Walking around the auxiliary lot at the Gerstell Academy overhearing the conversations of show goers, you heard very similar sentiments over and over again.
“mid-November is a bit risky for a show” … “for a first time event 50 cars, ain’t bad.”
Despite being under publicized and even making CollectorCarGuide.net’s list at the last minute, the 1st Annual Gerstell Academy Car Show (benefitting the Wounded Warriors Project) was a better than expected turn out.
Proceeds from the $10 registration were donated to Wounded Warriors, and other than starting off a little chilly it was a great event with a large variety of cars from the local area. The free coffee and breakfast items really helped take our minds off the cold.
It was a people’s choice judging format using a ticket system. Etched glass awards were given out for 1st thru 4th places. Mark Muscato took best in show with this Factory-5 AC Cobra Replica.
This car was painted and built by the owner, and he’s taken extra care to include authentic AC parts in this build, so its not your ordinary kit car; including the signed Carrol Shelby engine elevating it to the next level.
And you might say to yourself “what motivates these folks to get up early on a Sunday and stand around in a parking lot?” I often ask myself that anytime there isn’t fair weather at a track event, but the morale to these stories are all the same: its for the camaraderie and the opportunity to share peoples passions for their cars with new friends. Where did you get that? How did you build that? Did you do the work yourself? #everyonehasastory.
GTM’er Dave V was there with his prized ‘88 Ford Mustang GT (seen next to Mark’s Cobra in the cover photo) hoping to add another trophy to his collection, but he says “the trophies don’t matter, I just love getting the car out for a drive and sharing it with others.”
The event coordinators have already promised to expand on the success of this inaugural event, hoping to move to a two event gathering (spring/fall), along with more heads up for folks in the area that want to come show off their rides and talk cars!
See you in the spring!
More photos available in the Vault!
