Special Cars Found at the Villages Cruise
Contributed by Ed Sindoni The setting for this show is throughout the square and connecting streets in the Spanish Springs area of The Villages. This is an open show, but priority is given to Villagers, and if the vehicle limit is reached (usually about 250), then others may park outside of the show area, but not be eligible for awards. Also, vehicles must be at least 25 years of age….we’ll see about that. Each month one of the many...
TRUE 1928 Survivor Hot Rod “Deja Vu”
Contributed by Dana Barlow Deja Vu was originally my high school hotrod from 1959. From 1957 through 1959, 1 found parts and designed it into a running hotrod. In the late 1950’s, things were made and not bought in most cases. In the early 60s, stuff was not made yet or too high dollar for me. As a teenager, I incorporated many unique features into this car. In some ways, the parts I was able to find shaped the build. This is most...
What’s it REALLY Like to Build a SEMA Car
Written by Tara Bush and Zip Simons of Street Metal Concepts Do you ever wonder how the custom cars get chosen to display at SEMA (Speed Equipment Manufacturer Association) every year? Do you have to know someone special or be damn good at what you do to get a spot? I met Zip a few years ago and he gave me the scoop on what he had to go through to get there, honestly. At the time of your build, Street Metal Concepts was a young...
Cool Wheels Plus Much More
Contributed by Tara Bush Where would you find sunny, blue skies and 85-degree temps in the middle of winter…South Florida, of course. On January 19 I headed to Deerfield Beach to the Quiet Waters Park for the 9th annual YATC Cool Wheels Car Show. I’d heard rumors but I wanted to see for myself. It was well worth the 3 ½ hour trip in a 53-year-old classic, but there was much more than just a car show in this beautiful park. It was...
Q&A with Tint World Orlando
Contributed by Tara Bush and Pete Muller I never gave much thought to tint on a classic car but after traveling thousands of miles across the country on the Hot Rod Power Tour in June, my new aftermarket AC wasn't doing much good. Between the window gaps, floorboard heat, and the sun radiating through the windows, I was a hot mess (and not in a good way). I asked Pete Muller, from Tint World Orlando, what could be done and he...
Ponies Under the Palms Event Coverage
Contributed by Ed Sindoni The Mustang Club of West Central Florida held its 28th annual “Ponies Under the Palms” Mustang and Ford Show at Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton) on Sunday November 24, 2019 attracting over 170 participants. The field was mostly comprised of Mustangs ranging from the first generation 64 1/2s, Mustang IIs (you remember those, don’t you), Fox bodies, Bullitts, and current generation, a good number of Mercury models...
24 Amazing Views of Ford’s Detroit Plant circa 1917
Below is an amazing array of postcards from 1917 with pictures and statistics of the Ford's Detroit plant, the world's largest automotive...
C&C Palm Beach & More
Contributed by Tara Bush It’s late September, just a hint of coolness to the air, and we decide to head south for the 6 annual Cars & Coffee Palm Beach with Steve’s new ZR1 Corvette. Even though it is on the bottom of the exotic scale, for the money you can’t beat the performance. Normally when I go out of town, I do my best to cram as much as possible into the time I’m away from home, therefore you can’t drive 3 hours and go to...
I Bought a Film-Famous Murcielago for $80K, and Then Things Got Weird
Written by Freddy “Tavarish” Hernandez and published by Haggerty Supercar ownership ain’t what it used to be. Pop open any social media app and you'll be thrust into a sea of barely-post-pubescent man-children braying about how getting their sparkly one-off Ferrari three weeks out of high school was a result of 49 percent “rising”, 49 percent “grinding”, and… two percent having a semi-absent dad who served as lead counsel for...
Quail Run RV Park Show
Contributed by Ed Sindoni Located in Pasco County near Wesley Chapel, Quail Run presents an annual “car” show to raise funds for their designated charities. It also entertains the many day visitors who enter the property on Old Pasco Road, as well as the residents parked in one of the 292 available RV sites. One of the very best parts of this venue is the availability of at least some shade as old oaks tower over many of the...
Carlisle’s Winter Autofest at Lakeland
Contributed by Ed Sindoni Talk about an event with something for everyone, this is it. Five people can go to this, split up once you get there, and focusing on your interest, never see one another until you’re ready to leave. Let’s take a quick look at what was offered. Airplane rides were offered in a Stearman bi-plane and for some extra $, some aerobatic thrills could be added. The Corvette Fun Field was packed with both newer...
