CHEVROLET EL CAMINO

Spotlight: American Children’s Home Show-off Show

July 16, 2018 by admin 4 Comments

American Children’s Home 20th Annual Show-Off Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show

What could be better than a gathering of cars, trucks and motorcycles? Not much, unless that function benefits a nonprofit, as it did at a recent event held in Lexington, North Carolina.

Indeed, the campus of the American Children’s Home was both the host and beneficiary of an event that supports approximately 70 youngsters, all of whom need a substitute family. Some of the boys and girls live on campus. Others are in family foster care. All the children are given the help they need now as well as preparation for adult living.

As you might imagine, the mission is critical. And it is an ongoing one, established in 1928 by the Junior Order United American Mechanics North Carolina State Council. Today, the home works closely with county Departments of Social Services, accepting referrals in keeping with its mission.

20th Annual Show-Off

For the 20th consecutive year, the home hosted an annual show-offer of cars, trucks and motorcycles. Rained out in May, the show was rescheduled for July 14. Despite blazing skies and summer traffic, hundreds of entrants and volunteers came out.

Most of the entrants were classic cars and trucks from the 1950s, 60s and 70s, but there were late-model cars and trucks on hand as well. There were also more than a dozen motorcycles and a handful of antique cars.

Entire car clubs came out, including the Carolinas Region of the Porsche Club of America. This club alone raised more than $3,000 for the home.

Ample Time to Show Off

Held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the home, the show accepted entrants throughout the morning. Judges began tallying early on with more than 75 awards offered.

Vendors, food tents, raffles, a kids zone and a silent auction, were also part of the show. Home staff and volunteers ensured a smooth show, with public announcements offered as needed.

By 1:45 p.m., the awards portion began. The first group recognized were the “Top 40” finishers followed by several “best of” categories. The awards ended with both the Best of Show and ACH Choice Award winners recognized.

As for the models on hand, we took more than 300 photos, then narrowed that to about 100 as featured here. More than half are captioned, while the last group has been presented without comment. If you notice an error, we’d appreciate you leaving a comment. Most of the make, model and year information was taken from the entry placard located on the dashboard.

Chevrolet Models

Chevrolet classics. — A line of classic Chevrolets.

Poison Ivy with her equally green Chevrolet Camaro.

But, wait…there’s more!

Best of the Rest:

American Children's Home

Additional Spotlights

Spotlight: 24th Annual Rod & Custom Show Presented by the Stray Cats

Spotlight: Capital City Cruisers 2018 Car, Truck & Bike Show

Spotlight: 2018 Piedmont Classic Chevy Club Car Show

Cars and Coffee Cary: March 2014

March 3, 2014 by admin 4 Comments

The second of two Corvette Stingrays present lifts its hood.

While much of the eastern part of the nation remains locked within winters icy grip, mild weather throughout the southeast has allowed monthly Cars and Coffee meetups to continue throughout much of the Carolinas and extending all the way to Texas. Cars and Coffee Cary (NC) is one event that has continued uninterrupted throughout the colder months despite a pair of snowstorms in Jan. that paralyzed the Raleigh area.

This past Sat., the Cars and Coffee faithful gathered at the upscale Waverly Place shopping center, on a gray, chilly morning. Several hundred drivers and their cars showed up, bringing with them an assortment of antique, classic, performance, and modified rides for display.

Cars and Coffee Cary: 1941 Packard One-Twenty

The oldest car on the lot was a 1941 Packard One-Twenty. Its owners bought the car on Long Island, NY, and have had it for two months. It underwent a restoration 10 years ago.

Cars and Coffee Cary

Just as it did last month, a McLaren MP4-12C showed up, a two-door convertible that retails for $265,750. Clearly, it was the hit of the show, with dozens gathering around the sports car, sitting inside, or simply admiring its sleek design including its alluring dihedral doors.

Snapping away with liberality, Auto Trends captured dozens of the cars in attendance including the ones pictured here. At the very end of this story, please read up about a new event in Raleigh as well as updated information about two more North Carolina show and tells that begin or return this month.

Jump to: Cars and Coffee Raleigh

Cars and Coffee Cary: 1972 AMC Gremlin

This 1972 AMC Gremlin was classified as a subcompact car when new. AMC used a variety of engines ranging from a 2.0-liter four to a 5.0-liter V-8.

Cars and Coffee Cary: Ford Mustang

Every generation of Ford Mustang is well represented, although not always at the same time. Classic and late model steeds alike draw much fan interest.

Cars and Coffee Cary: Yes!

There are only three registered Yes! sports cars in the entire United States. This orange one made an appearance at Cars and Coffee.

Cars and Coffee Cary: Chevrolet El Camino

Will we ever see the return of the Chevrolet El Camino?
In many eyes, it represents the ultimate car-truck.

Cars and Coffee Cary: Corvette Stingray

Classic and new sports cars dominate Cars and Coffee. The occasional 1960s era Corvette Stingray will make an appearance.

Cars and Coffee Cary: Dodge Dart

Most people are familiar with the contemporary Dodge Dart.
This classic edition was in mint condition.

Cars and Coffee Cary: Jaguar XJ12C

A handful of British models tend to show up including this very good condition
silver Jaguar XJ12C with Michigan plates.

Cars and Coffee Cary: Porsche 911 GT3 RS

This Porsche 911 GT3 RS needs no introduction. Its orange wheels, side mirror caps, and graphics offer an unusual contrast to the body.

