Daytona Beach

2015 Daytona Turkey Run Largest Car Show in the U.S.

Dream Car Build 1955 Chevy at 2015 Daytona Turkey Run — The moment of truth came Sunday at the 2015 Daytona Turkey Run when the CMMC Garage crew would attempt to fire up their 1955 Chevy Dream Car Build.

Dream Car Build at the 2015 Daytona Turkey Run…

DAYTONA BEACH, FL, November 29, 2015 — The tension was high here this morning at the 2015 Daytona Turkey Run as the CMMC Garage crew worked frantically to get the Dream Car Build, a 1955 Chevy Bel Air custom show car, to fire. The pressure was on Paul Newman and his crew from CMMC Garage. The promo for the Dream Car Build had promised that CMMC Garage would be able to accomplish the incredible challenge of assembling a complete show car in just four days. They were supposed to crank the car up today at noon. In fact, there stood the TV crew from Two Guys Garage filming for their April show.

Everything had been going so well up until this morning when the Hydro Booster failed. So they get a new one. That one had a broken piston. So then they took one out of an existing car which they knew was working. That one, after it was installed, had a leak. Crimped a plastic washer when they tightened it down. When they finally had it fixed the filming crew was beginning to have its doubts. But with a big sigh of relief Newman turned the crank and it fired perfectly. The crowd which had been gathered to hear it crank up let out a big roar of approval. This was a moment to remember … a moment from the 2015 Daytona Turkey Run that we will not likely ever forget. Click the video to view the action:

When we heard that one of the displays at the 2015 Daytona Turkey Run would be the Dream Car Build exhibit we were a little skeptical. The idea was to build a show quality custom 1955 Chevy Bel Air 2-Door Post in just four days, from Thursday through Sunday, November 25 to November 29, 2015. CMMC Garage, a local Daytona restoration shop would make history if they could perform the detailed restoration in such a short period of time. They brought in the ’55 body in in pieces and parts on Monday. The chassis had been prepared, but the driveline needed to be installed. Then on Thursday the clock started ticking and you saw them installing the driveline to the chassis, and plumbing and wiring the interior. On the last day of the show, on Sunday, they were to unveil the 2015 Dream Build 1955 Chevy.

Here is what the 2015 Dream Build car, the 1955 Chevy Bel Air 2-Dr, looked like at the end of the day on Saturday.

All chrome trim is on the 1955 Chevy
Hood and deck lid were attached
Glass and stainless has been installed
Bumpers were hung
Engine is all wired and plumbed
Interior done, ready for front seats
Back seats and headliner finished
Everything is straight and fits
Coy wheels with classic custom styling
Looks like a '55 Chevy should

Readers may have caught some of the photos we published of the 1955 Chevy on Thanksgiving Day, the first day of the show, and again on Friday. The CMMC Garage team had started to install the driveline to the chassis. They were working on the body, prepping it for assembly. Here are the photos of how the 1955 Chevy looked on Thursday and Friday.

Here is what the 1955 Chevy looked like on Friday
Body is mounted on chassis
engine and driveline are installed
they were finishing the "plumbing" and wiring the interior
This is what the car looked like on Thursday during the first day
2015 Dream Build 1955 Chevy on Thursday
Custom leather interior waiting to be installed

If you would like to see our Periscope videos of the 2015 Dream Build you can click here to go to our Twitter page. There you will find Periscope broadcasts each day to update you on the work CMMC Garage was doing on their 1955 Chevy build.

Saturday at the 2015 Daytona Turkey Run …

It was a seller’s market on Saturday here at the 2015 Daytona Turkey Run. Some of the top cars we made offers on were already gone by this morning. Sold right out from under us. You don’t want to low ball too much or you might get cut out of the deal. Prices were certainly right, and the buyers knew it. But there were still some bargains to be had as well. Here are some of the best deals we saw here in the Car Corral area on the infield of the Daytona International Speedway.

