Fins 'n' Chrome - American Classic Car Spectacular

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AW11 Forever..!
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Fins 'n' Chrome - American Classic Car Spectacular

Post by AW11 Forever..! »

Sunday 28th May 2006 @ Preston Park Stockton

This is an excellent show and a real show of American muscle power. But don't let that put you off as theres plenty to see and do.
I have arranged a Club pitch for the MR2 MK1 Club for 10 cars + gazebo so space is limited. If you would like to display your MR2 at this event then please register your interest on this thread.

If any IMOC members would like to display their MR2's then there is a possibility of you organising an IMOC stand for 10 cars. To date here in the North East we haven't seen any representation at shows from IMOC, therefore here we have a great opportunity, any volunteers...?


Heres a little more info on the event...

American Car Show

Preston Park, Saturday 28th / Sunday 29th May



It's a bright Sunday morning, and sunglasses should be handed out free to all who attend - as light bounces off every super-polished bonnet and bumper it's a blinding lineup of a dazzling range of cars. As the name of the day says, the big buzz today is around the ridiculously massive and over the top American Cars. Cadillacs, Oldsmobiles, Dodge Chargers (of dukes of Hazzard fame), Hotrods, and Chevy trucks sit side by side on the grass. There's plenty of British Classics who tagged along for the ride too, Morris Minors, Mini's and Ford Capris to mention a few. The seemingly endless rows of weird and wonderful cars sparkling underneath the blue sky is a treat for adults to wander around with big eyes, and I have no doubt that half the bonnets here today had to have drool wiped off them at some point.

Speaking of drool, under 7's might not appreciate the variety of beautys on display, but there's plenty provided to amuse and divert the kids if they're a little too young to be interested this kind of thing, with a few fair rides and games, aswell as stalls and candyfloss. And if you're being dragged along by a friend, or need to stop for refeshments, there's a beer tent, a burger stall and a shooting stall to keep you entertained.


The event is undoubtedy a whole day experience, you need to take your time as every car is worth looking at, aswell as the numerous bikes and vans on display. The money, care and attention to detail these people put into their cars is an obsessive and amazing labour of love, and to see this many cars together is almost too much to take in. The range of modifications is fascinating and often funny, from glittery paint jobs to 'rat' bikes - a trend only just catching on in Britain, which is basically to make your vehicle look as battered and ruined as possible, but give it a bloody fast engine to blow boyracers away. One motorbike of this kind is apparently held together with black duct tape and sports a platic rat mounted on the front with flashing red eyes, which a lot of people double-take and give bemused looks to each other as they stroll past. The people here today, owner and punters, are diverse and fantastic, from middle-aged women in pink cowboy hats, plain looking cadillac owners and tattooed and bequiffed greasers, there's a real relaxed and happy atmosphere.


As the day calms down in the early evening, the child-repelling rope barriers come down and the cars start to leave, and this is the real treat of the day. Hearing those engines and seeing the cars in action rather than just sitting like ornaments was the highlight of my day, and as more people leave you can go and have a really good closeup look, take photos, and even chat with the owners of the cars still left.

As a confused looking old man waits at the rickety little bus stop with a stream of huge gleaming cars growling past him, I watch the field empty out and remind myself to find out the date of next years - this is one summer event I would not miss, and at a couple of quid in for adults it's a bargain for one of the biggest and best car shows in the North East. Even if you aren't into cars and don't know what you're looking at, you can't failed to be impressed by some of them - the Mini Limo, the Custom Hotrods, the modded Harley Davidsons...at the very least you could play 'spot the furry dice'. And there's beer, sun, and a bouncy castle. Get in.

Cheers
Michael
mr2mk1chick
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Re: Fins 'n' Chrome - American Classic Car Spectacular

Post by mr2mk1chick »

This sounds like a cool show Micheal.
I presume it is fine for MK1 IMOC'ers to come on the MK1 club stand if there is no IMOC stand. Hope fully there will be a good turnout, as there a quite a few MK1's around there.
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AW11 Forever..!
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Re: Fins 'n' Chrome - American Classic Car Spectacular

Post by AW11 Forever..! »

Hi Jo,

Yea its a brilliant and colourful show and very much different from the normal Jap and sports car show we usually attend.
MK1's from IMOC are indeed very welcome and encouraged to get involved with our meetings and events.

I'm hoping that someone from IMOC will actually volunteer to organise a stand for IMOC themselves then we can have even more MR2's together. Fingers crossed someone will come forward, its only a few emails to the organisers.

Cheers
Michael
Caroline MacDonald

Re: Fins 'n' Chrome - American Classic Car Spectacular

Post by Caroline MacDonald »

Any chance of them changing the date, as I shall be cruising down the Rhine, sipping Malibu, lying back on a recliner and watching the world go by!! It's a hard life for us women!! \:D/ \:D/ \:D/
AW11 Forever..!
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Re: Fins 'n' Chrome - American Classic Car Spectacular

Post by AW11 Forever..! »

Eh..!!!

Its alright for some.....
Caroline MacDonald

Re: Fins 'n' Chrome - American Classic Car Spectacular

Post by Caroline MacDonald »

Now you know why I work two jobs Michael!! To keep me in the manner, I want to get accustomed too!! No where did I put that sun tan cream????????? :lol:
Alex O
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Re: Fins 'n' Chrome - American Classic Car Spectacular

Post by Alex O »

Just a query......if it's an american muscle show....why would you want to errect a Jap tent? Surely it would go down as well as a ton of bricks???

On another note - how do you enter to have your car on show....do you have a web address? My dad has a mint 1973 Trans Am Firebird that Im sure he would be keen on taking.

Thanks in advance guys
AW11 Forever..!
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Re: Fins 'n' Chrome - American Classic Car Spectacular

Post by AW11 Forever..! »

Its an Anerican car show with local car clubs invited to add an extra bit of interest. With this in mind the Toyota MR2 Mk1 Club has again been invited to attend and display our cars for the public. Its amazing the interest the cars actually get. Its also worth mentioning that most of the general public who attend the show aren't necessarily American car fans so its no suprise that we get a lot of enrhusiastic thumbs up from passers by.
If your dad is interested he needs to contact the organiser Sandra Clarkson [email protected]

Cheers
Michael
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Re: Fins 'n' Chrome - American Classic Car Spectacular

Post by AW11 Forever..! »

Ok I now have the entry forms which you will need to complete and sign in order for your exhibitors pass to be sent out. If you give me your address I will send you an entry/booking form to you.

Cheers
Michael
AW11 Forever..!
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Re: Fins 'n' Chrome - American Classic Car Spectacular

Post by AW11 Forever..! »

I now have enough space for more MR2's. Therefore all MR2's any marks are invited to apply for an exhibitors pass for this great show.

If anyone has any IMOC flags, banners etc they would be willing to donate for the day, that would be great..


Cheers
Michael
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