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Enjoy This Massive Car Show at Daytona from Your Couch
It’s April, and for the colder regions of the U.S., car show season is still merely a figment of the imagination, something we think of as we shuffle into the garage to get something out of the freezer for dinner, squeezing by the sleeping beauty waiting patiently for its ignition switch kiss to awaken from slumber. That time is right around the corner, but further south, the shows are already in full swing. Case in point: the Spring Daytona Turkey Run that took place on March 21-23 at Daytona International Speedway. Luckily for cold-weather folks, the Hot Rod Hoarder took a camera along to allow us to enjoy the show from our warm and comfortable couch.
I would have loved to have been there in person enjoying the fair weather just like everyone else, but I’ve got projects to do before driving season hits and the travel time would really hinder progress. Also, seeing the highlights of the swap meet from home definitely helps keep a few dollars in my pocket. From Project Studebakers to spindle-mount American Racing magnesium wheels, there appeared to be a little of everything.
Escape the swap meet and enter the show area and the interesting hardware keeps coming—it’s just assembled now. From a really subtle but wicked 1969 Camaro to an absolutely wild station wagon commissioned by George Poteet and built by Rad Rides by Troy over 25 years ago. A quarter century can be a long time for a custom car to age, and though the color scheme might not be in fashion today, there are many features of that car that still are. To see a custom age so well executed is also impressive.
The two cars that stood out the most to the Hot Rod Hoarder arrived as a pair: A Model A Ford hot rod towing a Chassis Research front-engine dragster. The dragster was featured in Hot Rod magazine in 1964 and retains a fair amount of original pieces—and even some subtle upgrades like the Kent Fuller front suspension. Its survival could likely be chalked up to having lived many years hung from the ceiling of a ’50-style restaurant. The car is now back right-side up and rolling with a really cool SCoT supercharged flathead.
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This digital car show trip only primes my excitement for getting out in my own cars and catching up with all my other car friends as they come out of hibernation. Some of us sleep through winter while others have been working on projects—it’ll be interesting to see what rolls up to the fast-approaching first cars and coffee of the season. If you’re among the fortunate who’ve already been out, no need to brag, the sweltering summer is right around the corner and I’d bet you can already feel the sweat-soaked shirts that come with vinyl seats and un-tinted windows. Maybe that’s what made this video tour so nice, I’m not sweating and in need of a nap after this show.
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