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Did my yearly trip to Newport, IN for the Hill Climb Festival and took my old van to the show (and for much better parking). The event is a two day spectacle of timed hill climbs, a car show, a flea market, carnie food, swap meet, raffles, and just hanging around and being an American. Attached are pics of hill climb cars and car show cars.
I have not been in years and I only live about 45 minutes from there. It changed from what it use to be. I see you got a picture of Bob Kerr and his Buick. I think this is the first time for him to not take an Oldsmobile. I was going to go last year because I knew Dennis Gage was going to be there but ended up not going. I would like to meet him someday.
Most excellent show John, thanks for the pictures. Lots of my favorites in there. And lucky you, get to park next to a 66 Corvair.
Yes, the Corvair was there the second day. Nice car. Owen, a young man with the Dodge camper, and I spoke at length about traveling in vans. His parents used that van in FL to camp for four months last winter, so it is completely functional, just needs paint.
Originally Posted by Vintage Chief
John - I echo what Mike said. What a great event. Had to have been lots of fun. Thanks for sharing the great pictures.
It's the second biggest motoring event in Indiana behind the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.
Originally Posted by BangScreech4-4-2
Good show, John -- thanks. Looks like a beautiful fall day. How are the temperatures in Central Indiana this time of year?
Warm this year. The first weekend in October is a sure bet on weather. Usually it is 50 to 70. This year it was 60 to 83 or so.
Originally Posted by BlueCalais79
Great post, great photos, who won the uphill climb?
I don't know. To win your class, you need best score of seconds of run time X displacement in cubic inches. Lowest wins the class. The "hill record" is a straight time, however. It is 22.17 seconds right now. I don't think it got beat. 40s trucks with low gearing, modified Ts and fast 50s discontinueds all have a chance, but I think the latter is disqualified from the overall run.
Originally Posted by jensenracing77
I have not been in years and I only live about 45 minutes from there. It changed from what it use to be. I see you got a picture of Bob Kerr and his Buick. I think this is the first time for him to not take an Oldsmobile. I was going to go last year because I knew Dennis Gage was going to be there but ended up not going. I would like to meet him someday.
Bob and I hung out a lot with Wes and Tara and Rusty and Dave Williams. Bob ultimately did not make a run due to the Buick being spooky. He did escort several Newport princesses in the parade. I saw Dennis Gage last year there, did not go talk to him.
John, thank you for taking the time to take all these great pics. Its refreshing to see "Old Iron". Some very nice cars and trucks, even if they weren't "Con Cours Restorations".
John, thank you for taking the time to take all these great pics. Its refreshing to see "Old Iron". Some very nice cars and trucks, even if they weren't "Con Cours Restorations".
No prob. It's about the only place where everything isn't LS powered.
Originally Posted by lshlsh2
Nice pictures. Did you enter your van in the hill climb?
No I did not. It is too new. The hill climb is any vehicle 1942 or older, non-OHV motorcycles to 53 I think, and discontinued makes (before 1970) that are 1955 or older (like a Studebaker 55 Commander, but not a 55 Olds, or a 55 Chevy). I am contemplating a late-model-run 55 Studebaker Commander with stick, overdrive, the larger V8, and the higher numerically geared rear for a racer.
Kaiser per the K on the badge once I zoomed in on the high res version on my phone. I am not familiar with this make or model.
Thanks John, From what I remember, Kaiser and Frazier were last produced before they were bought or merged with Rambler or went bankrupt. I am thinking about 1954 was the last year. I thought I recognized the roof line and body style.
John - That looks like an awesome event! Thanks for your mammoth effort to take all those pics and share them with all of us! I can see why you go back year after year! 👍
