With the point of no return long gone, the all-out effort to successfully produce the nation’s first Collectible Car Fair for Kids and Teens proceeded at flank speed. Translating “flank” from nautical to automotive speak, the pedal had been firmly pinned to the metal. Thankfully with the help of a deft core of team leaders and a knowledgeable and committed team, the stars had aligned beautifully as the date approached. However, while the stars presented no concern, threatening clouds did. The approaching show date found me pointlessly glued to my weather app, as if my watchful eye could make a difference. I am sure my elevated spirits joined a cohort of September brides as the clouds disappeared from the Sunday forecast. Game on. And what a great game it would be.

A Secret Sauce & Successful Recipe for Mixing Kids and Classic Cars

Isetta microcar delivers maximum fun       (Photo: Tim Schwartz)

Gravel crackled under my 1961 Corvette’s whitewall tires as the, soon to be, show car crept down my driveway. A bright sun waited just below the horizon. Poised to heat the cool moist morning air with a brilliant light, it would quickly wipe dry the car’s veil of dew. Slowly accelerating, I held the 4-speed in first gear just to enjoy the engine’s

Youth judges in action

deep throated exhaust note as I rumbled down the narrow street. The show date had arrived at last. The awakening day felt rich with promise. The fading night’s cloudless sky had wiped the road free of any trace of the previous day’s rain. Free from road spray, my Corvette’s gleaming 60-year old Keystone mag wheels would remain unsoiled. On the road at 6:30am, I felt assured I would be the first to arrive.

Pulling up alongside the beautifully restored expansive white farmhouse that now housed the Hillsdale New Jersey Free Public Library, I paused for a moment to gaze over the large, but very soon not be, empty parking area. I left the rumbling Corvette to move the traffic cones that barred entrance to the lot. Now, having driven down to the lot, I backed into my assigned display location. Just then, the first of my talented team arrived. Chris Connolly, a recently retired lead detective for the New York City Auto Crimes Unit, strolled down the sloping driveway entrance. Moments later the day came to life as a trail of team members followed in his wake. The pace of the day quickly accelerated.

1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen

The charge of excitement built as the show cars began to arrive. Confident that the Collectible Car Fair for Kids and Teens would be unlike any other car show, all the car owners and staff focused on delivering a hands-on experience to benefit a largely hands-off generation. The goal was to have fun and in so doing develop in our young attendees an appreciation for the innovation, beauty, culture and excitement of what many consider to be the greatest gift of the industrial age, the automobile.

Unlike the mostly passive stroll experienced at traditional car shows, the Hillsdale Library’s Collectible Car Fair, co-sponsored by the Hillsdale Library and the Drivin’ News website (www.drivin-news.com) offered parents and children alike an interactive treat. Those under 18 were welcome to sit in and experience each of the gleaming iconic automobiles as well, benefit from speaking with each car’s owner. These owners, men and women who volunteered their time and vehicles possessed a broad knowledge of their cars and the period in history when each car was new.

Slowly but steadily the field filled with members of a curated list comprising iconic members of the 20^th century’s the Golden Age of the automobile. A pristine 1974 DeTomaso Pantera, preceded an all original 1970 Plymouth Superbird. A flatbed bearing a 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 waited its turn while a muscular pick-up truck pulling a large trailer eased across the lot. With its power ramp lowered, the trailer delivered a spectacular Brass Era 1909 Pope Harford and a Mercedes-Benz-built replica of the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, recognized world-over as the first automobile. By 8:30 am the full complement of staff and cars had been assembled. By 9:00 am with all cars positioned and all team members comfortable in their roles, everyone descended on the beverage and bagel table. Things had come together perfectly. Interestingly perfection can sometimes produce discomfort.

Rory Sevajian’s 1931 Model A takes a first place from the youth judges

At 9:00 am the team, with everything completed to perfection and with their energy level peaking, hit a wall. Where they asked, was everybody? “Has a party been thrown to which no one will come?” Pumped and ready they stood as relaxed as a distance runner ready for the gun. Then the realization hit. They had been too good, if that is possible. The show would not start until 10:00 am. They would spend the next hour reminding each other of that fact. Most likely, nobody would be coming for an hour. Finally 10:00 am arrived and with it came waves of families with kids and unescorted teens. They arrived in droves. Child attendance ran into the healthy hundreds. Any fears of throwing a party and nobody showing up quickly vanished in a fog of questions and children asking permission to sit in the car.

