Antique car show promises new spin
Toolbox
By PATRICK McARDLE STAFF WRITER - Published: June 13, 2009
MANCHESTER — While the Manchester Antique and Classic Car Show this weekend at Dorr's Farm is almost a quarter-century old, there is plenty of "new and different" to go along with the "antique and classic."
Land Rover is the lead sponsor, along with a number of other local businesses, for the show's 23rd year and the show is spending its second year in its new home at the farm of local businessman Donald Dorr.
"I'm really excited about our exhibits this year," said Tammie Reilly, organizer of the car show for the Manchester and the Mountains Chamber of Commerce.
The Land Rover Experience, a driving school for owners of the sport utility vehicle, has a location at the Equinox Hotel in Manchester. As their sponsor, Land Rover is providing an exhibit of vintage models.
Dorr is hosting this year's reception at his barn today with music by the Starline Rhythm Boys and barbecue-style food at 5 p.m., followed by a "Vermont-style" barn dance with music by the Allen Bill's Band.
Central Vermont Public Service will be showing its "Plug-n-Go" electric car, part of a program that asks drivers with electric hybrids to consider using off-peak electricity in place of gasoline.
Automobile experts from Chop-Shop Customs, in Woburn, Mass., and B&H Auto Restoration in Danby will be available both days at the show until 3 p.m.
While the car show has traditionally featured a single manufacturer as a sort-of theme, Reilly said this year there will be two — Hudson and Jaguar — giving the show one domestic and one international element.
Reilly said that while reservations had dropped a little this year, organizers were still expecting about 500 cars at the show.
With the car show being an outside event, weather can be a factor in its success. While the National Weather Service is calling for a chance of rain for both today and Sunday, temperatures are expected to be in the mid-70s and the likelihood of rain on both days is 40 percent, according to forecasters.
Reilly said organizers are also pleased that 10 percent of their proceeds will go to Good News Garage. The charitable organization accepts donated cars, repairs them and then provides them to low-income families who need transportation.
The annual parade through Manchester is scheduled for 4 p.m. today while the prizes will be awarded beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Reilly said there will be two other unusual events this year, vintage midget race cars on display today and the Wild Country Cloggers performing at noon Sunday.
"You don't really think of cloggers at a car show but they said they wanted to perform so we said, 'We'll be glad to have you,'" Reilly said.
patrick.mcardle@rutlandherald.com
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