1969 Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible tribute, asking $26,000
1959 Dodge D100 Sweptline, reduced to $24,500
Ferris Bueller's 1962 Ferrari 250 GT replica, $109,000
1922 Ford Altered Roadster, asking $13,000
1939 Ford Roadster Coast to Coast Roadster, asking $36,500
1954 Mercury Convertible Custom, asking $27,500
1971 Chevy Nova Pro Street, asking $14,900

The Cars On Line team is here at the 2015 Daytona Turkey Run to bring our readers all the live action just as if you were here with us. We’re at the largest Swap Meet and Car Corral in the U.S. If you are looking for that rare part to finish your project car you’re likely to find it here. The swap meet vendors fill up the whole infield and pit area at the 42nd Annual Car Show and Swap Meet at Daytona International Speedway. And the car corral and car club show areas cover the rest of the grounds all the way down to Lake Lloyd at the south side back straightaway.

Operation Celebration at 2015 Daytona Turkey Run …

There is a special tribute to our troops in the Operation Celebration display on the infield of the Daytona Speedway. You can’t miss it because this 1988 Ford F-350 Monster truck is setting next to the performance stage. There will be tributes to the troops and musical groups playing today. The big Monster truck is called “Longfoot” and is covered with patriotic murals. Owner Rick Legrow from Centereach, New York told us he was so angered at how his fellow servicemen were treated after serving in Vietnam that he had to make a statement. He started the project in the 1988 but it has grown into a tribute to all great American heroes. There is a special tribute to 911 Fire Fighters on it now.

We couldn’t believe how many people were coming through the turnstiles when they opened the gates for the Friday edition of the 2015 Daytona Turkey Run. In the giant swap meet area parts hunters were milling almost shoulder to shoulder in some areas. Vendors were kept busy helping “treasure hunters” find those rare parts to finish a project. Over in the car corral area it was the same story. Some sellers were telling us they had several offers on their cars already. The prices were right for this market. They expect over 150,000 spectators to attend the 2015 Daytona Turkey Run this weekend. It seemed to us that they were all here already on Friday morning. Take a look at some of the photos.

Spectators amble through the 2015 Daytona Turkey Run
Car corral area at Daytona International Speedway
Gigantic swap meet area with hundreds of vendors
Car corral with cars for sale as far as you can see.
Buyers mill around a popular find.
Parts hunters trudge throw aisle after aisle of treasure

Living Legends of Auto Racing …

On Thursday we got our first look at the Living Legends exhibit in the Yellow Garage at the Daytona Speedway. With all the great racing history here at Daytona you can imagine that they celebrate the cars and drivers of the past in a big way here. In this exhibit, race enthusiasts from all over the country show their race car tributes, recreations of legendary race cars. Here are some we noted.

Junior Johnson's 1959 Chevrolet won Daytona in 1960
Smokey Yunick's 1967 Chevelle 427 ci ran Daytona 1967
Marty Robbins 1964 Dodge
1965 Dodge AF/X Coronet Drag Car
Fireball Robert's 1961 Ford Starliner Fuelie 427
Tiny Lund 1968 Mercury Cyclone reproduction
1940 Ford Wheel Stander

One of the best races ever here at the Daytona Speedway came in 1967 when Mario Andretti drove for Andy Granatelli to win the Daytona 500. Fred Lorenzen came in second. Another car that looked like it would be the one to beat that year was owned by Smokey Yunick, a 1967 Chevelle with a 427 ci motor. (See a replica of that car in the slide show above.) Lorenzen’s backup ride was this 1967 Ford Fairlane 427 R Code (see photos below.) Lorenzen also drove it at Darlington that year, his last ride for Holman-Moody before he retired. John Kaiser now owns the car and talked to us about it. He says it has been kept almost exactly as it was when it ran at Darlington in 1967. You can see that it still has the cage and interior as it did then. It is very rare to find a real race car that is so period correct.

Fred Lorenzen's last Holman-Moody car, 1967 Ford Fairlane

For more information on attending the 2015 Daytona Turkey Run click here to go to their internet site.

The 2015 Daytona Turkey Run is the 42^nd Annual car show and swap meet held here at the Daytona Speedway. The show was one of the first street rod friendly car shows in the Southeast. It was started in 1974 so that hot rodders had a car show of their own. They now draw over 6,000 cars here annually. It is one of the biggest draws of any car show in the nation with over 150,000 expected to attend.

