Are you a fan of going to car shows or auctions? Even if you’re not in the market to buy a car, there’s something so fun about seeing those beauties and imagining yourself behind the wheel of a shiny vintage car. (Or brand new car!)
As chairman of the Kansas City Auto Show this past March, I’ve come to learn a lot about auto shows and all of the work that goes into putting one together to create that magic for the attendees! I certainly know how to spot an awesome show when I see one.
So I decided to round up some of the country’s best car shows — aside from the country’s best in Kansas City, of course! These shows vary in types of vehicles featured, but they all have one thing in common: a whole lot of people travel just to see these amazing rides!
1. Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
This has got to be the classiest car show you’ll ever witness. As part of a whole weekend of automotive events, this show takes place on Pebble Beach in the quaint, seaside town of Carmel, California. The beautiful scenery is amazing alone, but then you get the beauty of cars like the Maserati Centennial, Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa and Rolls-Royce Phantom IV. Talk about heaven!
With much more of a laid back vibe than the Pebble Beach event, Cars and Coffee brings together car enthusiasts every Saturday to check out cars while drinking coffee. The event now takes place all over the country, but the one in Irvine, California is the original. This show features all kinds of cars: classics, exotics, concepts, hotrods, motorcycles and more!
What started as a fundraiser for a small Michigan soccer field is now one of the most famous car shows in the country! About 1.5 million people come from all over the world to see more than 400,000 classic cars at this show. So this is definitely the big leagues!! The Dream Cruise takes place along a 16-mile stretch of road called Woodward Avenue, through several towns in Southeast Michigan.
4. Concours d’Elegance at St. Johns
Another show in the series that originally started in France, the Concourse d’Elegance at St. Johns is held in various locations in Michigan and features more ridiculously amazing cars like Jazz Age cars, pre-war motorcycles and pre-war European classics. This show is truly a transport back in time!
Held several times a year in places like Las Vegas, Palm Beach and Scottsdale, this show is the leader in collector car auctions. People pay big, big money for these rides. Auctioned cars include 1950’s Ford pickups, 1970’s Ford Mustangs, 1960’s Chevy Corvettes and more. They’ve got more modern cars too, but the whole show is catered to those who want to build their car collection.
6. National Meet for the National Street Rod Association
If street rods, customs, muscle cars and special-interest vehicles are your thing, you’ll want to be at the National Meet for the National Street Rod Association. But this four-day event features more than just cars. There’s also a arts and crafts fair, trade show and auto parts swap meet!
7. Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles
Another all-around classy event, this car show in Canton, Ohio is a joining of rare car lovers from across the country, and even the world. The Glenmoor country club displays extremely rare automobiles, hosts seminars and displays art for the viewing pleasure of thousands.
All year, East Coasters look forward to this car show that takes place on a 1.5-mile NASCAR track in Charlotte, North Carolina. The show features classic cars and custom rides. More than 1,000 vehicles are for sale at the show, as well as hundreds of parts at a coordinating swap meet.
9. State Fair of Texas Auto Show
If you’re not free the specific weekend of any previous show listed, you’re in luck. The Texas Auto Show runs for an entire month, as part of Texas’s annual summer state fair. More than 400,000 square feet of space is filled with the latest models straight from manufacturers. So if you’re always wanting to get ahead of the car game, this is your spot. Many cars are shown here before they even hit dealership lots!
Silver Auctions take place all over the West Coast, but I’d recommend the auction held in Sun Valley, Idaho over Labor Day weekend. This fun show is set in the ski town of central Idaho and offers beautiful vintage and classic rides, up for sale or just for gazing at. You can also find boats, trailers and other fun memorabilia…then hit the trails and enjoy the beauty of the mountains!
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