2014

Daytona Turkey Run

DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Nov. 30, 2014 — For the final day here at the Daytona Turkey Run we’ll have the best weather all week. It’s the perfect day here at the Daytona International Speedway for parts hunting and show going as the Daytona Turkey Run goes into its final day. There are some spectacular deals here in the Swap Meet area. Indications are that some of the vendors are starting to mark down some items and you can get some real deals here this morning.

Saturday saw the most action of the extended Thanksgiving Weekend at the Daytona Turkey Run with show-goers packing into the Daytona International Speedway all day. It seems only fitting that so much of automotive history was on display here at the most historic racing venue in the country. We saw thousands of show cars on display at the world famous Daytona Turkey Run car show, swap meet and car corral. It is the biggest car show and swap meet in the Southeastern United States, bar none.

Cars On Line.com is here to bring you all the action at the Daytona Turkey Run. Come on out and join us as we seek out the buried treasures here at the Daytona International Speedway, home of the NASCAR Daytona 500. You never know what you’ll find here at the 41st Annual Daytona Turkey Run.

If you can’t make it to Daytona this year you can experience it through our on-the-spot reports and photos here on this page. Also watch for our posts on Facebook and Twitter all during the extended weekend.

Daytona Turkey Run Car Show …

The Daytona Turkey Run Car Show fields were located at the east end of the Daytona International Speedway on the infield along the fourth turn of the race track. There were also special displays in the Yellow Garage areas. Car clubs had display areas designated for their members. Top quality cars could be seen everywhere. Here are some of the surprises we spotted in the Car Show displays.

We were suprised at how many really unique show cars we found here in the Car Show today. Click here to view more of the top show cars at this year’s Turkey Run.

Daytona Turkey Run Car Corral …

2010 Camaro L550 Pace Car — We were pretty excited to find a 2010 Camaro Indy Pace Car here for sale. You may have heard us say, “You never know what you’re going to find here at the 2014 Daytona Turkey Run.” But it’s not just a slogan. Here is the proof. Little did we know that this Indy Pace Car edition was a Supercharged L550. As it turns out they only built five of these cars and three of them were exported overseas. This is one of only two sold in this country.

There were more unique cars and trucks for sale in the Car Corral today. Click here to see more cars for sale here at the Daytona Turkey Run.

Daytona Turkey Run Swap Meet …

When you watch the people cue into the gates at the Daytona International Speedway for the world famous Daytona Turkey Run car show you wonder where all those people are going. You soon find out as you witness them pouring into the swap meet area. The Daytona Turkey Run Swap Meet is located along the infield and garage areas of the speedway complex. Parts hunters were shoulder to shoulder looking for those special parts they need to complete their project.

You want to get an education on the latest techniques in restoration? Just take a walk through the Swap Meet area on the infield at the Daytona Turkey Run. Not only will you get first hand information on restoration technique, but you will see some of the latest innovations in restoration equipment.

whirly jig — Whirly Jig, a company from Paris, Tennessee, showed us their rotisserie for restoring bodies. They say their jigs are specially engineered to avoid lean or sag while perfectly balancing your body.

Click here to review more of the parts vendors we found at the Daytona Turkey Run Swap Meet.

Bobby Allison Tribute …

They just unveiled the Bobby Allison 1950 Studebaker R2 Pickup at the Daytona Turkey Run here in Daytona Beach, Florida Friday morning. NASCAR legend Bobby Allison had been waiting since 1988 to see his dream come true. Finally today he was able to see the incredible custom restoration of his long waited project truck they call “EJ.”

A large crowd of racing fans and interested spectators filled the Yellow Garage area of the Daytona International Speedway this morning for the event. Bobby Allison and his wife Judy were there along with family and friends for the unveiling. The truck had been under a canvas cover here since Thanksgiving Day. Bobby Allison was introduced by Our Dream Restorations. Our Dream Restorations custom built the classic pickup truck as a tribute to Allison, a man they consider a living legend.

Bobby Allison awaiting the unveiling of his 1950 Studebaker R2 Pickup — Bobby Allison (right) alongside friend Tim Walker, who grew up admiring Allison, await the unveiling of the 1950 Studebaker R2 Pickup just restored by Our Dream Restorations. Click this link to see more photos of the truck.

