2016 top stories: 6 – Inaugural Future Classics show a multi-generational delight

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1995 Nissan 240SX | Hans Marquez photos

The inaugural Future Classics Car Show, hosted by ClassicCars.com with organizational support from Car Street Journal and NICOclub.com, was staged in January at the start of Arizona Auction Week and attracted more than 100 cars to the upscale High Street shopping district in north Phoenix.

The event was open to cars from the 1975 through 2005 model years and attracted over 100 cars dating from the 1975 through 2005 model years.

Integra and BMW

Although young car owners with predominantely Fast and Furious-style cars were expected, the turnout was delightfully diverse with Asian, European and domestic brands well represented and with car owners ranging from students to senior citizens.

Those attending the show were able to enjoy more than the vehicles, however, as the shops and restaurants lining High Street extended their hours and offered discounts during the event.

Other highlights of the inaugural show included a “paint a Mustang” station where anyone was able to apply their painting talents to a 2015 Ford Mustang GT supplied by San Tan Ford. Clowns handed out balloon animals and flowers. A DJ played a mix of music. Several automotive suppliers and schools set up display booths as well.

“We are overwhelmed by the response to ClassicCars.com first Future Classics Car Show,” said Roger Falcione, chief executive and president of ClassicCars.com. “It is a true example of how the collector car hobby is alive and well with the next generation.

“The enthusiasm from the 100 plus car owners and the huge crowd that came out to the event represents a vibrant car community around collector cars from 1975-2005 that we are proud to be a part of.”

Falcione explained why the show was promoted:

NASA race car

“Young people are a key part of the future of the classic car hobby,” he said.  “As a company we are committed to spreading the passion for classic vehicles across all the generations and we felt strongly that an event designed to connect younger car enthusiasts with classic and collector cars was an important addition to the auctions and events taking place this January in Scottsdale.

“We decided to focus on celebrating cars from the late 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s as a natural fit for this audience.”

However, as it turned out, those cars are of interest to a much wider audience of owners and enthusiasts.

Cars were judged by a panel led by Classic Cars News East Coast editor Andy Reid. Best of Show was awarded to John Garza and his 1977 Toyota Celica.

“The show itself was surprising in the number of cars that attended this first year event, 105, and the quality of the cars and the great enthusiasm of the owners simply blew me away,” Reid wrote in his report on being head judge.

Vintage Ferrari

“Many of the cars were no more that a single point apart and we had quite a few ties. To me, this makes for a great show but for difficult judging.

“The other amazing thing I noticed was the great range of ages of the owners, with some in their teens while others were of retirement age.

“For those who think that the car hobby is not attracting the younger audience, this show demonstrated to me that young people are very definitely in the hobby and are as enthusiastic about it as older and more seasoned collectors. Not only that, but a vast number of the owners of these great cars actually did most of the work on their cars themselves.”

The second Future Classics Car Show is scheduled for January 16, 2017.  More information can be found on the show’s website.

Read the top ten stories from 2016