Camaro Was On Hand For the Pumpkin Run Nationals

 When Ford introduced the Mustang in 1964 it not only kicked off a sales bonanza but also the beginning of a new class of automobile, the pony car. While it's true that Plymouth beat Ford to market by a hair with their Barracuda, the Mustang was the one that set the bar. That pushed General Motors into action to try to compete in what they saw as a vast under served market. They introduced two cars into the fray, the Pontiac Firebird and the more successful Chevy Camaro. Though they shared the same platform and many of the same parts, heck, the cars were even built on the same assembly lines, the Chevrolet outsold its stable mate. That's one reason there are so many Camaros still around and why the 47th Pumpkin Run Nationals saw so many roll into the Clermont County Fairgrounds this past season. Here are just some that were on hand for this event.

Cadillac Brought Luxury To the Pumpkin Run

Cadillac is not only one of the oldest auto makers in the United States, having been founded in 1902, it is without a doubt the oldest luxury car brand in the country. By 1909 Caddy had become a part of the growing General Motors company, sitting comfortably at the top of their food chain where they continue to sit today. While the brand exudes luxury and expensive automobiles, there were still a good number on hand at the 47th Pumpkin Run Nationals, including a couple that had been somewhat modified. Here are some that were on hand.

More Variety At the Pumpkin Run Nationals

Each year the Clermont County Fairgrounds is taken over by around 2500 cars and trucks, all from 1974 or before, as the Pumpkin Run Nationals is held. Put on by the Fastiques Rod and Custom Car Club, this is perhaps the regions largest old car event. With that many vehicles on hand there is sure to be a good selection and variety on hand. This past season's event was no exception with a 1963 GMC Jimmy, a 1959 Lincoln Continental convertible, a very rare Kaiser-Frazer Henry J, a Cobra, a Ford GT, a 1964 Imperial (back when it was its own brand), and a cool looking kit car.

Pontiac Went To the Pumpkin Run

In 1926 General Motors introduced the first Pontiac automobile, the Series 6-27. The car was to be marketed as one step down from GM's mid-level Oakland automobiles but the Pontiac was so successful that by 1931 Oakland was discontinued and Pontiac became its own brand. Nestled ahead of Chevrolet and behind Oldsmobile and Buick, Pontiac thrived. By the 1960s it became a leader in the muscle car era thanks in big part by then president John DeLorean (yes, the same). By the 21st century, though, sales began to slip and in a cost cutting measure GM closed Pontiac as it had Olds six years earlier in 2004. Pontiac continues to have a strong fan base as seen by the numbers that roll into old car events. In fact, the 47th Pumpkin Run Nationals saw a large selection show up for this past season's event. Among them was a 1956 Star Chief, a LeMans, a few different model years of GTO, and a Firebird.

Bow Tie Country Was Full For This Past Pumpkin Run Nationals

The Pumpkin Run Nationals, sponsored each year by the Fastiques Rod and Custom Car Club, is unique for many reasons. First, it is the largest old car event in the region, this past year drawing 2500 vehicles. Another aspect is that they only allow entries of cars and trucks that are from 1974 or before. While they will allow anyone to park anywhere on the Clermont County Fair Grounds lot, they set aside three spaces for specific brands. They call these countries. There is Ford Country, MoPar Country, and Bow Tie Country. The latter, while referring to the Chevrolet logo, is open to all GM made cars and trucks. But the majority of rides in this country are without a doubt, Chevy. Among those on hand was an Impala, a 1972 Nova, a 1964 Chevy II, a 1971 Nova, an El Camino, a 1971 Malibu, an Impala convertible, and a fairly rarely seen 1961 Corvair station wagon.

Some Nice Variety Showed Up To the Pumpkin Run

Any event that draws more than 2500 cars and trucks is going to offer up a bunch of variety. Throw in the fact that all of the vehicles have to be from 1974 of before and you are sure to find some interesting rides on the show field. That's the case with the 47th Pumpkin Run Nationals which saw a lot of different entries roll into the Clermont County Fair Grounds. Among them was a dew covered 1968 Lincoln complete with suicide doors. Also on display was a Willys Jeep, a 1951 Crosley, a Checker Marathon station wagon (yes, the famed cab company actually made other vehicles), a 1940 Packard 110, a 1952 Crosley station wagon, and a restomod Willys Jeep Wagoneer.

Mustangs Galloped Into the Cleremont County Fair Grounds

Ford introduced the Mustang in 1964 sparking not only one of the biggest crazes in American automotive history but also providing the name for a whole new style of automobile. While Plymouth technically beat Ford to the market with the first official pony car, the Barracuda, Mustang has vastly outsold all of the others in that class which features, among other things, a long nose and a short deck. With so many 'Stangs sold it's easy to see why so many continue to gallop into car shows and events all over the world. But when a show is like the 47th Pumpkin Run Nationals, held at the Clermont County Fair Grounds by the Fastiques Rod and Custom Car Club, that only allows cars from 1974 or earlier, only those first generation Mustangs and the second gen model from it's first year are eligible. Still, there were plenty on hand for this past year's event. Here are some.