to them “top down. “
Thought: So if you consider yourself a “gear head ” then Charleston has a lot to offer within easy reach. Most weekends there will be something car related for you to watch, photograph and otherwise enjoy.
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