And there it is, the 1950 Studebaker R2 Pickup truck restored for NASCAR legend Bobby Allison. Click this link to find out more about Bobby Allison and this great American ride.

This is just part of this great story. Our Dream Restorations really paid tribute to their NASCAR friend, Bobby Allison. The Bobby Allison legend is topped by his NASCAR Championship in 1983 and his many victories in Winstons Cup racing. But it has some tragic moments also. The Allison family told us here that there will be a movie about his life thought to be out next spring. Click this link for more of the story and photos of the unveiling of this great American ride.

History of the Daytona Turkey Run …

The Turkey Run was created in 1974 by the Daytona Beach Street Rods. The clubs president, Stu Sarjeant and his five year old son Jim had attempted to enter their 1923 Ford Hot Rod in the 1973 Ormond Beach AACA Gaslight Parade. They were denied entry as no modified cars were permitted. The following year, Sarjeant started the very first Turkey Run. This event hosted 45 cars and was held at the Howard Johnson hotel across from Bellair Plaza across from the beach.

Continuing to grow, the show moved to Seabreeze High School in 1982 and added a swap meet. By 1987 The Turkey Run had grown to more than 900 cars and relocated to a property at the Daytona Beach airport. In 1989 the Daytona Beach Street Rods association partnered with the Daytona Beach Racing and Recreational Facilities District (Daytona Beach Car Shows) and found a permanent home in the infield of the Daytona International Speedway. By this time, the show had grown to over 1,520 show quality cars and 250 swap meet vendors.

Today, the Daytona Turkey Run boasts over 6,000 show cars and over 1,000 swap meet vendors, making it the largest combined classic car show and swap meet in the Southeastern U.S.

Cruising at Hot August Nights

Cruising at Hot August Nights starts prompty every night at 7 PM. And already at 6:30 PM the streets are lined with people staking out their spots along the miles of route between Reno and Sparks, Nevada. Cruising is the best part of this show and what makes Hot August Nights such an enjoyable show to attend. They tell us that there will be over 800,000 watching the cruising here this week. Everybody comes from miles around to get photos and videos of the action.

The chemistry between the cruisers and the crowd is fun to watch. Cruising at Hot August Nights is enjoyable for the spectators as well as the cruisers. All you have to do is show up with your car and you are an instant celebrity. If your car or truck has a hot engine the crowd rewards you if you for revving it up. There are no burnouts allowed here. The “cruise control” is very well maintained.

Here’s how it looked like Thursday evening in the lense of our camera.

Click on any of these photos for a larger view.

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Hot August Nights

Celebrating the Automobile at Hot August Nights

RENO, NV– SUNDAY, August 2, 2014 — More great weather is in store for car lovers here in Reno, Nevada as the last day of Hot August Nights affords a last chance to look at the dream cars that are assembled here to celebrate America’s greatest car show. Hot August Nights was a huge success for promotors and for the cities of Reno and Sparks.

1957 Chevy Custom PIckup — 1957 Chevy Custom Pickup “Quicksilver”

It will be hard to top the excitement that unfolded here on Saturday. The Barrett-Jackson Cup award had received nationwide notoriety when five of the top show cars in the country were picked to be the Top Five finalists here in Reno. The Barrett-Jackson Cup winner was a 1957 Chevy Custom Pickup called “Quicksilver” by its owner Alan Beers of Owasso, Oklahoma. Click here to read all about the Barrett-Jackson Cup award given here yesterday.

Saturday was “Prime Time” here at the Barrett-Jackson Reno Tahoe Auction held at the Reno Convention Center. As usual the Barrett-Jackson Auction company put on an excellent show. To view a Barrett-Jackson Auction should be on everyone’s bucket list. These events are truly spectacular to take in. Click to read our review of the auction action.

Hot August Nights is one of our favorite car shows ever. There’s nothing like cruising at Hot August Nights under the famous Reno arch as hundreds of thousands of people crowd along the streets to get a look at all the cars. Each day there are more cars showing up for the cruises and Show & Shines here in Reno. Cars On Line.com is here covering the action for our newsletter readers. Click here to see some of the cruising at Hot August Nights.