Checking out a 1909 Pope Hartford

With any creative effort be it a book, song, movie, website or experience you can rarely predict what piece will capture the audience’s fancy. In the case of the Collectible Car Fair, the secret sauce that brought everything to life came in the form of a game called the “Fun Hunt for Car Facts,” a twenty question quiz.” The Fun Hunt posed questions relating to the cars on display. Children who got all the questions correct on a supplied answer sheet would have his or her photo taken sitting in their favorite car by the event photographer. Then, at a later date, the library would present the child with a large poster of that photograph.

In retrospect the Fun Hunt created a spacious open field of beautiful cars surrounded by kids clutching pens and quizzes in hand while flitting from one car and owner to the next like bees in a garden. Children interviewed owners and together with parents bonded into a research team working in search of answers. More than 50 children earned a poster that would capture a moment that could become a lifetime memory. But wait! More opportunities existed to engage young attendees. They could sign up to be a judge.

Backseat driver enjoying the 1965 GTO

The inspiration for the Collectible Car Fair came out of concerns expressed by members of my on-going Collectible Automobiles As A Passion class I began over a decade ago at the Ridgewood, New Jersey Community School. Members of the class expressed a concern about the future of the classic car culture. fueled by their concerns I suggested the Fair. The men and women immediately embraced the idea. Building on the concept the thought of children judging the cars attracted great support.

Bob Austin, a retired automobile industry executive and experienced concours judge who co-teaches the Collectible automobiles class volunteered to hold a class. Children could preregister with the library before the show. On the day of the show they could attend the class and learn the basics of judging. Children who attended the class each received a Certificate of Recognition before an applauding show audience. After the show Austin said, “They learned well, as demonstrated by the competency and focus they showed in selecting the best cars from an impressive field of historic automobiles.

One of 3 youth judging groups with their Certificates of Recognition. (L) Bob Austin (R) Burton Hall

In reflecting on the success of the event, Dave Franz, Director of the hosting Hillsdale Library says, “”I’ve always thought of libraries as ‘share’ spaces, where people pass on their knowledge and skills to others, whether it be books, exhibits, or lectures and workshops. To see the joyful owners of these historic automobiles sharing their passion with the youth of our community is to see the essence of learning in action at a public library. It was a great day.”

As to the vibe created by the event, Valerie Festa a class member involved in managing the Fun Hunt for Car Facts says, “The heartfelt gratitude expressed by the parents was profoundly moving. They were so happy and thankful.”

Dr. Charles Lennon, who brought his 1962 Lotus 7, says “I have judged at numerous concours and shown at many others. I must say, I have never experienced such an engaging opportunity to share the joy of classic automobiles with children. Even my grandchildren came. This event was definitely special for me and for them.”

Youth judges check out 1986 911 Porsche and 1961 Corvette

Betsy Gelotte, owner of a 1961 Triumph TR3A on display, says “The kids and parents were so excited and appreciative. The children embraced the responsibility of judging and the challenge of the Fun Hunt with such great enthusiasm!”

Galen Royer one of three accomplished and seasoned car enthusiasts who supervised a team of youth judges may have made the most insightful comment. While anecdotal, it remains impressive when Royer says, “Other than for taking a photograph, I did not observe anyone using their cell phone.”

In reflecting on what distinguished and differentiated the Collectible Car Fair from all other car shows, two things stand out. One  being the high quality of the individuals who hosted their cars and the individuals who manned the event functions. Secondly a factor unquestionably unique to this show resides in the value of partnering with a respected library featuring a bright and energetic director. When good people work together great things can happen. Clearly the case with the Collectible Car Fair for Kids and Teens.

Future car guy with 1993 Viper

As to what comes next, my hope is that the Collectible Car Fair idea Johnny Appleseeds its way across the country.” Anyone interested can contact the Hillsdale Free Public Library (info@hfpl.org). I have created a basic production guide describing how to run your own Collectible Car Fair for Kids and Teens.