All posts by bsquier

Cars and Coffee

Cars and Coffee at Conrad’s – 8-21-2021

Cars and Coffee is a popular adventure for a lot of car clubs, and AACA South Florida has done its share, but the one on Saturday, August 21, 2021, was extra special.  More than twenty club members and friends gathered at the home of Conrad and Tania Vazquez to wish him good health and good spirits as he continues to recover from an illness that has kept him sidelined.  He was so glad to see us and celebrate his progress, and true to form, there was plenty of coffee and pastries and good friendship to go around.

Thanks to Manny and Millie Garcia for arranging it, and we look forward to seeing Conrad and Tania back with us soon.

By Philip Williams
Photos by Bob Squier and Robert Hernandez

Setting up

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Cars and Coffee

Cars and Coffee – June 13, 2021

We had a great turnout of cars and club members, including one from Fort Lauderdale and the British contingent.  We gathered at Casavana in Kendall on Sunday, June 13, 2021.  After admiring the wide selection of cars, including a rare 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air that was built in Venezuela and a selection of Mustangs and Corvettes, old and new, alongside our faithful local contingent of a 1939 LaSalle, a 1968 MGB GT and a 1988 Pontiac 6000 Safari station wagon, we went inside and enjoyed breakfast and conversation.

Thanks to Ira Shapiro for putting out the call, and we hope to make this a regular event.

Text and photos by Philip Williams

The cars all lined up

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Downtown Flagler Show

Flagler Street Antique Auto Show – May 15, 2021

Bigger isn’t always better.  Yes, it’s nice to go to a car show and see a hundred classics, collectibles, and memories lined up and shining in the sun, their chrome polished, the bright colors gleaming in row after row.  But it can be overwhelming, too, and you might miss out on seeing something unique.  So when the Downtown Development Authority and Olympia Arts Miami asked AACA South Florida to put on a one-block car show on Flagler Street for the first time since 2014, we knew that we could only place thirty or so cars on the historic street, and frankly, club president Ira Shapiro was wondering how we could pull it off with such a small number and still provide the public with a variety of automotive history.  But the club came through with flying colors.  From a 1931 Ford Model A Victoria to a 1973 Aston Martin AMV8 and an abundance of cars from decades in between, the block of Flagler Street starting at the Olympia Theatre was filled on Saturday, May 15, and the crowd loved it.  They voted in a People’s Choice ballot to select Albert Naon’s 1952 MG TD as their favorite.  The sponsors of the show each got to choose their favorite: Downtown Development Authority chose Jaime Del Valle’s 1951 Jaguar XK 120, and Olympia Arts Miami selected Gary Shanock’s 1973 Pontiac Grand Am.  The AACA award for Best of Show went to Frank Rubino’s 1950 Healey Silverstone.  And everyone who brought a car received a Finalist trophy to show our thanks for helping to make our return to Flagler Street after a seven-year absence such a success. Ira Shapiro thanked the volunteers who helped make this show possible: Jean and Maurice Hawa, Tomás Hernández, Al Padilla, Bob Squier and Philip Williams.  If you didn’t get to see the show, stroll through the pictures.
Philip Williams
Photos by Al Padilla, Bob Squier and Philip Williams

Filling up eally in the morning

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Cars and Coffee

Cars and Coffee Tour – April 18, 2021

What a great concept and fun time we had as participants in Miami’s AACA South Florida Region’s event number 2.  No, not a repeat of the successful “Tour Back Through Time” in March, but a “Cars and Coffee Drive.” Spearheaded by President Ira Shapiro, our 14.5-mile drive started at Sunset Elementary School and ended at the home of Cheryl and Jay Mullininx on Sunday morning, April 18, 2021. It just so happens that Sunset Elementary, Ira and Rick Ash’s alma mater, opened its doors as a one-room schoolhouse with 18 students. After the preliminary handing out of driving instructions with historical tidbits and requisite statement: “Following CDC Guidelines, face-masks must be worn unless you are in your vehicle or eating. Please drive carefully, obey all traffic laws and be safe,” the 30-minute drive began with twenty AACA South Florida Region members in twelve vehicles.

