2017 Old Car Fest-Dearborn

[Jeff/Illinois]

Anybody up there??

I spoke with a friend today at a local car show that has a 1917 Willys Knight that is a show car, mint condition, and he usually goes to Dearborn but this year stayed away due to the unpopular changes. He called a buddy that WAS there and his buddy told him there were maybe 200 cars. Last year they had 900 he said.

Stu also told me that heads were on the chopping block from what happened and there would be changes for 2018.

The $50 forfeit fee was one sore spot that people were mad about.

Any other info on this year's event? I went last year and loved every minute had a blast.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

This is the first year that I did not attend in the past 5. My kids were not all that enthused about going again this year, and as such we made the decision early on not to even send in registrations. We have taken 3 different vehicles, -and 2 vehicles taken each year out of the past 5 years, and I feel bringing my same cars was getting a little stale. I think that was an issue the staff was trying to address is the same car owners keep coming back year after year with the same car. I found it to be a thrill to see 700-800 antique cars that you have never seen before, and even the 2nd or 3 year is exciting but after several years of seeing the same vehicles attending, things get stale. I am hoping to have restorations done on my Maxwell and my '15 by this time next year, so I will try to attend again next year with fresh vehicles.

As far as "heads rolling", I don't know if that is truly accurate. Several key hobbyists such as Marty Bufalini have been diligently working with the HF staff (especially after Motor Muster), and based on their first-hand feedback, they claim that the staff realized their mistake(s) and they are trying to right the wrongs. For those of us who have attended in years past knew there were issues they were trying to address, and the pendulum of the clock just swung too far, but again they understand what went wrong and are working to make appropriate corrections. There are several topics around on this subject but here is a good one to read.

[Bob from Northport]

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Just came in for the night . There are definitely fewer cars at the show than previous years. But the crowds seem good by late afternoon. The biggest problem is there is no one directing the cars anywhere for any of the events. Parking is disorganized. Fewer employees from the village in the entire show. But still lots of great cars and trucks!!

Brent-I looked for you. Sorry you didn't get there!!