Bobby Allison’s 1950 Studebaker Pickup

How do you show your appreciation to a NASCAR legend? Our Dream Restorations out of Mooresville, North Carolina had an idea. Tim Walker, an automotive body expert at Our Dream Restorations, knew that Bobby Allison had a Studebaker R2 pickup truck that he had dearly wanted to restore. So Tim Walker and Our Dream Restorations decided it would be a fitting tribute to restore Bobby Allison’s 1950 Studebaker Pickup for him the way he wanted it done. Bobby had seen drawings and artist renderings of what his truck would look like, but until this week he had not seen his dream project completed. Friday here at the Daytona Turkey Run was going to be the day.

They just unveiled Bobby Allison’s 1950 Studebaker Pickup Friday morning at the Daytona Turkey Run here in Daytona Beach, Florida. Being an old hot rodder, Bobby had started by stretching the cab and working on a special Grand National Buick Turbo V6 motor for the car. Then he had several friends who ran shops in the Miami area that did some work for him over the years. But last year the car was still all disassembled and it was looking like it might be one of those projects that just doesn’t happen. NASCAR legend Bobby Allison had been waiting since 1988 to see his dream come true. Finally today he was able to take his first look at the incredible custom restoration of his 1950 Studebaker Pickup truck they call “EJ.” And was he ever proud.

A large crowd of racing fans and interested spectators filled the Yellow Garage area of the Daytona International Speedway tha 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 Dave Chamberlain of Our Dream Restorations, the shop that 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) stood alongside his friend, Tim Walker, who helped build the custom pickup they call “EJ.”

1950 Studebaker Pickup truck restored for NASCAR legend Bobby Allison — After the unveiling spectators could see the intricately detailed custom work that was done in both the paint and body.

Bobby Allison's 1950 Studebaker Pickup — Bobby and Judy Allison get their first view of the beautiful custom interior work.

Buick V6 Turbocharged engine — Bobby Allison admires all the work under the hood done by Our Dream Restorations on his 1950 Studebaker Pickup. The motor is a Buick Turbo V6 Grand National engine all cammed and sounding great.

Special wood bed was designed and installed.

One-off custom wheels — One off custom wheels were designed for the truck

Custom interior — Detailed custom interior work done to a “T’.

Custom graphics took 150 hours to finish — The graphics make the design work. They say the striper spent 150 hours to create this look.

6-allison-signing-autographs — Bobby Allison enjoys meeting his fans and making new friends as spectators line up for his autograph.

We were told that this truck would be debuted last month at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. But as it turns out, Our Dream Restorations never completed the truck in time. In fact, the owner of Our Dream Restorations told us today that they just hung the doors on it Monday night. You don’t want to rush anything when you spent seven months creating it.

Bobby Allison is the storied NASCAR Champion that won many races and sacrificed much for his sport. In 1988, after winning the Daytona 500, he later hit the wall at Pocono and nearly lost his life. The massive head injuries from that crash have left him with no memory of his career. Bobby also lost both of his sons in NASCAR crashes within eleven months of each other. But it was also in 1988 that Bobby purchased this 1950 Studebaker pickup truck you see pictured here. Bobby was an old hot rodder from the Alabama Gang years. He always intended to restore the old truck but it sat in storage for all this time.

After the crash at Pocono, there were so many hospital bills that needed to be paid that the Allison family had to sell most of his cars and racing equipment at auction to raise money to pay the bills. Bobby and Judy Allison paid for the hospital bills out of their own pocket. About the only thing left was this 1950 Studebaker pickup and they couldn’t sell it because it was just there in pieces. It was the only thing that survived from a proud racers long career.

