Memorial Day Car Show, Pt. I

For as long as I can remember, my hometown of Rochester, MI, has held a vehicular showcase as part of it's "Heritage Festival", each and every Memorial Day weekend.

Normally held on Memorial Day itself, the show typically consists of a wide array of domestic vehicles, but every once in a while, it'd offer some rather unusual subjects as well. Subsequently, this show introduced me to cars like the BMW Isetta, Studebaker Avanti, Amphicar, Crosley, Jensen Interceptor, and strengthened my love affair with the DeLorean DMC-12.

In an unusual move, this year's Heritage Festival marked the first advent of a "two-day" car show. Cars shown on Saturday (today) were not judged in any way, shape, or form, but were under the scrutiny of whatever passers by there were.

While turnout was limited, this show was no exception, and some rather unique cars appeared. Photos, and a few videos of arriving vehicles, are below.

• 1969 DeTomaso Mangusta
  
  
  
  I'm not certain what I love more about this car - the gorgeous styling from Giguario's stint at Ghia, or the fact that it's powered by a Ford 302 cu.in. V8 in the rear. A gorgeous car from any angle, and as the video proves, it attracts both audible and visual attention.
  



• 1967 Land Rover Series II 109" NADA Wagon
  
  
  
  Caught your breath yet?
  
  The long name basically indicates that this is a long-wheelbase Land Rover that was built for the North American market - something that in itself, makes the truck extremely rare.
  
  This wagon was all-original, extremely clean, and very well optioned (Arctic Pack, Tropic Pack, Roof Rack, etc...).
  
  



• 1957 Chevrolet Lumber Truck
  
  
  
  While this truck's at this show every year, it's still rather unique.
  
  A Chevrolet full sized truck underneath, the entire cab, bed, and body have been removed, and fitted with a one-piece steel body that maximizes load space - most notably via a one-man cab.



• 1976 AMC Pacer X
  
  
  
  I smiled as soon as I saw this - and let's face it, what about this car doesn't make you smile?
  
  I'd attended a Michigan AMC meet last summer, and despite more "fishbowls" being in attendance then, none of them were as nice and clean as this example.
  
  It seemingly wore an unusual "Patriot Edition" stripe kit, but it lacked the side graphics as seen in this example. Anyone know anything about this?



• 1954 Chevrolet Corvette
  
  
  
  This is what I call design perfection.
  
  While I also hold soft spots for the '63-'67 'Vettes as well, the very first version of the C1 is, in my mind, one of the most unmolested car designs ever rendered into fiberglass.



• 1963 Chevrolet Corvette
  
  
  
  Aside from missing hood ornaments and 'hood louvres' (they were sitting in the cargo area), this car was clean, and apparently, all original.



• 1950 Mercury Sedan
  
  
  
  Isn't it refreshing to see one of these that hasn't been chopped, channelled, and made into the stereotypical lead slead?
  
  It's a testiment to the FoMoCo design team at that time that even stock, the Merc still looks low-slung, sleek, and smooth.

More pics will come from tomorrow's show.

Have a happy Memorial Day weekend; God bless and thanks to all those who have served - or still do - for this country.