Classic Cars On A Summer Evening

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At the weekly Valparaiso classic car meet on US 30 there’s so much eye candy it's hard to find a place to start. This is a weekly informal gathering where no fees are charged and no trophies or ribbons are given out. There can be up to 100 autos on display. There are regulars who show up but each week brings new models to look at. My favorites are the muscle cars of the 60’s but some 50’s models are attractive to me as well. Feel free to click on the images for an enlarged view in high resolution.


With fully restored and custom classics there’s so much to see from the showroom clean detailed engine compartments to the retro mag wheels and tires. The paint jobs nothing less than phenomenal.


What grabs my attention most are the details and the chrome. Automakers have moved away from chrome over the years and designers incorporate a seamless look blending plastics and metals. I’m sure the reasons are aerodynamic performance and government regulated safety features so maybe that’s why many modern automobiles look alike. They’re so boringly generic. The worst look of all time on autos are the splashy decals, some with neon colors that look like graffiti.


Why I am attracted to these events is not so much for nostalgia, although that comes into play, but for the art. These autos are sculptures, works of art in and of themselves. But the real art is in the details.


I walked around and took photos of the chrome detailing especially the car’s nameplates which was usually is a chrome script and manufacturer's logo giving each their own special brand.



56 and 57 Chevys were most prevalent on this evening. Other times there are more Fords and MoPars with a few exotics and custom hot rods tossed in.


These are all enthusiasts who are proud of what they have. Many of these folks did their own refurbishing and want to share their personal piece of history. There’s no fee to walk amongst these dinosaurs and everyone is very friendly.


Living near a small town has it's advantages. Traditional American values shamelessly live here. Out in the small towns the term "progressive" lives only on auto insurance television commercials. Out here the best things in life are still free, and so are we.

I like it that way.
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