Dream Wheels

From Maseratis to domestics, the 44th Annual New Hope Auto Show has vehicles guaranteed to quicken the pulse. The event takes place Aug. 11-12 at New Hope-Solebury High School.

By: Daniel Shearer
   Among car enthusiasts, there are plenty of people who cringe at the idea of transforming a ’37 Plymouth into a chopped-up low rider with flames and chrome. Naturally, many of these modified cars are prized show vehicles, attracting throngs of dedicated fans.

A 1948 Pontiac from a recent New Hope Automobile Show. Photo by Steve Williams

   Until this year, however, none of these cars ever found their way to the winner’s circle at the New Hope Automobile Show, a world-class event held every year since 1957. That’s because they weren’t allowed to compete.
   "There are a lot of purists at this show," says Tinicum, Pa., resident Steve Williams, an event organizer and board member, "a lot of people who feel that when a car comes off the line, that’s the way it should be.
   "In the past, a lot of people had said they just didn’t want hot rods there, but that’s changing. This is the first year we’ll have hot rods at the show. We wanted to get a younger crowd. We brought in quite a few racing cars last year, we’ll have some again this year, stock cars, Indy cars, and we’ll have hot rods, too."

A late ’30s La Salle.		Another classic vehicle.
Photos by Steve Williams

   Hot rods will have their own category, of course, one of more than 60 divisions judged over the course of the two-day festival, Aug. 11-12 at the New Hope-Solebury High School in Pennsylvania.
   "I always think of the ‘Untouchables’ era," Mr. Williams says. "That’s the car that everybody wants to modify. Chevrolets, Fords, Pontiacs, the cars with running boards."

An interior shot of an unidentified British speedster. Photo by Steve Williams

   Organizers expect between 300 and 400 registered automobiles for each day of the event, and an estimated turnout of nearly 20,000 visitors over the weekend. Antique motorcycles also will be on display, along with foreign exotics, domestics and professional cars — ambulances and even hearses. Each day concludes with a Parade of Champions, with the winners from each category driving by in procession.
   This year’s show will coincide with the New Hope Summer Arts Festival, with more than 30 booths set up on the grounds to show photography, printmaking, painting and jewelry.
   "Each division does get judged," Mr. Williams says. "We have a Porsche division that’s very strong. Thunderbirds also come out big time. It all depends. Every car out there has a club, and sometimes they’ll be out en-masse for the show."

A Ford with gold hood ornament.		A 1957 Ford Thunderbird.
Photos by Steve Williams

   The show’s poster car will also be on display, an aluminum-body Bentley produced for the 1959 Geneva car show.
   "A lot of these cars have been restored," Mr. Williams says. "We meticulously judge them based on the accuracy of restoration. To give you an example, I was with one of judges looking at a Model T. The guy had the hood up, and there were these little pads, so when the hood came down, the pads locked onto the metal.

A mid-’50s pink Buick convertible. Photo by Steve Williams

   "On this car, the pads were screwed on, and believe it or not, he deducted points because the original pads were riveted."
   Most of the cars must be at least 25 years old to compete, with exceptions in certain categories like foreign exotics, which usually draws recent models from Lamborghini, Maserati and Ferrari. Cars are judged against their own make and also by decade.

A late ’20s Packard.		A classic convertible.
Photos by Steve Williams

   "You’ll see a whole section of brand new cars," he says. "Dealers come in and set up the latest Volkswagens, new Chryslers, everything. They’re big sponsors."
   In addition, prizewinners from nationally recognized organizations like the Antique Automobile Club of America are eligible to compete in the Senior Car division for the coveted Governor’s Cup, awarded each year for cars from the pre- and post-1950s eras. Last year’s Governors Cups went to Bristol resident Frank DeSmedt for his 1939 Plymouth Business Coup and Solebury resident Dave Newman, with a 1970 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible.

Each day concludes with a Parade of Champions, with the winners from each category driving by in procession. Photo by Steve Williams

   "I get sort of overcome by it all," Mr. Williams says. "These guys come rolling in with these beauties and my jaw drops. Last year, I got sucked in by a Mercedes Gullwing. A guy drove it up from Bryn Mawr.
   "This car was worth a little over a half million. Just a spectacular car, red interior, silver on the outside. You get all kinds of people. There’s a guy who lives right across the street from the school, has a 1908 Model A, drives it 50 yards into the parking lot every year to show it."
The 44th Annual New Hope Automobile Show will take place at the New Hope-Solebury High School, 180 W. Bridge St. (Route 179), New Hope, Pa., Aug. 11-12, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Musical entertainment begins each day at 10:30 a.m.; Sat: Loose Change, folk music with Chip Mergott, Jennie Avila and Annie Bauerline; Sun: Spook Handy, folk, blues and rock. Adult admission costs $5, children $3, under 12 free. Parking $5 per car. Proceeds from gate admission benefit local chapters of DARE, a youth drug resistance program, and A Woman’s Place, a residence in Doylestown for victims of domestic abuse. For information, call (215) 862-5665. On the Web: www.newhopeautoshow.com