Every night there is drag racing action at John Ascuaga’s Nugget Casino. They actually set up an 1/8-mile dragway, and registered participants at the show take passes to see how fast they are. Here are some of the photos and videos we shot at the Nugget Speedway.

Downtown Reno at Hot August Nights — Downtown Reno was bustling with action on Saturday as spectators got a look at some of the top show cars lining Virginia Street and many of the side streets. The display of cars went on for blocks and blocks throughout the downtown area. You could look all day.

They bill Hot August Nights as “the largest classic car and nostalgia event in the U.S.” You have to be here to understand just how big this car show is. It encompasses all of Reno and Sparks, Nevada. This is the largest car show we have ever seen. Everyday there is a car show at every large casino. With pistons sputtering and wheels chirping all over town there is just a different atmosphere here. You almost think you have been time travelling back to an era when America was about horsepower and pop music was good old time rock n roll.

We also understand why this show could only be held here in the Reno area. It is the perfect spot for Baby Boomers to play and party with their cars. Cars are still king here in the valley of the Sierra Nevadas. The list of daily events at the 28th Annual Hot August Nights is unbelievable. Almost every large casino has set aside a huge area for car show participants to “show and shine.” This year the show judging is a little more formal. Each of the casinos we’ve seen so far has contructed a judging stand and the awards presentations are impressive.

This is where the Nevada car culture was born and cruising still lives in its native form. Stay tuned to this page all weekend for a play by play on all the action here at Hot August Nights 2014.

Click on the stories below to see more photos and videos of Hot August Nights.

Hot-Rod Garage team wins Barrett-Jackson Cup at 2014 Hot August Nights — Barrett-Jackson Cup at 2014 Hot August Nights. (Seen on national TV)

"Prime Time" Saturday at Barrett-Jackson at 2014 Hot August Nights — “Prime Time” Saturday at the Barrett-Jackson Auction. (Click so view top cars sold)

Drag Racing at 2014 Hot August Nights — Top burnout at Nugget Speedway drag racing at Hot August Nights (click for more action photos)

Downtown Show & Shine at Hot August Nights — Big Competition shows up at Downtown Show & Shine in Reno. (Click to view stories and photos)

1970 Plymouth Superbird next to a 1969 Dodge Daytona at Hot August Nights — 1970 Plymouth Superbird next to a 1969 Dodge Daytona. (Click here to see more Show & Shine.)

Mecum Spring Auction at Indy

At the Mecum Spring Auction at Indy this weekend a rare Calypso Coral 1970 Boss 429 Mustang, Lot # S167, sold on Saturday. Only a handfull of Boss 9’s ever wore a coat of Calypso Coral paint (looks orange in the lighting.) This one sold for $255,000 .

Mecum Spring Auction at Indy

At the Mecum Spring Auction at Indy the action got pretty intense as the big-time cars came up to the block. The biggest sale of the 27th Annual Mecum Spring Classic this weekend happened when a 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 sold for a whopping $885,000. The auction hall was packed with buyers and the bidding created the most intense feeling of anticipation for a crowd that was on the edge of its chair as the hammer came down. Click the video window to experience the sale:

Although the auction started on Tuesday, most of the top cars were in the “Prime Time” Saturday lineup here at the fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Hundreds of muscle cars and classic specialty cars were one hand on Saturday to cross the block and be sold when the hammer dropped.

There were lots of surprises here on Saturday. Sellers eyes grew big as top cars were being bid up over $100,000. The 2014 edition of the Mecum Spring Auction at Indy is turning out to be an interesting study in classic car values. Our photo-journalist Bob Boberg was at the show and has some reports for us today.

The Mecum Spring Auction at Indy will run through Sunday, May 18, 2014. It is the 27th Annual Spring Classic Auction by Mecum held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Over 2,000 vehicles were scheduled to cross the block this week. There were some top quality muscle cars for sale here. And we were impressed with some of the famous race cars which would sell, many with incredible pedigree and documentation.

Here are some of the high profile cars we saw on Saturday.