Car Shows I have attended
I used to attend car shows every year when I had my 1987 Buick Regal Turbo T, but it has been over a decade since I have been to one.
Blackhawk County Street Machines Springfest 2011
The Blackhawk County Street Machines held their 2011 Springfest Car Show at the Isle Casino in Waterloo, Iowa. It was a cold and windy day but the sun was out for most of the day which provided some relief. The car show had 387 cars entered this year, which is a little down from last year, but with the cold weather, it was expected. My Turbo Regal ended up taking first place in the class “Street Machines 1983 to Present” and we received a very nice trophy to add to the collection at the shop. Keith Smith (Turbonut85 on turbobuick.com) received a second-place trophy with his 1985 Grand National in the same class. His car is such a fine example of a restoration gone completely right! The show was run well once again, so hats off to the Blackhawk County Street Machines. The announcer knew his stuff about cars because he knew a little something about every car that passed through the entry gate. That’s pretty neat.
Blackhawk County Street Machines Springfest 2010
The Blackhawk County Street Machines held their 2010 Springfest Car Show at the Isle Casino in Waterloo, Iowa. This was a nice change from having it in downtown Waterloo since there was a lot of room to work with and it was quite easy getting around. This year there was a record turnout of 426 cars, which is over one hundred more than the previous years. There were more Turbo Regals than ever since Keith and Doug brought their fine examples of American iron. You will find pictures of their clean rides in the slideshow to the right. It was a lot of walking to see every car, but it was well worth it. My Turbo Regal ended up taking first place in the class “Street Machines 1983 to Present” and we received a very nice trophy to add to the collection at the shop. Keith got third place with his 1985 Grand National in the same class. His car is such a fine example of a restoration gone completely right! I am not sure how Doug placed since a lot of us hightailed it home to beat the rain. Again, I think this show was run very well. Awards got a late start, but I don’t blame them since there were well over a hundred more ballots than any other year. The only suggestion I have is to turn the speakers down a bit. It is plenty easy to hear the announcer anywhere at the show, so I didn’t think we needed to be blasted out of our chairs every few minutes. (Our car was staged right next to the announcing area) I think next year I am going to bring the 1996 Mustang Cobra. It is a pretty nice car and I think it would do ok in the Stock Mustang class. I haven’t seen a cleaner original ’96 around, so I think I will enter both cars as long as I don’t keel over from getting TWO cars ready to show.
Blackhawk County Street Machines Springfest 2009
The weather was beautiful and the turnout was fantastic for this well-run car show. There were about 320 cars at this event, so there was a lot to see. My favorite car at this show was an early 70’s Corvette Stingray convertible that was VERY well done inside and out. A very close second was a Factory Five 1965 AC Cobra replica. I’d prefer an original 427 side oiler, but these replica kits are nice. I got to see a lot of old car show friends, like Nate Bruhn and Doug Phillips. Nate has a 2000 Pontiac Firehawk, which is navy blue and very nice. You will catch it in the slideshow above. Unfortunately, my camera ran out of batteries, so I was not able to grab a shot of Doug’s 1987 Buick Grand National. The Turbo Regal ended up taking first place in the class “Street Machines 1983 to Present” and we received a very nice trophy to add to the collection at the shop. Thanks go to my wife who helped get it ready and let me work on it to get it into shape.
Blackhawk County Street Machines Springfest 2003
Springfest 2003 was held in downtown Waterloo, which was a nice change of pace. The people were great and the music was great, which always makes for a nice time. I was really impressed with the quality of cars this year, which led to some “minor” disappointment. The Buick took second place in Street machines 1983 to present. First place was given to a deserving 1985 Cutlass 442 which was as clean as a car could possibly be.
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Blackhawk County Street Machines Springfest 2002
Springfest 2002 took place at Brewsters once again. There were about 255 cars there this year and the weather cooperated for the entire day. The Buick got second place this year to a really nice Hurst Olds. I didn’t have much time to prepare the Buick this year so it was pretty much in daily driver mode. I should have spent more time under the hood getting everything “just right.”
Blackhawk County Street Machines Springfest 2001
Springfest 2001 was hosted by Black Hawk County Street Machines and took place in Waterloo, Iowa on May 12. There were about 220 cars entered in the show and we had great weather this year for once. I spent an entire Friday afternoon getting the car ready for this years show and I guess it paid off since the Buick garnered its second consecutive first place finish in Street Machines, 1983 – present. There were tons of nice cars there as usual and it was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Take a look at the slides from the show to the right by using the button below.
Blackhawk County Street Machines Springfest 2000
Springfest 2000 was hosted by Black Hawk County Street Machines and took place in Waterloo, Iowa on May 13. There were about 220 different cars entered in the show in lots of different classes. The turbo Buick camp was not represented very well as they are a rarity in these parts for some reason. There was only a lone 1987 Grand National and myself competing at the event. I entered my car in Street Machines 1983 – present, which had some fairly decent competition, including several Monte Carlo Super Sports, a really nice Hurst Olds, and a few other pretty nice G-bodies with great heart transplants.. My car pulled it out though, running away with 1st place in its class. I really enjoyed the show and it was a treat overhearing comments on how fast Buicks were and how the “supercharger” adds tons of power. I even heard one guy tell his wife that “that Buick” would outrun any car here and most people don’t know that. I was all smiles, of course.
