Granite State Season Opener

May 22, 2021 — Our New England bodies, so recently gripped in the cold, damp, frosty final days of winter, aren't really prepared for a 90-degree day in May, but that's what we got for the Granite State Season Opener in Deerfield, New Hampshire. Hosted by NH Muscle Cars on the sprawling Deerfield Farigrounds, the July-like 90 was achieved in spite of mostly overcast skies with only occasional peeks of sun.

Turnout of both cars and spectators was impressive, with food concessions and other vendors doing a booming business. The show included a swap meet, live band and police dog demonstration. Not a face mask was in sight at this show reminiscent of pre-pandemic times. With vaccinations up and COVID cases in decline, it brought hope of continued improvement and a return to normal.

Last September's NH Muscle Cars show at Deerfield featured a good mix of American classics of the '30s, '40s and 50s, along with the usual muscle cars and customs we'd expect at a show sponsored by muscle car enthusiasts. This year's show was heavily dominated by the muscle variety with less participation by other classes. But it was a good show with high turnout and hundreds of cars, and promised a life beyond COVID.

My photographic coverage of this event can be seen at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/graniteopener/

Tank Demo Weekend

May 16, 2021 — I'm really broadening the scope of my so-called "Vintage Cars" page. I'm wondering if I should change the name of it to "Transportation Page" or "Anything That Moves Under Its Own Power Page." My most recent series is an exhibit and demonstration of military tanks. In the past I've included not only cars and trucks, but trains, airplanes, boats and even horses.

The Tank Demo Weekend at the American Heritage Museum in Hudson, Massachusetts was a demonstration of tanks speeding around a dirt track, along with exhibits of arms and other equipment and memorabilia from both world wars, with re-enactors dressed in authentic uniforms on hand to answer questions.

An announcer gave a running commentary on the tanks and other activities throughout the day. A highlight was a talk by a 97-year-old former tank gunner in Patton's Army in World War II. I can only hope I have his energy, humor and memory at that age, assuming I make it that far.

All three museums in the complex were open, American Heritage, Historic Aircraft and Classic Car Barn (ah, that makes it a legitimate entry in my Vintage Cars Page). There's video of the tanks and excerpts from the World War II vet's commentary, along with photos of the various military displays, and links to my visit to the American Heritage Museum in 2019 and the Aircraft Museum and Car Barn in 2015. You can see it all at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/tankday/

Bentley's Saloon First Car Show

May 9, 2021 — My third car show this early in the season bodes well for a good year, and these weren't small shows. All three were well-attended and drew a large number and variety of vehicles. Bentley's Saloon First Show of the Season, a day-time show in Arundel, Maine, launched Bentley's long season of cruise nights. I'm not good at estimating number of vehicles, but I think 200 would be in the ballpark. Not only the number, but a surprising variety greeted spectators.

Of course, there were the usual street rods and customs. I passed up many late model muscle cars because they dominated every show in 2020, but I did include a few I thought were exceptional. The show also included some stunning restorations of American standards from the '30s, '40s and ''50s. A few European models gave the show an additional touch of class.

So many motorcycles arrived in a steady stream throughout the day, they were turned away late in the show when there was no more space for them. I included photos of a very few, but my primary goal is to present 4-wheel vehicles.

If you're a fan of late model muscle cars, you'll find plenty of them in my 2020 shows. My coverage of Bentley's Saloon show can be seen at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/bentleys/

Cruising the Mountains 2021

April 24, 2021 — NH Muscle Cars knew scheduling a car show in April in the mountains of northern New Hampshire was a risky proposition. Snow and icy conditions are common in that region, sometimes into May. In fact, it did snow a few days before the show was scheduled. But they won their bet with Mother Nature. The sun came out, temperature climbed to near 70 and all the snow melted by the day of the show.

Littleton Elks Club Lodge 1831 hosted the show at their property in neighboring Bethlehem. Show cars drove in a parade beginning in Concord, 90 miles to the south. There were 40 to 50 vehicles and they drew an impressive number of spectators. There was a good variety of vehicles, including muscle cars, trucks, customs and '50s and '60s standards. Trophies were awarded.

You can see a selection of my favorites at this link:

https://www.linwoodstreet.com/mountains2021/