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.

• 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.

The Morgan policy of continuous improvement has led to a comprehensive review of the vehicle’s characteristics, resulting in some important updates: –

Chassis – latest development increases torsional stiffness and improves handling

Center Drive Unit – increased durability and smoother power delivery

Bevel box – isolated to improve overall noise vibration harshness

Steering – engineered to satisfy a broader range of markets internationally, eliminating bump and increasing high speed stability

Urban Cooling Pack – provides cool air to the engine in urban driving conditions

Styling – comprehensive new graphics list, color combinations and vented body work

’30/30′ Warranty – extended 30 months or 30,000 miles, terms and conditions apply

The Colorado English Motoring Conclave celebrated its 30th anniversary of the annual event on Saturday and Sunday, October 5 & 6, 2013, at Oak Park, 64th Place and Oak Street, Arvada, Colorado.  The gathering of over 500 English vehicles (cars, motorcycles, and 4WDs) is the largest in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. But it’s more than a car show, on Saturday the cars take to the roads with a tour and there’s a show on Sunday that I photographed in 3D. Note: You can learn more about how I made these images in a previous post and will need 3D glasses to view the images in this and my other post. You can purchase inexpensive (less than two bucks) 3D glasses here.

The Colorado English Motoring Conclave was first coordinated in 1983 as a joint effort of the many English car and motorcycle clubs in the Denver metro 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 all take part in the planning and promotion of this annual event. Now 30 years down the line and The Colorado English Motoring Conclave is the largest and best-known British motoring event in the Rocky Mountains. At the car show, you will see a wide assortment of British marques, learn of sources for specialized services, enjoy food, fun and entertainment in the park, visit local vendors and take advantage of some super deals. Bring the kids and share with them the fun of classic vehicles.

If you have an English car or bike you should enter in 2014 or at least attend the car show. The purpose of the Colorado English Motoring Conclave is to further the operation, preservation and owner participation of the great British marques. The condition of your bike or car is not important! This is an event for ALL British vehicles, from beaters to everyday drivers to Concours examples.  Just look at it as a giant group therapy session.

If you enjoyed today’s blog post and would like to treat Joe to a cup of Earl Grey tea ($2.50), click here.

Along with photographer Barry Staver, Joe is co-author of Better Available Light Digital Photography with new copies are available from Amazon for $21.50 with used copies selling around five bucks. For some reason, the Kindle price varies.