Customs Showed Up For the Pumpkin Run

 When the Pumpkin Run Nationals started it was a way for some folks to show off their custom cars. Now in its 46th year, the Pumpkin Run, sponsored by the Fastiques Rod and Custom Car Club, accepts all kinds of cars and trucks as long as they are from 1974 or before. Still, there are a lot of customs that continue to show up. Here are some that were on hand that day.

Falcons Flew To the Pumpkin Run

The end of the 1950s saw a change of mindset with the big three Detroit automakers. Up to that point Chrysler, Ford and General Motors had concentrated on making mostly full size cars but that was becoming unfeasible. Families were moving to the suburbs and found themselves suddenly in need of a second, smaller car. Plus, the profit margin for those big cars was shrinking. Add to that the fact that smaller cars from Europe and Japan were making their way to American shores and the Big Three all started to turn out compact cars. In the case of Ford, it was the Falcon. Introduced in 1960 it would make it through three generation before officially ending in 1970. During that time the Falcon had all sorts of variations from station wagons to vans. But even when Falcon production officially ended it lived on. It's basic chassis was used through 1980 in such cars as the Maverick and the Granada. But the most famous car to come from the Falcon parts bin was, of course, the Mustang. There were plenty of Falcons on hand at this past season's Pumpkin Run Nationals. Here are some of them.

More GM At the Pumpkin Run

For decades General Motors had a full line of automobiles designed to have a brand to suit everybody's budget. Ranging from the entry level Chevrolet to the luxury Cadillac, GM aspired to make a car for everyone. The original car company that basically created GM was Buick and it has always sat just below the Cadillac in the pricing hierarchy, followed by Oldsmobile. These may not be the most common GM lines but there are enough of them around to provide a nice selection for this past season's Pumpkin Run Nationals. Among the cars on display was a 1970 Olds Cutlass, a 1940 Buick sedan, a Buick Special, a LeSabre, a 1968 GS 400, and a 1971 Regal.

Chevy Brought Some Bel Airs To the Pumpkin Run

For about a quarter of a century Chevrolet made a full size automobile called the Bel Air. Starting in 1950 as a trim that became its own model in 1953, Chevy made the Bel Air through the 1975 model year. Most people into the old car hobby are mostly familiar with the second generation of the Bel Air. Often called the Tri-Fives, this version of the car came out in 1955 and ran through 1957. These are incredibly popular among many in the old car hobby and that is why there were so many at this past season's Pumpkin Run Nationals. Here are some that were on display that day.

There Were Even Foreign Cars At the Pumpkin Run

Now in its 46th year, the Pumpkin Run Nationals, sponsored by the Fastiques car club, started life mostly as a way to show off customs and hot rods. Over the years more and more muscle cars were added and then all sorts of American metal began to show up. Today, as long as it is from 1974 or before any car from around the world is welcomed. That attitude brought out a number of imports including this fabulous 1964 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III. OK, full disclosure, this car belongs to a dear friend of mine and it shows up in a number of posts throughout the year. Also on display was a Triumph Spitfire, a Datsun 260 Z, a 1969 Opal station wagon, a Volkswagen Beetle, and a 1972 Honda Z600.

Hot Cars On a Hot Day

Even a heat index in excess of 100 degrees couldn't keep over 130 hot cars from turning out for the 9th Annual Route 42 Car Show held at Lifehouse Church. Among those cars cool enough to stand the heat was a Ford Maverick, a 1969 Dodge Coronet, a 1965 Pontiac GTO, a Mazda Miata, a Challenger, and a Camero.

Some MoPar On Display At the Pumpkin Run Nationals

Happy New Year. There was plenty of MoPar metal on display at the 46th Annual Pumpkin Run Nationals sponsored by the Fastiques. Among them was a 1974 Dodge Challenger,a 1969 Plymouth Super Bee, a Chrysler 300, a 1935 Dodge sedan, his and hers Super Bees, and more.