Although it has postponed its Import & Performance Nationals from mid-May to August 14-16, Carlisle Events has big plans for the showcase. They include such special exhibitions as “100 Years of Mazda,” “50 Years of the Nissan/Datsun Z,” a display of French cars, and a race car paddock.
“Historically, this event is our first specialty show of the season,” Carlisle Events co-owner Bill Miller is quoted in the company’s announcement. However, he continues, “So many things are changing daily with this global pandemic and we feel it’s best for the safety and health of all involved to transition the show from its original May dates to the new August 14-16 dates.”
“Ultimately, offering a safe and fun environment for everyone is THE most important part of this new event date,” the company said, adding a long list of sanitizing steps that are being taken in anticipation of the show season finally starting. They include not only the Carlisle Events facility at the Carlisle (Pennsylvania) Fairgrounds, but neighboring properties as well and will involve gloved personnel, disinfectants and hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes and other health guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control.
Street Rod group shuffles its schedule
The National Street Rod Association has postponed its first three scheduled shows until this fall so, at the moment, its season tentatively will open May 22-24 with the Mid-America Street Rod Nationals at the Ozard Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield, Missouri.
Other now-early season events are the Street Rod Nationals East, June 5-7 at York, Pennsylvania, and the Rocky Mountain Street Rod Nationals, June 26-28 at Pueblo, Colorado.
Luftgekuhlt 7 delayed until November
The celebration of air-cooled Porsches, from Pre-A 356 through 993 generation of the 911, has been postponed until November 1.
Created by two-time Le Mans class-winning racer Patrick Long and SoCal creative director Howie Idelson, Luftgekuhlt has become known both for its ability to attract amazing vehicles, but for staging a car show in such unusual settings as a lumber yard and a Hollywood movie back lot.
The 2020 event will be held in Durham, North Carolina, with details to come on the specific location.
EyesOn Brock and Lutz
EyesOn Design is an “automotive design exhibition” that is organized by car designers based in the Detroit area and for more than 3 decades has served as a sort of concours d’design showcase. It usually is held on Father’s Day at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Point Shores, Michigan, but this year has been rescheduled for September 13, which is Grandparent’s Day.
The theme for the 33rd annual EyesOn (the event is named in honor of its support for the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology), “Marques of Extinction: Significant Designs of Bygone Brands.”
Bob Lutz will be grand marshal. Peter Brock will receive the EyesOn lifetime design achievement award and his work will be featured at a design symposium.
Among the show’s features are awards presented by white-gloved but vision-impaired judges.
AACA shuffles its calendar
The Antique Automobile Club of America has shuffled its calendar of events. The Southeastern Spring Nationals at Charlotte, North Carolina, have been rescheduled for June 12-13 and the Eastern Division Tour in Maryland has been moved to August 12-15.
Two other events — the Western Spring Nationals in Arizona and the Central Spring Nationals in Indiana — have been canceled.
The AACA also reports that construction on its new building in Hershey, Pennsylvania, has halted as part of that state’s shutdown on non-life-sustaining businesses.
Fall car-show calendar filling quickly
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the fall car-show and concours calendar continues to evolve and to fill to overflowing some dates. Here’s the updated schedule, based on official announcements, as of April 7, 2020:
August 9-16 — Monterey Car Week, Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals
August 21-23 — Morgan Adams Concours d’Elegance (Colorado), Geneva (Illinois) Concours d’Elegance (plus the Indianapolis 500)
August 28-30 — Corvettes at Carlisle, Artmobilia Weekend (Carmel, Indiana) (plus the rescheduled New York International Auto Show)
September 4-7 (Labor Day weekend) — Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival, Greenbrier Concours d’Elegance, Lime Rock Historic Festival, Crescent Beach Concours d’Elegance, Sonoma Speed Festival, Foothills Motoring Festival (Pinehurst, North Carolina), Royal Concours of Elegance (England)
September 11-13 — Goodwood Revival, Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance, Vail Classic, EyesOn Design
September 18-20 — Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance, New York City Concours, Dayton Concours d’Elegance, Oregon Festival of Cars, LaJolla Concours d’Elegance, Arizona FuelFest (plus the 24 Hours of Le Mans)
September 25-27 — Telluride Festival, Ironstone Concours d’Elegance (California), St. Michaels Concours d’Elegance (Maryland)
October 2-4 — Audrian’s Newport Concours ‘Elegance, Fall Carlisle, Street Rod Nationals South (Knoxville, Tennessee)
October 9-11 — Chico Concours d’Elegance (California)
October 16-18 — Chattanooga Motorcar Festival, Keels & Wheels, Lake Mirror Concours d’Elegance (Florida)
October 23-25 — Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance (plus the Mille Miglia race/rally)
October 30-November 1 — Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance, Copperstate 1000 vintage rally car show, Western Street Rod Nationals (Bakersfield, California), Luftgekuhlt 7 (Durham, North Carolina)
