Barrington rolls out new car show for classic collectors
The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce is rolling out a new community Car Show for Classic Car Collectors. The event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 26, in downtown Barrington in the BMO Harris lot, Cook and E. Lake streets.
"We have a high concentration of classic car collectors in our area and in Northwest Illinois," said Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Suzanne Corr. "We want to bring them out to celebrate cars and community and participate in an event that will boost small business and Main Street retailers."
The event will feature a lot full of display cars, car club tailgating spaces, sponsor booths and cars, food, live music, car trivia contests with prizes, and a VIP patio area for adult refreshments on Park Avenue.
The car show will be open to the public from noon to 4 p.m. The VIP Patio will remain open and feature live local music until 10 p.m.
"Collecting classic cars is more than a hobby, it is about preserving a story and a piece of history," Corr said.
Classic car collectors pour their enthusiasm, energy, and, yes, money into restoring and showing vintage vehicles.
"Owning classic cars can be irresistible and emotionally compelling for the stories they represent. They capture the art and history of engineering and design," she said.
Like Jim Steffen's 1975 Excalibur Phaeton. Found in a Crystal Lake garage, the car needed lots of TLC. Excalibur only made about 340 cars in 40 years. With most in Europe and many owned by movie stars, it was a rare find.
Jim started working on the interior last March and worked with Lake Barrington Motor Sports to get it running again. Jim's car will be on display June 26.
Or the 1976 Buick Riviera Kevin Kauppi restored in honor of his parents, Arvo and Sadie. Kevin earned his driver's license in the nearly 19-foot car in 1977. The car sat in his parents' storage for 15 years after his mother's death, until his father gifted it to Kevin on Father's Day in 2008.
1976 was the last year of the Big Buick body styles and 455-4 Buick engine. Kevin's car will be on display June 26.
To nominate a car for the June 26 car show, email Communications@BarringtonChamber.com and include the car owner's name, street address, telephone number (cell) and email address; vehicle information, year, make and model.
Cars must be approved and accepted in advance. No day-of registration will be allowed. A $20 donation supporting the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund is suggested at check-in.
Vendor and sponsorship opportunities are also available, as well as tailgating spaces for car clubs. For information, email Suzanne@BarringtonChamber.com.
The VIP Patio will be open from noon to 4 p.m. on Park Avenue offering adult refreshments, live local music from 4-10 p.m. and other activities. A $10 donation is requested at the gate to support small business programming. Guests must be 21 years or older to enter the area.
For information on the Classic Collectors Car Show, visit www.BarringtonChamber.com.
The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1969, is an association of nearly 900 member businesses representing more than 1,800 business people dedicated to the success and prosperity of the 11 regional communities it serves: Barrington, Barrington Hills, Deer Park, Inverness, Kildeer, Lake Barrington, Long Grove, North Barrington, Port Barrington, South Barrington, and Tower Lakes.