CLEVELAND, Ohio — Car enthusiasts rejoice. Though many attendees to the third day of the 2025 Cleveland Auto Show flocked to the newest models, it was the classic cars that made many feel like they were home.
Thousands of people crowded the I-X Center for the 10-day show. Jeep, Hyundai, BMW, Volkswagen and more dazzled attendees in a sea of cars that people could sit in, test drive and even go on a special track in.
Toward the back of the exhibition were dozens of classic cars that enticed people of all ages.
Among them a forest green 1929 CMC Gazelle, a creme and burgundy 1930 Lincoln Model LS, a 1956 Lincoln Premier, a bright yellow 1973 Volkswagen Superbeetle and a matte purple 1987 Pontiac Fiero GT.
The Western Reserve Historical Society’s Crawford Auto Aviation Museum brought a 1961 MG Midget MK 1 to display. Catherine “Cat” Kizer won four races in 1979 with the car. Kizer went on to donate the car to the museum, said Stan Kohn, who helps coordinate the volunteers who restore cars for the Historical Society.
Though the museum is in University Circle, its 150,000-square-foot facility in Macedonia houses most of its classic cars that get switched around depending on the exhibit, Kohn said.
“Most of our cars are donated, although there’s a few that have actually been purchased,” he said. “At the museum itself, we have on display about 130 cars. In the entire collection, we probably have well over 200 cars.”
There were also people like Pete Randel of Mentor-on-the-Lake, who enjoys classic cars as a hobby. Randel brought two of his classic cars, along with other members of the International Edsel Club, a classic car club.
“I grew up in the ’60s when these cars were popular,” he said, beaming next to his aqua blue 1958 Edsel Pacer Convertible. “I loved the cars and it’s fun meeting a lot of great people.”
1/42
Another aspect of this hobby includes maintenance, which Randel said takes patience.
“A lot of parts are not available for this car here,” he said. “You can only get them off donor cars. So, it’s tedious, but you enjoy doing it.”
Randel added that the best part about doing the show is being inside from the winter weather and talking cars for 10 days.
Valerie Hamilton of Cleveland paid particular interest in the blue ‘58 Edsel Pacer.
“The classic cars, that’s the era I grew up in,” she said. “My brother and them, they all have classic cars. I want a classic car, but I like the Lincolns with the kissing doors.”
Hamilton added that she hopes they include more classic cars in the next Auto Show.
The 2025 show kicked off on Friday and runs through Sunday, March 2. In addition to the vehicles, the show has a schedule of family-friendly events and attractions.
Read more: Cleveland Auto Show returns with latest models, test drives, special tracks, more
发表回复