The Ford Barn

mhsprecher · 11-05-2016, 09:41 PM

Aspen Hill Shopping Center in Silver Spring, MD has an annual car show. I had never been, so I took my 1928 roadster today. It is a fairly small show and I had the oldest car there. Most cars were hot rods, but I think my car drew the biggest crowds. I had many people poring over the car and asking many questions. A few wanted to sit in it and have their photos taken, which I was happy to oblige. Given that the show was in a shopping center, it was not your normal car show crowd, just average folks for the most part and it was a good opportunity to talk about the car and what it is like. A number of older folks came by reminiscing about the cars they or their family had owned, including a 91 y.o. WWII vet who said a 29 roadster was his first car.

One young man asked if I would start the car up, which I did. Boy did that draw a crowd, as most had never heard a car like that run before. Someone asked about using a crank, so i got mine out and gave it a short tug and it started right up.

I had not expected the car to get the reception it did, but I had never done a show like that before. Maybe shows like that are a good way to help promote the hobby.

My car is on the right, a nicely restored Mini next to me and Chuck McDonald's 31 slant window on the left.

1931 flamingo · 11-06-2016, 09:10 AM

Shows like that are always a lot of fun.
Paul in CT

BILL WILLIAMSON · 11-06-2016, 10:22 AM

I've met MORE people, when just going to the Drug Store for Q-Tips & Dental Floss!
Bill W.

Anteek29 · 11-06-2016, 10:38 AM

I agree with Bill...
My '29 gets attention in the parking lots when I drive it on shopping trips.
Always can have a chat and answer questions - makes the hobby fun.

JtownJoe · 11-06-2016, 11:31 AM

Same here, I use my Tudor for as many ordinary errands as the weather permits, always spurs interest in the old Model A's.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 11-06-2016, 05:17 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

In the drug store---"Bet you own that Black Model A outside"----"How did you know"?-----"You just got that LOOK"!
Bill Paranoid

Synchro909 · 11-06-2016, 05:36 PM

Not Model A but in 1999, I was sitting in a friend's Lotus super 7 outside the local store in Canada. No body gave the car (or me) a second look as they came and went but the store owner knew what it was and said to the owner: "Is that a lotus? Boy, those things can really move." From that moment on, everybody coming out stopped to look. I couldn't work out why the change till the owner told me what happened inside. We still laugh about it.

C26Pinelake · 11-06-2016, 06:06 PM

looks like you got a leaner to the driver's side! Wayne

mhsprecher · 11-06-2016, 07:19 PM

I use my for errands and the like, too. I get a lot of attention, but yesterday I had a lot of long conversations with a bunch of people, probably 6 or 10, plus the kids and others that were fascinated by it. Very different from what I get at a more formal car show. It was fun.

marty in Ohio · 11-07-2016, 08:33 AM

When I'm at a show with Margaret, my '30 town sedan, and people come up to look, I ask them "if they are looking or remembering." That usually starts a conversation. The older folks usually tell me how their uncle taught them how to drive "in a car just like this."
Marty

John Kuhnast · 11-07-2016, 08:56 AM

I drive a 1931 pick up. Most people say nice car?

BILL WILLIAMSON · 11-07-2016, 09:53 AM

As I got back in Minerva, after gassing up @ Bad Buds', a BIG group of High Schoolers came in to get Sodas & Jerky & asked, nicely, "May we take yours' & the cars' pic"? They asked a hundred QUESTIONS! REALLY neat KIDS!
Bill Smile

Y-Blockhead · 11-07-2016, 11:12 AM

We were recently in a car show put on by my Grandson's High School PTA. All proceeds went to student functions.

We were the only "near original" Model A there and the second oldest, beat out by a '24 T. Even a couple of the 'Hot rodders' came over to check out my Town Sedan.

We had a great time. I find these small local shows fun and rewarding when they benefit a cause. Thanks for sharing your event.

Synchro909 · 11-07-2016, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

As I got back in Minerva, after gassing up @ Bad Buds', a BIG group of High Schoolers came in to get Sodas & Jerky & asked, nicely, "May we take yours' & the cars' pic"? They asked a hundred QUESTIONS! REALLY neat KIDS!
Bill Smile

It always brings a smile to my face when people, especially young ones show interest and it's also nice when they ask before they start snapping pics.

Y-Blockhead · 11-07-2016, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synchro909

It always brings a smile to my face when people, especially young ones show interest and it's also nice when they ask before they start snapping pics.

Just so they don't ask if you bought it NEW!!

11-06-2016, 09:10 AM	#2
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,428	Re: Aspen Hill Shopping Center Car Show Shows like that are always a lot of fun. Paul in CT

11-06-2016, 10:22 AM	#3
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Aspen Hill Shopping Center Car Show I've met MORE people, when just going to the Drug Store for Q-Tips & Dental Floss! Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

11-06-2016, 10:38 AM	#4
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 1,008	Re: Aspen Hill Shopping Center Car Show I agree with Bill... My '29 gets attention in the parking lots when I drive it on shopping trips. Always can have a chat and answer questions - makes the hobby fun. __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

11-06-2016, 11:31 AM	#5
JtownJoe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 343	Re: Aspen Hill Shopping Center Car Show Same here, I use my Tudor for as many ordinary errands as the weather permits, always spurs interest in the old Model A's.

11-06-2016, 05:17 PM	#6
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Aspen Hill Shopping Center Car Show Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) In the drug store---"Bet you own that Black Model A outside"----"How did you know"?-----"You just got that LOOK"! Bill Paranoid __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

11-06-2016, 05:36 PM	#7
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,044	Re: Aspen Hill Shopping Center Car Show Not Model A but in 1999, I was sitting in a friend's Lotus super 7 outside the local store in Canada. No body gave the car (or me) a second look as they came and went but the store owner knew what it was and said to the owner: "Is that a lotus? Boy, those things can really move." From that moment on, everybody coming out stopped to look. I couldn't work out why the change till the owner told me what happened inside. We still laugh about it. __________________ I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. Even at my age, I still like to look at a young, attractive woman but I can't really remember why.

11-06-2016, 06:06 PM	#8
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Aspen Hill Shopping Center Car Show looks like you got a leaner to the driver's side! Wayne

11-06-2016, 07:19 PM	#9
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,963	Re: Aspen Hill Shopping Center Car Show I use my for errands and the like, too. I get a lot of attention, but yesterday I had a lot of long conversations with a bunch of people, probably 6 or 10, plus the kids and others that were fascinated by it. Very different from what I get at a more formal car show. It was fun.

11-07-2016, 08:33 AM	#10
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 806	Re: Aspen Hill Shopping Center Car Show When I'm at a show with Margaret, my '30 town sedan, and people come up to look, I ask them "if they are looking or remembering." That usually starts a conversation. The older folks usually tell me how their uncle taught them how to drive "in a car just like this." Marty

11-07-2016, 08:56 AM	#11
John Kuhnast Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 564	Re: Aspen Hill Shopping Center Car Show I drive a 1931 pick up. Most people say nice car?

11-07-2016, 09:53 AM	#12
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Aspen Hill Shopping Center Car Show As I got back in Minerva, after gassing up @ Bad Buds', a BIG group of High Schoolers came in to get Sodas & Jerky & asked, nicely, "May we take yours' & the cars' pic"? They asked a hundred QUESTIONS! REALLY neat KIDS! Bill Smile __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"