Cars and Coffee Raleigh Holds First Meet of 2014

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2014 Raleigh cars and coffee

Third Saturday meetings at the Raleigh Grande.

Cars and Coffee has come back to Raleigh, NC. This past Saturday the inaugural meet up of the *new* Cars and Coffee Raleigh was held and judging by the amount of coffee consumed and the cars on hand, future gatherings may soon fill the Raleigh Grande theaters entire 550-spot parking lot.

Cars and Coffee Raleigh: March 2014. (Photo Dave Marsic)
A roof top view of Cars and Coffee Raleigh: March 2014. (Photo Dave Marsic)

Upon my arrival precisely at 8 a.m., a contingent of 30 Mopar models composed mostly of Dodge Challenger and Charger models from the Fast Lane Mopars Club had already lined the south end of the lot.

Over the next hour several more caravans pulled in, including Mazda RX5s (Miata), Mustangs, Chevy Cobalts, Corvettes, and BMWs, with each group carving out their own sections of the lot.

Cars and Coffee Raleigh: Dodge Charger
Didnt we cross paths at Cars and Coffee Fayetteville last week?

By 9:30 a.m. the parking lot was bustling, the theaters concession stands were humming, and temperatures pushed high enough to begin removing jackets. If you were looking for ideal morning automotive meet up conditions you found it at Raleigh on Saturday.

Cars and Coffee Raleigh

1967 Pontiac Bonneville
This mint condition 1967 Pontiac Bonneville with a white top was one of the oldest models to show up.

Dave Marsic, one of the organizers for Cars and Coffee Raleigh, was overwhelmingly pleased by the turn out, having anticipated no more than 200 participants, but ending up with more than 300. Auto Trends estimates that number was between 350 to 400, including people who stopped in for a while and then left.

The Raleigh Grande Theater opened its concession stands, giving people access to coffee and snacks, as well as to the bathrooms. The theater reported going through five huge containers of coffee before they ran out. Conveniently, the theater also scheduled an 11:15 a.m. showing of the just released Need for Speed movie to give car lovers another reason to hang around.

Cars and Coffee Raleigh: Raleigh Grande Theater
A collection of European cars in front of the Raleigh Grande Theater.

The return of Cars and Coffee to Raleigh now gives the Triangle region (central North Carolina) two such events each month. Cars and Coffee Cary meets the first Sat. of the month and Cars and Coffee Raleigh will continue to meet on the third Saturdays its next meeting is scheduled for April 19, 2014.

Chris Chandler, one of the organizers for Cars and Coffee Cary was at the Raleigh event and told Auto Trends that beginning with its next meet up on April 5, 2014, the Waverly Place Shopping Center on Kildaire Farm Road would make available a third lot, this one located on the upper section of the property, effectively increasing capacity to 600 cars.

So, at least in one area of the country outside of car-crazy California there are now two monthly Cars and Coffee events within easy reach of local enthusiasts, with warmer weather and convenient venues set to accommodate participants and visitors alike.

Classic and contemporary Ford Mustangs were well represented.
Cars and Coffee Raleigh: Chevrolet Bel Air
This 1995 Chevrolet Bel Air has been beautifully maintained inside and out.
Cars and Coffee Raleigh: TVR
One of the more uncommon models on display was this TVR roadster, a British-built vehicle.
Cars and Coffee Raleigh: Lotus Elise
Big smiles from this orange cream Lotus Elise.
Cars and Coffee Raleigh: Dodge Challenger
Deep purple: Contemporary and classic Dodge Challengers.
Cars and Coffee Raleigh: Pontiac Firebird
Drop top goodness with a classic Pontiac Firebird.
Cars and Coffee Raleigh: Pontiac GTO Convertible
Under the hood of this 1970 Pontiac GTO convertible is 400 cubic inches of V-8 goodness.
Cars and Coffee Raleigh: Chevrolet El Camino
The Chevrolet El Camino is the consummate car-truck.
Cars and Coffee Raleigh: MG Roadster
A classic MG Roadster in mint condition.
Cars and Coffee Raleigh; Corvette
How much horsepower under that hood, bud?
Cars and Coffee Raleigh: Mopar
A handful of Dodge/Ram pickup trucks swelled the Mopar contingent as the morning wore on.
Cars and Coffee Raleigh: pickup trucks, motorcycles
Custom trucks and motorcycles dotted the inaugural event.
Cars and Coffee Raleigh: Mopar
Uncommon Mopar: Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler.
Cars and Coffee: TRV
Yet another Union Jack model was represented.
Cars and Coffee Raleigh: Chevrolet SS
I’m guessing a 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS.
Cars and Coffee Raleigh: Chevrolet Nova SS
More SS goodness, this one a circa 1970 Chevy Nova.

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

Matthew Keegan
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