Return to Platte City

It’s been five long years since I’ve been to the Outta’ Control Hot Rods monthly cruise in Platte City, Mo., but I was in the Kansas City area last Saturday night, so I had to get back. This was the night before Easter, so the turnout was understandably light, but there were still some really great cars in attendance. Many of these were at this event when I checked it out five years ago, which says a lot about the loyalty of the people who support this show, and about how well it’s run. They always have a professional sound board set up to play music. They have door prizes and dash magnets. You’re right in the parking lot of the Pizza Shoppe so you never go hungry. Heck, they’ll even give you a coupon to eat there. If you can get to this cruise on the third Saturday of the month, by all means, make that happen.

2017 Gallatin Square Fest Car Show

I’m a big fan of the annual Gallatin Square Fest Car Show. For one thing, there’s a craft show there, so I can usually convince my wife to go. But it also seems to draw an outstanding collection of cars. There’s stuff there that I’ve never seen anywhere else. The weather was warm. The cars were clean. It was a great day for a car show. I’ll bet you wish you had gone. Well, at least I took some pictures for you. No need to thank me.

Nice cars indeed at Art & Speed

I was watching the Memphis news Wednesday morning when I heard about a food truck event at the Memphis Botanic Garden, and they mentioned that there would be a car show. That sounded like a good reason to eat a grilled cheese sandwich out of a Step Van. The “car show” turned out to be a display put together by Art & Speed, a classic car gallery in Collierville. I’m glad I saw them there, because it prompted me to go visit their showroom the next day. This is a really nice place with a great selection of cars. I mean it—seriously impressive. Let’s take a look at some of the standouts.

Relaxing at the Fontanel Cruise

It was Thursday night in the summer time. That means it was time for the weekly car cruise in the prettiest location in Nashville. The Fontanel Mansion hosts this event, and they always do a nice job. As usual, there was live music, food to eat, and beautiful, tree-covered hills in the shadow of Barbara Mandrel’s old house and amphitheater. Cruise participation has been a little light lately, which seems strange to me considering the enjoyable location and nice weather. But the car owners and their families that did show up were all having a nice time.

2015 AACA Wilson Bank Car Show

I saw the sign promoting the upcoming car show at the Mt. Juliet branch of Wilson Bank for a week. I sort of figured it would be ten or twenty cars that the bank staff rounded up. Actually, this was an event for the Middle Tennessee Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), and there were not only a large number of cars, but there was a large number of good cars. I noticed the same phenomenon when I lived in Kansas City, too. Overall, I think the AACA draws an older crowd that not only can afford nice cars, but have enough experience in the hobby to really understand them.

Goodlettsville Cruise was a nice little gathering

Saturday night, I made a quick stop at the Goodlettsville Cruise in the Publix/Firehouse Subs parking lot. I say “quick,” because there weren’t many cars there to photograph. Now that’s not really a reflection on the cruise itself. I’ve been to this same location when you would consider yourself lucky to find a parking spot. Unfortunately, they were right up against the new Cruizin’ Hendersonville event going on 15 minutes away. I think that was their biggest challenge. But I guess as a car guy, having too many cruise options seems like a good problem to have.

Good stuff at the Goodlettsville Cruise

No matter where you go in the United States, people who love cars will find a way to get together.  Take Goodlettsville, Tenn.  Every Saturday night throughout the summer, a big group of car nuts meet up at the Goodlettsville Cruise, which takes place behind the Publix grocery store.  And true to form, when you get this many cars together, you’re bound to see some good ones.  Let’s take a look at a few of them that stood out.