Cars and Coffee Cary: Triumph

This British pair underscores the way that a hood should be lifted.

Nissan GT-R

One person’s Nissan Skyline is another person’s GT-R. No matter, it was one of the fastest cars to make an appearance this month.

Cars and Coffee Cary: 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback

The owner of this 1966 Ford Mustang Fastback has had it for 14 years. Prior to its restoration it was his sons driver while attending the United States Air Force Academy.

Cars and Coffee Cary: Chevrolet Bel Air

All eyes are on this Chevy Bel Air,
a mint condition model that represented 1950s Chevrolet design quite well.

Cars and Coffee Cary: Volkswagen Golf

This Volkswagen Golf rally car seems anxious.
Give it a track or a back road and it will strut its stuff.

Cars and Coffee Cary: Mopar

Dodge Charger and SRT Viper in red: Mopar Madness offers
the same fevered condition as does March Madness.

Cars and Coffee Raleigh

The Cary, NC gathering regularly fills the allotted parking lots, demonstrating strong local interest in automotive meetup events. That has led to the formation of Cars and Coffee at the Raleigh Grande, a monthly gathering that will supplement, but not replace Cars and Coffee Cary.

Beginning on Sat., March 15, 2014, at 4840 Grove Barton Road in northwest Raleigh, display and spectator parking will be available for this monthly show. Auto Trends talked with Dave Marsic, one of the new events organizers, learning that more than 500 display and parking spaces will be available. The concession stand at the Raleigh Grande will be open during the show with attendees invited to take in a movie afterward. You can learn more about the Raleigh event by clicking here.

Cars and Coffee Greensboro (NC) will also resume on March 15 after a four-month break. And Cars and Coffee Charlotte is also back (now meeting on the second Saturday of each month) despite having been canceled following the stupid antics of a few drivers that wrecked it (literally). Visit the Facebook pages of (Greensboro) and (Charlotte) to learn more.

Why Chevrolet Will Bring Back the El Camino

December 11, 2012 by admin 1 Comment

Last week it was reported that General Motors had trademarked its El Camino and Nomad model names. El Camino was a car-truck or a car-based utility vehicle; Nomad originally was a two-door station wagon. Although there have been zero rumors that the Nomad name would be resurrected, ongoing speculation was that the Chevrolet El Camino would return. That thinking grew even stronger when GM closed down Pontiac and ended hopes that the Pontiac G8 ST, a sport truck based on the Holden Ute, would hit the market. Holden is GMs Australian subsidiary and the current producer of the Chevrolet Caprice.

R.I.P. Pontiac

Well, the Pontiac G8 ST did not make the transition to the Chevrolet El Camino as some had hoped that it would. The Holden Ute is still in production, but no model has been announced for U.S. export. We think that it is only a matter of time before the El Camino is announced and are offering the following reasons why we will see this Chevrolet by 2015:

1. Chevrolet needs it. Chevrolet must always strive to demonstrate to the world that this brand is cool. Honda is bland. Toyota is reliable. Nissan is efficient. Dodge is sporty. And Ford is Chevrolet’s arch nemesis. The Camaro is prime evidence that when Chevrolet builds a car that fans want it can be a winner. Chevys beefy sports coupe outsells the Ford Mustang and has raised Chevrolet credibility for this generation of car buyers like no other vehicle has. Chevrolets heritage is based largely on cars that made the brand great. Lesser models may not be forgotten, but they are not remembered. El Camino is remembered and desired.

2. Fans want it. Just as fans led the crusade to bring the Camaro back after an eight-year hiatus, Chevrolet knows that this car-truck should has a following of its own. Perhaps not as strong as the Camaro or as fervent as the Corvette, but it is out there. There are enough small truck owners too that want the utility and are not worried about its restricted payload capacity. An El Camino model that is true to Chevrolet’s heritage would get the buyers flocking out of the woodwork.

3. Holden can build it. The Holden Ute is already being built in Australia. No need to retool a North American assembly plant to build this vehicle. Holden currently builds the Caprice and a performance variant of that model, the Chevrolet SS, will debut next year. Just as the Pontiac G8 sedan or Holden Commodore will soon become the Chevrolet SS, the Pontiac G8 ST or Holden Ute can become the El Camino. Let the Aussies build it and send it our way.

4. The market will bear it. U.S. market sales are returning to levels not seen since 2007. That means that we will soon be selling at least 16 million vehicles annually, a healthy number of vehicles for this consumer market of 310 million people. When the El Camino hits the market it will be in a class unto itself. There is no Ford Ranchero to compete with the model and the nearest thing we have seen to such a truck is the now-defunct Subaru Baja. Sure, the replacement for the small Chevrolet Colorado will go into production in 2013, but those trucks will have a different purpose than the El Camino.

Nomad Possibilities

What about resurrecting the Nomad name? Is GM serious about that too? Well, GM Authority was the one to break the news that GM had applied for the Nomad and El Camino trademarks last August. If the Nomad is built, it might possibly be based on the same Zeta platform underpinning the Caprice and SS, but it might just as easily tap an Opel and Vauxhall platform instead.

Demand for a wagon, however, seems limited and we would not GM to get so stretched thin supporting too many models. If it came down to it, there likely would be much greater demand for the El Camino than there would be for the Nomad.

Photo courtesy of General Motors Company.