It’s widely believed that the NFL, NBA and NASCAR are experiencing a decline in attendance at their games and races. According to Baseball Reference.com even teams like the New York Yankees are seeing a decline in the numbers of fans attending games. Several lower-level NBA teams experienced major drops in attendance and while the NFL still has the highest total revenue, it’s losing attendance every year.

Recently Mary and I attended two different car shows that, in the past, had huge fields of cars as well as large number of attendees. One show has a high ticket price and we were accosted by scammers on the parking lot pushing an obviously fake charity, certainly not an auspicious way to start a car show experience. The other show was free but both had two major characteristics in common: A lack of cars and a lack of attendees both of which added to my lack on interest.

Yet I find it interesting that my local Cars & Coffee at The Vehicle Vault in Parker CO and the First Saturday Cars & Coffee in Colorado Springs  are full of interested spectators and lots of interesting cars. In fact. I see far more interesting cars at Cars & Coffee than I’ve seen lately at traditional car shows.

Mary believes this is because of two factors:

Car owners increasingly have rejected the “sit around all day in the sun” car shows and like the low key, show up when you want and stay as long as you like feel of Cars & Coffee. They also seem to like what seems, to both of us, the more social aspects of these events.

Those same factors, I think, appeals to spectators along with the fact that the events are free. We also see more young people at Cars & Coffee events than at traditional ”sit in the sun” car shows and I think this appeals to the social media aspects of these shows too, producing lots of tweets and Instagram posts about the show. For a great example of this, please check out Ken Nelson’s Instagram feed.

What do you think? First, do you agree that the number of attendees and well as cars exhibiting at traditional shows has gone down in recent years or is my perception limited to the shows that Mary and I attend. Second, if you have an opinion—either way—on this, let me know by clicking the Contact button above and tell me about it. I’ll compile some of the responses in a future post and the best response will win a nice prize.

If you enjoyed today’s blog post and would like to treat me to a cup of Earl Grey tea ($2.50), please click here. And if you do, thanks so much.

Mini Remastered by David Brown Automotive is the second model to be produced by the low-volume, British coachbuilder. Based on a classic Mini, it combines the iconic Sixties car’s looks with modern technology and luxury hand-finished materials.

Each car is built by hand using brand new body panels to create smooth and accurate surfaces with perfect shut lines. The exterior shape has been refined, visually softened and ‘cleaned’ by de-seaming the silhouette and welding in structural beams, with additional support struts for rigidity. Each car also undergoes a soundproofing process.

The car’s is infotainment and navigation system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a four-speaker sound system, keyless-go, USB connectivity and charging, as well as push-button start and remote central locking. The interior has sculpted seats with a hand-trimmed interior and a combination of paint, leather and fabric finishes to the dash. There’s retro Smiths dials, a Moto-Lita steering wheel, and—surprise, surprise—a cup holder.

David Brown completely rebuild each classic 1275cc engine Mini engine and power is increased by up to 50% more than the original unit. Teamed with a fully reconditioned four-speed gearbox, upgraded suspension and brakes, emphasis has been placed on reliability—not my Clubman’s bets features—and driving dynamics.

Prices are still to be announced, but you can be sure it will be expensive, even more so that whatever the highest new Mini prices are.

• Date: Sunday, September 20, 2015,
• Location: Oak Park, 64th Place and Oak Street, Arvada, Colorado.
• Time: Registration (for entrants) begins at 8:00 am, Voting (by spectators) ends at 12:30 pm

A gathering of over 500 English vehicles (cars, 4WDs and motorcycles) is the largest in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States.

It was first started in 1983 as a joint effort of the many English car and motorcycle clubs in the Denver area. The Austin-Healey, Jaguar, Lotus, MG Car Club, MG T Register, Morris Minor, Rolls Royce, Sunbeam, Triumph, TVR, Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing and British Motorcycle Association clubs will all take part in the planning and promotion of this annual event.

The purpose of the Colorado English Motoring Conclave is to further the operation, preservation and owner participation of the great British marques. You’ll see a wide assortment of British marques, learn of sources for specialized services, enjoy food, fun and entertainment in the park and visit local vendor.

This is a big sprawling show so there won’t be a formal or informal PhotoWalk but please say “Hi!” to Mary and I when we see you at the show.

Mary and I are fourth on the list at the dealers to get a 2013 MINI Paceman sometime early next year. She wants a blue one like this…