Recently a filmmaker and NASCAR fan decided to put together a TV program and possibly a movie celebrating the life and successes of Bobby Allison. The Allison family told us this weekend that the funding for the movie had been acquired. Barring any delays they tell us the filming may be done by next spring. The 1950 Studebaker Custom Pickup may be a featured part of that script. Our Dream Restorations owner Jeff Arnold said he wanted a new generation of NASCAR fans to get a chance to know Bobby Allison and appreciate his contributions to NASCAR. By debuting the Studebaker truck here at Daytona they believe it may rekindle the enthusiasm for Bobby Allison’s many successes in the sport of racing. Bobby and Judy Allison are scheduled to go on a nationwide tour of car shows to promote the movie.

Allison had given so much to the sport of auto racing, it was a fitting tribute to see so many NASCAR fans here this weekend during the Turkey Run to shake his hand and get his autograph. I think Bobby enjoyed it too.

Click here to review all the action here at the Daytona Turkey Run.

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.

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.

Daytona Turkey Run Spring 2014

On Track for the Daytona Turkey Run Spring 2014

It was Sunday, and the final day of the 25th Annual Daytona Turkey Run Spring 2014 here in Daytona Beach, Florida. All we saw were bright skies and warm temperatures. And the cars! An enthusiastic crowd of spectators was anxious to participate in this celebration of street rods and classic cars. Hundreds of vehicles, spanning several decades, and representing an array of brands and models, lined the Daytona Speedway infield. Later, as a climax to this three-day event, the cars took a lap around the track. Photo-journalist Bob Boberg publishes special reports on car shows from his website eClassicAutos.com. He was on hand to capture these photos for us this weekend. Click the link to view his posts on his website and to follow him on Twitter.

Here are some of the car sightings.

For more photos of the Daytona Spring Turkey Run go to eClassic Autos.com gallery page.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr's 2014 Chevy Monte Carlo, winning car at the 2014 Daytona 500 — Dale Earnhardt, Jr’s 2014 Chevy Monte Carlo, winning car at the 2014 Daytona 500. Notice they stuck some of the confetti to the car to replicate what it looked like during the victory celebration after the Daytona 500 in February.

Saturday at the Daytona Turkey Run Spring 2014 car show the Daytona Speedway cleared out in the wake of thunderstorms coming through the area. But you are never at a loss for things to do here. So we pulled some strings to get into the Daytona Speedway Museum to see Dale Earnhardt, Jr’s 2014 Chevy Monte Carlo displayed there. This was the car he drove to victory in the 2014 Daytona 500 in February. You’ll notice that they stuck some of the confetti from the victory celebration on the car as if it was caught in the moment of time forever. Although the museum has been closed since 2009, Earnhardt’s Daytona winning Monte Carlo is displayed in a private area. The museum is scheduled to reopen in 2016 to promote a recently acquired collection of historic race cars.

You know it is the start of the collector car show season when everyone gathers at the Daytona Turkey Run Spring 2014 edition auto extravaganza. The spring edition of the Daytona Turkey Run draws show cars mostly from the local Florida area. This weekend has been a great kickoff for the 2014 collector car show season.

Friday at the Daytona Turkey Run Spring 2014 on the infield at the Daytona Speedway with Daytona track in the background.

1959 Chevy Stock Car Daytona Turkey Run Spring 2014 — 1959 Chevy Impala replica of the winning car at the 1960 Daytona 500 NASCAR race

1966 Mustang K Code Fastback on the infield at the Daytona Speedway for the Daytona Turkey Run Spring 2014

Our photographer Bob Boberg is capturing some of the action here in Daytona Beach, Florida home of the Turkey Run. He says the excitement is in the air. People are enjoying getting their cars out on the track. During the Turkey Run collectors can run their cars on the famous 2.5-mile track where NASCAR runs the Daytona 500. On Friday a special display of 60 Mustangs was on hand. They were given first privilege to run the famous Daytona Speedway high banked oval, one of the most famous race tracks in the country.

A whole herd of Mustangs on the track at Daytona Speedway for the Daytona Turkey Run Spring 2014. Friday was a special day for Mustangs at the Turkey Run. If you had a Mustang in the special display you were allowed to take your cars out on the Daytona Speedway for a controlled display run.

Bob Boberg publishes special reports on car show from his website eClassicAutos.com. Click the link to view his posts on his website and to follow him on Twitter.