Make-a-Wish NH

June 21, 2025 — On the first Saturday without rain since March 15, I picked what may have been the smallest car show I've ever seen. With the ungainly name of  CJR & KPC Charity Show for Make-a-Wish NH, it featured cars beautifully restored by CJR Logistics LLC.which hosted the show along with Keyser Pond Campground.

Billed as a car and motorcycle show, it ran from 12 noon to 7 p.m. I arrived at noon and found less than a dozen cars. Three or four more may have drifted in before I left at 1:30, and no motorcycles. It wasn't convenient for me to spend another five-and-one-half hours there that day, so for all I know many more vehicles may have showed up.

But the cars I did see were gorgeous and made the trip worthwhile. A standout was a red 1942 Pontiac convertible. A couple of Camaros, a highly customized 1934 Hudson Terraplane, a Mercury Capri from around 1985 and a 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass rounded out the small collection. Because of the small number, I took pictures from multiple angles of some of the cars, particularly the Pontiac. You can view the results of my efforts at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/make-a-wish/ 

 

Boston McLaren/Unique Car Care

June 8, 2025 — Still searching for shows with something different to offer this season, I discovered another at East Coast Flightcraft of Massachusetts in Middleton. Cars were provided by Boston McLaren and luxury car detailer Unique Car Care. Other cars were entered by independent owners. Flightcraft showcased their luxurious, high-performance boats.

The cars were the cream of European luxury, such as McLaren, Porsche, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz and others. Flightcraft brought out some of their finest boats, and their showroom was open. Prices and payment options were attached to most boats. At least one topped half a million dollars.

Open this link for a look at what only the 1 per cent can afford:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/mclarenunique/

 

Tractor Pull & Car Show

June 1, 2025 — A little different than my usual offerings, but a fun show where contestants attempt to manually tow a fire truck, one a 1938 International weighing 9,200 pounds, the other a late model monster, currently on active duty on the Manchester, New Hampshire Fire Department, weighing over 12 tons. The show was held at Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Merrimack, New Hampshire.

No one, man nor woman, had a problem moving the '38 International, pulling it from a standstill with a rope and cable hookup. The 12-ton Manchester truck was a different story. No one could budge it except one exceptionally sturdy gentleman who managed to move it a few feet. It was finally towed by a couple of teams, one of which was all ladies.

There was also a small exhibit of cars. I've included three videos in my coverage, including towing by individuals and teams, and my ride in the International as I interviewed the driver. Be sure to play them, they're the best part. You can see it all here at:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/firetruckpull/ 

Londonderry Memorial Day Car Show

May 25, 2025 — A relatively small show dominated by Pontiacs. The show is hosted by Nor-Eastern Chapter, Pontiac-Oakland Club International. This show is held in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Many of the same cars return year after year but I always find something I haven't seen before, or at least can present in a different way photographically.

This year two very high-mileage cars, both in remarkable condition, got my attention. One was a 1984 Pontiac Parisienne Brougham with 266,000 miles on the clock, all logged by the original owner. The other was a 2007 Chrysler 300C that's been 208,000 miles. This model is a luxurious but sedate sedan with little in common with the 1957 Chrysler 300C, a full-size muscle car, also pretty luxurious, one of Chrysler's fabled "letter" cars of the late '50s and early '60s.

This is a short series you can get through quickly. Have a look at:

 https://www.linwoodstreet.com/londonderry2025/

Granite State Season Opener

May 18, 2025 — My second show in two days, mix of sun and clouds and drier than yesterday's show at Bow. This was the Granite State Season Opener hosted by NH Muscle Cars at Deerfield Fairgrounds in Deerfield, New Hampshire.

I expected lots of muscle, custom and personal cars, the show being sponsored by a muscle car club, but at this show they dominated more than usual, with standard vehicles hard to find, but they were there if you had the time and patience to search this sprawling fairground, one of the largest in New Hampshire.

I included many muscle and customs, plus most unmodifieds I could find, including one from World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker's brief career as a car manufacturer and a Bentley allegedly used by Jackie Kennedy Onassis. And did you ever hear of the Jackson?

See these and other rare vehicles at:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/deerfieldspring25/

Bow Rotary Car Show

May 17, 2025 — The 14th annual Bow Rotary Car Show, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bow, New Hampshire, with proceeds benefiting local communities and charities, began on a cool, drizzly morning. The unpleasant beginning to the day kept attendance well below normal for this show. But those who showed up and stuck it out weren't disappointed.

There was a good mix of vehicles, old and new, domestic and imported, custom and unmodified. You can see my coverage of the show, somewhat dulled by leaden skies, at this link:

 https://www.linwoodstreet.com/bowrotary25/

Bentley's First of the Season

May 11, 2025 — I read in today's Union Leader that New Hampshire has had measurable precipitation every weekend since March 1. Being retired, I hadn't really noticed since I can get necessary things done outdoors any day of the week. But when it continued into April, show car season, and weekend shows began postponing or cancelling, it got my attention.

The weather broke at last on a Sunday (it rained Saturday) and I finally got to my first show on May 11, a full month at least later than many years. It was Bentley's Saloon's first show, one of many shows they put on every year at their saloon, restaurant, lodging and camping complex in Arundel, Maine. The weather was gorgeous, low 70s, bright sun. This was worth waiting for.

Forecast is for rain again this coming Saturday and Sunday, so I don't know when I'll be posting another show. Until then, you can see my coverage of Bentley's show at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/bentleys2025/