Trucks On Monmouth

 

Like a lot of classic and collector car events over the past several years, the Wheels Back On Monmouth show in Newport saw a lot of restored and restomod trucks on hand for this year's event. This group includes trucks by Chevrolet and Ford.

Historic Cars In a Historic Town

 

Most people outside of the region probably don't know the somewhat sordid history of Newport, KY. The town was pretty much born and raised on vice and corruption. Well, not entirely but there was more than its share. Newport hosted casinos and brothels back when both were very illegal. How did they get away with it? Well, those people in charge were essentially sharing in the profits. The Volstead Act in 1919 did a great deal to bolster the crime element of the city as it became a hotbed for running illegal alcohol. Even into 1980s gambling, girls and guns were a part of the city's make-up. (On a side note, I remember my older brother's bachelor party taking a tour of the numerous Newport strip clubs. Ah, memories.) Today Newport is destination for entertainment and events, a mix of new construction and old town charm. And it is the host of the Wheels Back On Monmouth car show which saw over 150 vehicles roll onto the city's main street in support of Police Night Out. Among the cars on hand was a 1967 Chevrolet Nova Super Sport, a 1978 Chevy Nova, a 1964 Pontiac Tempest station wagon, a Lincoln Continental, a Ford Maverick, a 1943 Mercury, an Oldsmobile Starfire convertible, and a Datsun 280 ZX. 

Second Time's A Charm For Wheels On Monmouth

 

Newport's Wheels Back On Monmouth car show suffered a blow from Mother Nature and had to be postponed for a week. While the event went off the second time around rain still threatened and kept numbers to just over 150 or so vehicles. While the weather got better throughout the day, this show, which usually draws well in excess of this year's attendance, still saw a number of really cool vehicles roll onto the city's main street. Among the cars on display was a beautiful Chevrolet sedan complete with original suicide doors, a Chevy II, a Chevy Nova, a Ford Fairlane, an Oldsmobile W-30 Hurst Olds, a Porsche 911, a Chevy El Camino, and a spectacular 1929 Cord L-29.

Chevelle Had Wheels On Monmouth

 

Introduced in 1964 as part of General Motor's A-Body platform, the Chevelle became one of Chevrolet's best selling cars. A mid-sized car that was offered in two door and four door versions of a coupe, a sedan and a station wagon with some versions offered as convertibles, the Chevelle became a major force in the muscle car wars waged by Detroit's Big Three. With engines growing as large as a 454 cubic inch big block V8, the Chevelle had plenty of power which attracted plenty of buyers. The Chevelle continues to be a popular collector car which was evidenced by the number of them on hand at this year's Wheels Back On Monmouth event held in Newport. Here are some of the Chevelles that were on hand.

There Were Camaro Wheels Back On Monmouth

 

Chevrolet introduced the Camaro in the 1967 model year to compete in the pony car wars that were started when the Plymouth Barracuda was introduced in 1964, about a week before Ford rolled out its Mustang. The Camaro saw production end in 2002 only to see it start up again in 2009. There was a nice selection of Camaros on hand for this year's Wheels Back on Monmouth car show in Newport. Here are some of them.

Wheels Back On Monmouth Supports Police Night Out

 

The Wheels Back on Monmouth event held in Newport, blocked off the city's main street for eight full blocks. The show raised money for Police Night Out which supports a number of local organizations and helps with police and community relations. This year's show was initially rained out and the make-up date featured the threat of rain which held the number of cars that attended to a little over 150. Among them was a GMC Vandura, an International Harvester Scout, an AMC AMX, a Toyota Celica, an AMC Marlin, a 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe, a Ford Starliner, and a custom Ford van.

Bel Airs Put Their Wheels On Monmouth

 

Introduced in 1950 by Chevrolet as a designation for their two door hardtops, the Bel Air became its own mode in 1953 as the top of the line, full sized car in Chevy's stable. The first generation rad through the 1954 model year. It is the second generation, those 1955 through 1957 cars, that are perhaps the most popular at old car events. These so-called Tri 5 Chevys were big and heavy and sold well. The Bel Air actually had eight generations with production ending in 1981. There were quite a few Bel Airs on hand at the Wheels Back on Monmouth event in Newport. Here are some of them.