The Ducktail Run and James Dean Festival is happening this weekend.

The 2 events are in towns about 20 miles apart. Supposedly, the Ducktail Run (so named due to the hairstyle that was popular then) came about because the James Dean festival people didn’t want “late model” (meaning 60-70s muscle cars) at their event, saying spectator parking was outside the park.

I have been going to both event since I started driving. I will say the James Dean festival has lightened up the last few years. I didn’t care for the clientele there, you definitely got the feeling the older crowd didn’t want the muscle cars and hot rods. Too many people there thought customizing their car was seeing how many tiny American flags you could put on the hood of your Model A.

Having said that, the last few years has been much more enjoyable. There are lots of muscle cars, modifieds, antiques, etc.

The Ducktail Run has always catered more to the 50-60-early 70s cars. Up until a few years ago, they didn’t allow anything newer than 1975 unless it was customized. I think the did change that ruling. The swap meet is also much better than James Dean. They

You cant ask for much better weather. I couldn’t tell you the last time it wasn’t either 95 degrees, or raining. Suppose to be in the 70s and clear.

 

I bet either one of those would be a blast. Make sure you post pics.

 

If I was in Indiana, I'd be there

 

I like this one.


Jim Davis (author of the Garfield comic strip) was born in nearby Muncie Indiana. Garfield the cat dressed in James Dean style outside one of the James Dean museum




Always wanted a Duster. Buddy in high school had a Demon with a 340/4 speed.

 

I’ll post some more pics later