Billetproof Show at Don Garlits Museum
Contributed by Ed Sindoni For those who don’t know what a Billetproof Show is, let me paraphrase, “It is meant for those who build their own traditional style rods and customs on a limited budget. NO billet-clad, digital gauge, pastel graphic, named after a fifties song trailer queens.” You may be thinking “rat-rods”, but then you’d be surprised. To add to the festive atmosphere, was a Tallahassee band, The Intoxicators, who were...
Car Show Don’ts
Written by Tara Bush and video contributed by Casey J Porter of Combustion Chamber This video should be mandatory viewing material for all new car show attendees. We all love spectators and we all love showing off our cars and trucks, but from time to time, we all experience that one person sitting in our car or the sticky fingers running along the top of the fender, or better yet, the sexy wantabe model laying across the hood. I...
Kissimmee Mecum Auction Event Coverage
Contributed by Ed Sindoni The “local” Mecum Auction is usually held the first two weeks of January (I attended on Tuesday, the eighth). Gates open at 8AM, spectator admission at the gate is $30 (on line prior to show it’s $20 + fees), and parking is $10 cash. Already you’re thinking that this is similar to another Orlando area theme park (let’s not even begin to discuss food and drink prices), but it truly is the absolute best car...
The Villages Monthly Cruise In
Contributed by Ed Sindoni Working at traffic control on Saturday January 19, you had to know things were going to be difficult. Located in the town square from morning until early afternoon was a festival, which had to to cleared before the classic vehicles would be allowed to being parked in the same area at 2:30. Let’s add to the mix absolutely perfect weather, and about 400 anxious drivers waiting to fill those festival spaces. ...
Let’s Take a Ride – The Ormond Loop
Contributed by Tom Quinn, Mercedes-Benz Club of America Central Florida Is it possible, that when you live somewhere long enough, you start to lose sight of what’s in your own backyard? Have you ever heard someone say “There’s just nothing to do here!” indicating the need to hop a plane to somewhere, anywhere, more interesting?. That’s exactly what I heard the other day in line to checkout and I couldn’t help but think about the...
Better Off Dead: A Camaro Story…
Contributed by Russ Muller Photography Owner Don Musica, Winter Springs Published in Eckler's Chevy Classics Magazine There’s only a handful of movie cars that are instantly recognizable to most people; Burt Reynold’s black Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am, John Milner’s ’32 Deuce Coupe from American Graffiti, Steve McQueen’s Bullitt Mustang. But there’s a famous Camaro out there too, albeit not quite as instantly recognized. If you...
FCS Monthly
April 2024 – Beware of Thieves March 2024 – Choosing a Restoration Shop February 2024 – Car Show Judging January 2024 – What Baffles Me December 2023 – Frugality November 2023 – How Do You Choose? October 2023 – Oh, What Could've Been September 2023 – Preparedness August 2023 – Road Trip Tips July 2023 – Take a Drive June 2023 – Hot Rod Power Tour Time May 2023 –...
3 Novas Before Age 19
Contributed and owned by Tara Bush, owner FlaCarShows.com In 1984, just before my 16th birthday, my Father offered me a Horizon as my first car. Not much of a car guy but wanted something dependable and cheap for his little girl. The guys in the neighborhood had cool cars and I wanted one too, plus I lived down the street from the drag strip. So I chose option two; decline Dad's dependable car and got Mom approved 1967 Chevy II...
Vive la Différence! Rare 1967 Acadian Canso SD
Contributed and owned by Tara Bush, Longwood Photos by Russ Muller Photography Published in Eckler's Chevy Classics Magazine By the age of 18, I owned three Chevy II Novas; a daily driver, a weekend show car and a wannabe race car. I still own the black show car after 28 years, and it’s best known locally as one of the few six-cylinders left in existence. Those early years started me on a lifelong passion for classic and musclecars. I...
Florida Car Scene – A Year-Round Experience
Contributed by Steve Klein – Photos by Russ Muller Photography When people think of Florida, sunshine, palm trees, beaches, amusement parks and drinks with umbrellas often come to mind. However, Florida, and Central Florida in particular, offers much more for car enthusiasts of every sort and is home to thousands of amazing cars and a very strong and active car community. There are multiple shows, races, and other show...
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