Posts by Joe Farace:
Classic Rock Cruise-In 2013, Castle Rock CO
June 17th, 2013
One of my favorite Colorado car shows is the annual Classic Rock Cruise-In in Castle Rock that’s held on the streets of this charming town. Founded in 1874 Castle Rock is located just off Interstate 25 and is 28 miles south of Denver and 37 miles north of Colorado Springs, making it easy to get to from anywhere in Colorado’s front range. Space is available for 300 cars and while I didn’t count’em there was plenty of cars to look at. Part of the charm of this show is due to the ambiance of the little town that throws it’s doors wide open to the automotive community. And the picture perfect weather was a plus; with a light breeze and temperatures in the low 70′s.
There are several things that I like about this show: One is the wide diversity of cars both domestic and imports. What other show are you able to see a pristine Bug-Eye Austin Healy Sprite parked near a classic Gull Wing Mercedes-Benz. Or Shelby Mustangs—new and old—alongside classic Lincolns and Packard at the same show.
While people who show their cars at events such as this are almost friendly there is something about this venue that just brings out the “nice” in people. Mary and I had a wonderful conversation with a couple who wanted a project they could work on together to create a car for her. And what a car! It was first generation Mazda Miata MX-5 with a Mustang Cobra engine in it, wrapped up sport body kit and painted a lovely shade of bronze.
But the highlight of the day for me was when the owner of a Ferrari Dino GT—152 were built in total during 1968 and 1969—asked if I would like to sit in his car. This is one of my dream cars and over the years I have only seen a handful of these cars in the flesh and now I was able to sit comfortably—losing 50 pounds helps—inside one of these rare cars. And both of these incidents are perfect examples of why you should attend next year’s car show. Check the Castle Rock event blog from time to time to see when next year’s event is planned; typically its a Saturday in June. I hope to see you there next year.
PS. It’s called “Classic Rock” because of all the live bands performing on a stage in the middle of the show. Great tunes and great cars.
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It’s Car Show Season
May 31st, 2013Automobiles come in many different sizes, colors, and shapes making them ideal photographic subjects and on almost any Summer weekend day—weather permitting—you’ll find a car show in your area. Then there’s impromptu shows not associated with any organization and are staged on a regular basis at a local donut shop or burger joint. Look for flyers about these kinds of show wherever you see cool cars parked. In addition to having blog posts about car museums that you can visit, my goal for the 2013 car season is to visit local car shows and write about them here, including some photographs and tips on how I made the images. I also plan to post what car shows that I will be attending—below—in the hope that you can join me in an informal photo walk through the show as we make some fun photographs together.
2013 Show Schedule
June 15, 2013: Classic Rock Cruise, Castle Rock, Colorado
Regular Shutterbug readers know that I often use car shows to test new cameras and lenses. If that’s the case, you can get a sneak peek of what I’m working on and I’ll be glad to show you the gear, let you handle it, and answer any questions that you might have. The above image was shot while testing the Canon EOS Rebel T3i with Tamron 11-18mm lens and an exposure of 1/200 sec at f/8 and ISO 2oo. It was made at the annual Classic Car Show in Castle Rock, Colorado. I hope to attend this year’s show; Once I know for sure I will post details above.
Looking forward to meeting some of you at a car show this summer.
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Art’s 1953 MG TD: Video by Mark Toal
April 29th, 2013
Art’s 1953 MG TD video from Mark Toal on Vimeo.
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Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Poster Features Ford Family Lincolns
April 17th, 2013When Edsel B. Ford II came upon the 1956 Lincoln Continental MK II last year, he admired the long lines and elegant custom styling of the automobile but didn’t immediately recognize it. Imagine his surprise when saw the original owner’s manual inscribed with his mother’s, Anne, name. Edsel was 8 years old when his father, Henry Ford II, ordered the car for his wife, who drove it for two years before selling it to her personal assistant for use as a daily driver.
The car, now impeccably restored, will be among the many pre- and postwar custom-bodied Lincolns featured at the 63rd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 18 at Pebble Beach Resorts. It also stars on this year’s commemorative Pebble Beach Concours poster, printed from an original painting created by Ken Eberts, founder and president of the Automotive Fine Arts Society. Also depicted on the Concours poster is the 1939 Lincoln Zephyr created for Edsel’s grandfather, Edsel Bryant Ford, who served as president of Ford Motor Company from 1919 through 1943, bringing both style and finesse to the Lincoln marque.
The 1956 Lincoln currently belongs to Rick Schmidt, whose father Jim discovered the dilapidated vehicle in a classified ad. Had they not already owned a 1956 metallic mint green MK II that had belonged to Benson Ford, and a 1956 sapphire blue metallic MK II that had belonged to William Clay Ford Sr.–brothers of Henry Ford II–the Schmidts would not have taken on the project.
Purchased through Ford’s central office, with the names of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ford II on the original factory production order, the car cost $10,000, the price of a house in 1956. The only MK II ordered with a Hartz cloth roof, the interior of the car is upholstered in elegant gray wool broadcloth with red piping and contrasting black leather on the door panels and dash. The car also is unique in that it was finished without a hood ornament at Anne’s request.
Eberts’ final poster artwork will be featured at the Automotive Fine Arts Society exhibit at Pebble Beach that is sponsored by the Lincoln Motor Company and held in tandem with the 63rd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, August 18.
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The Wienermobile Arrives in Denver
April 8th, 2013
Deli Eliot and co-Hotdogger Cookout Kelly are driving cross-country with the world famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile! They are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Wienermobile vehicle’s Hotdogger tradition and just arrived in Denver and will be in the area spreading miles of smiles at local Wal-Mart supercenters April 11th – 13th. Visitors to the Wienermobile will be able to take pictures, play games, and receive collectible Wiener Whistles at events in the area.
Thursday April 11
10:00-1:00, 6675 Business Center Drive, Highlands Ranch
2:00-5:00, 5650 S. Chambers Road, Aurora
Friday April 12
11:00-1:00, 9400 E. Hampden Ave., Denver
2:00-5:00, 2100 Legacy Circle, Elizabeth
Saturday April 13
11:00-4:00, 440 Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood
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