By Joann M. Ringelstetter
Photos in this blog post can be purchased as wall art, paper prints, downloads, phone cases, and keepsakes. Just click on the desired photo and look for the blue “BUY” button.
On September 17, 2016, I finally found the time to attend the Annual Hill and Valley Antique Auto & Americana Show in Cross Plains, Wisconsin, which was in its 33rd year. The day was quite warm and sunny, so the lighting was harsh as soon as the sun came up.
The antique cars and trucks were parked across the grass of the ball field at Baer Park, so photo backgrounds were cluttered. But there were a few vehicles parked outside the ball field, like this beautiful blue 1945 Chevy BT Pickup Truck.
Around 9:30, car owners began to line up their vintage cars in preparation for the Hill & Valley Auto Tour, a 22-mile, one hour drive through the hills and valleys outside Cross Plains. I was still down on the ball field looking at a 1931 Ford Model A Coupe, owned by a man named Rives. He told me that he needed to move his car into the line-up and then he offered to let me ride along in the rumble seat of his car.
That sounded like it would be fun, but I had driven the route earlier that morning and had selected a great spot to photograph all the old cars as they passed by. So I thanked him for the offer and told him to watch for me out on the road.
In the line-up was a 1929 Ford Model A Tudor Sheriff's Car. I had a nice chat with the owners of this car.
Also in the line-up was a 1930 Ford Model A used in the filming of the 2009 Movie "Public Enemies,” starring Johnny Depp as Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger.
I quickly snapped a few photos of the line-up of old cars and then hurried to my car so I could drive out into the countryside and position myself to capture photos of all the cars as they enjoyed their Hill & Valley Tour.
The drivers and riders all seemed to be having a great time, with smiles on their faces as they motored along.
Some of the cars, like this 1919 Ford Model T, were roadsters with the top down, and the people smiled and waved as they drove past me.
Last weekend, I attended the Hill & Valley Antique Auto Show for the second time. Once again, it was a warm and very sunny day.
This year, I wasn’t able to get out in the countryside to photograph the cars on the Hill & Valley Auto Tour, but I did capture some nice shots as they lined up and took off on their drive.
The Hill & Valley Antique Auto & Americana Show takes place every year in mid-September in Cross Plains, Wisconsin. If you get a chance, it’s a fun way to spend the day. And, who knows, maybe someone will offer you a ride in their rumble seat!
To see all the photos from the 2016 show, go to our Hill & Valley Antique Auto Show 2016
gallery on the Shunpiking to Heaven photo galleries website.
To see all the photos from the 2017 show, go to our Hill & Valley Antique Auto Show 2017
gallery on the Shunpiking to Heaven photo galleries website.
Photos in this blog post can be purchased as wall art, paper prints, downloads, phone cases, and keepsakes by clicking on the photo. You will be taken to the gallery website where you will see a big blue "BUY" button. Or to see all photos available, click on the "Browse Galleries" button on the menu at the top of this page. Thank you for your interest!
Happy Shunpiking!
Joann
I did not know about this antique car show. I'm going to put it on my calendar for next year! Thanks for sharing this story about the show.
ReplyDeleteI just used the links to see all of your photos from 2016 and 2017. What a lot of neat old cars! And I love your photos of the cars on the road trip. Neat that Cousin Roger and his wife Pat were there this year with their "Rampy" Corvair too!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Phyllis. It's fun to talk to the car owners. I met some really nice people last year and this year.
DeleteAs usual excellent pics. Love Antique Cars! Hubby is from Cross Plains. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stephanie! It's nice to know your husband is from Cross Plains. Nice little town.
Delete