photos by Jeff Bohen
For the Love of Cars 2015
by Cate Murway
37th Annual Bristol Antique Auto Show 2015: Sunday, May 3
LONGEST RUNNING FREE EXHIBITION AUTO SHOW IN BUCKS COUNTY
Wow! Look at that car!
The Bristol Borough Business Association has sponsored the Annual Bristol Antique Car Show since 1978. Vintage automobiles and special interest vehicles have the power to draw classic car connoisseurs to admire the evolution of mechanics, design, and efficiency that have given the world some of its most gratifying four-wheeled art. The BBBA perennial car show is usually attended by automobile aficionados of all ages who have one thing in common: they love cars. That’s the only requirement.
Classic enthusiasts can indulge their passion on the first Sunday of May 5.3.2015 when a bevy of custom and classic American and foreign cars will be proudly displayed. Some call the event a cherished trip to travel back in time and experience American nostalgia at its best.
Professional judges from Early Ford V8 Club will score each car according to a uniform set of guidelines and will present trophies in various categories. 60 Trophies are awarded in 2 judged classes: stock- “best of show” and modified “best of show” and the “People’s Choice”, voted by the participants.
The 37th BBBA Car Show, just as always, will be a family friendly event offering live music, food, and fun. Spectacularly restored and maintained antique, classic, and muscle cars, beautiful icons of American culture, take over historic Mill and the first block of Radcliffe Streets. See the classic American automobiles that defined different generations and shop and dine in the Borough that honors its historic past and embraces its wonderful future; Historic Bristol on the Delaware. Local restaurants like “Bristol Stop” and “Café Bombay” offer an array of savory and sweet eclectic menu selections. Make sure to leave room for a most delectable treat, Frank Keating’s Funnel Cakes. Those warm, sweet cakes never fail to bring back happy childhood memories!
Join the myriad of visitors as they browse through, an opportunity to take a gander at these stunning rare vehicles, some fast, gleaming, cool cars and some, memories of "back in the day". The world we live in can often seem hurried, unsympathetic, and complex, so take “a moment in time” to revisit once more and chat about fire breathing engines, tire smoking hot rods, and the one that got away.
With the all somewhat similar design of cars today, the hard bodied box type cars of yesteryear emit a certain aura of glamour and a luster of sophistication, further stoking a desire for cars in general.
Recall fond old memories and make some new ones.
Historic Bristol is quite a jewel of a town and proves to be the best place to find some awesome cars. Rain date is Sunday May 17, 2015.
Richard Peter “Rich” Vallejo, proprietor of “Another Time Antiques”, has always been the driving force behind the BBBA Antique Car show. Even everything about his own shoppe on Mill Street is classic.
“I’m a car person. The 1st year, there were more trophies than cars!”
The BBBA show has grown by leaps and bounds and now sells out each year.
Rich’s late father, Angel Vallejo, a bridge, port and mining engineer, ran the Southside Hudson dealership on 17th & Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia. “I started building hot rods when I was 15 years old”. After WWII, his Uncle Felix Vallejo sold government surplus vehicles. His “Felix the Cat” sign for his Felix Used Cars, once commanded the corner of Broad & Packer Avenues where the Walt Whitman Bridge is located.
Rich knows quality. He owns an elegant 1989 cream Maserati TC with saddle tan interior. He purchased the “new car, limited edition, in Hamilton Township.” Another of his special vehicles is his 2006 white Mercedes CLK 350, also sporting a saddle tan interior.
Auto Shows are an American pastime. If there’s one thing that can bring people from all around together, it’s a love of cars and some contestants covered miles of road from PA, NJ, MD and DE just
to get to the show. Previous exhibit highlights, according to the book of Rich, were a “1949 Olds coupe with a re-worked V8 engine, original forest green body; and an Auburn made in 1932, a classy brown & beige car”. And about 10 years ago, “beauty queen, Hurst Performance Inc.'s Miss Hurst, Linda Vaughn attended the Auto Show.”
The first Hurst/Olds was the 1968 Hurst/Olds that shared its body with the regular Oldsmobile Cutlass and 442, but had a unique Peruvian Silver and Black paint scheme.
Roland and Megan Hems III, owners of “Hems Truck and Auto” on Farragut Avenue, always totally enjoy
[8:00AM- 11:30AM] “the Bristol Elks Lodge #970 Sausage & Peppers Breakfast before the Mill Street Car Show”, the longest running car show in Bucks County.
They are most proud to offer their “Hems” special to all veterans.
“We Honor and Support our Vets and Soldiers and to show our gratitude we offer FREE State Safety Inspection!”
Sponsors for this festive event include First Federal of Bucks County, the local community bank located on Mill Street. The main sponsor, a former Mill Street business and current BBBA member, is W. Bruce Beaton Company, Inc. Insurance.
The BBBA is always looking for sponsors to help offset the expense of the Auto Show. This would be a terrific opportunity to promote your agency and give your business exposure not only in the community, but also with antique car owners throughout the area.
The event is FREE to the public and there is NO CHARGE for spectator parking in the Mill Street lot.
Registration fees apply for auto entry. $15 PRE- SHOW / $20.00 DAY OF SHOW.
Participation is open to properly insured classic cars only. All production automobiles built before 1993 are welcome!
Whether you love cars or love someone who does, this is one event you do not want to miss!
Anyone interested in exhibiting an original or restored car at the show should call Rich @ 215.788.3131 for more information.
Come join us May 03, 2015 [10:00 AM to 4:00 PM]. You really AUTO be there!
Registration forms for the 37th Annual Bristol Borough Business Association Antique Car Show are available at
Another Time Antiques
301 Mill Street
Bristol, PA 19007-4810
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
picture courtesy of Paul Spector