With seven antique vehicles leading the pack, we traveled east to Cocoplum Circle, also known as Cartagena Plaza, circling it twice and exiting onto Old Cutler Road. Its precursor, Cutler Road was a coastal route, literally, a path cut in 1883, widened to a wagon trail named Cutler Road, and declared a public road in 1895. In 1974 it was declared a State Historic Highway. Driving south, the group passed the entrances of Matheson Hammock and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, drove over the Snapper Creek Bridge (built in 1916) which is adjacent to the Snapper Creek Marina, passed the entrance to the Montgomery Botanical Center, and turned left at the T-intersection at Red Road. Shortly after, the road became Old Cutler Road again and we drove past the entrance of the USDA Subtropical Horticultural Research Center. As we continued south, two antique Corvettes joined us. After passing the Deering Estate and Thalatta Estate, the group drove a few miles to the 87th Avenue traffic circle in Cutler Bay, where everyone entered keeping left all the way around until they got to where they entered, and then exited the circle turning north onto Old Cutler Road. Shortly after heading north on Old Cutler Road, everyone turned off onto the street toward Jay and Cheryl Mullininx’s home where we were treated to hot coffee and the very tasty, much desired cinnamon sticky buns from the Knaus Berry Farm Bakery.

We all thanked Ira and Cheryl and Jay Mullininx for their efforts enabling us to enjoy the drive and much appreciated refreshments. On a side-note, the drive also included the added adventure of several packs of bicyclists monopolizing the road, the cluster of at least eight trailered motor boats which were denied access to Matheson Hammock Marina, and a squad of motorcycles.  Besides having pleasant weather and no vehicle break-downs we had the opportunity to share the camaraderie of our members in a comfortable, safe setting and catch up on what’s happening with everyone. 

By Jean Hawa

Photos by Bob Squier

Starting Out

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Drives

Tour Back Through Time – March 20, 2021

What a great concept and fun time we had as participants in Miami’s AACA South Florida Region’s event, “Tour Back Through Time.”

From the original promo email, I truly assumed a “Tour Back Through Time” related to somehow driving our beautiful and wonderful vintage cars, top down and no air conditioning of course, on a tour through some of the opulent home districts and sights of South Miami and Coral Gables. Well yes… and no!

A drive, yes! See some of the opulent homes, on truly some of the most beautiful canopied tree lined streets in South Florida, yes.. but “a tour”?  NO !

Upon arrival we were handed a envelope containing eleven photos of Historic Miami-Dade locations, some buildings or monuments and advised the photos were in no particular order, had no identifications/names or addresses, yet we were to drive to and visit as many as possible, in the shortest time and return to the meet up point! And, I forgot to mention… take a photo at each location for verification proof.  Yes, the Plymouth Congregational Church entrance in Coconut Grove is unique and historic, as is the Water Tower on Alhambra and the Biltmore Hotel.

So, having driven to the starting point at Tropical Park, not too far from Dadeland, I think, from my home in West Delray Beach, (Palm Beach County) and thereby not knowing the turf, we proclaimed we had no clue and no chance so we invoked “Plan B”:  We proclaimed it  a “Tour”  (so we wouldn’t be declared as cheating) and “followed” some of the other participants, who played it straight, found it challenging and fun

Well done, and many thanks to the organizers for a truly fun day.

Thank you Jorge Feira and Al Padilla for your hard work in putting this wonderful tour together.

Story by Michael Cohen
Photos by Bob Squier and the tour participants.

Tour Clues
Photos and a bit of history

Deering Estate Vintage Car Display

Deering Estate Vintage Auto Show – January 10, 2021

Gallery

Our Deering Estate Vintage Auto Show that was postponed due to weather – Hurricane Theta – was rescheduled to Sunday, January 10th.  Weather was also an issue with this show.  The day started with temperatures in the upper 40’s, cold by South Florida standards, but it warmed up rapidly to a beautiful cloudless low 70’s day. We had only twenty-three cars and motorcycles due to COVID-19 restrictions, but still it was held in a beautiful location for displaying our cars  which were surrounded by nature. We got to see manatees bobbing for air and pelicans swooping into the lagoon that leads to Biscayne Bay.

In addition to the helpful direction from Special Events Coordinator Jenna Noordhoek and her staff who set up the tents and helped park the cars, the following South Florida Region club members were instrumental to the success of the show: Assisting Chairwoman Jean Hawa were Ira Shapiro and Philip Williams at check-in; and Al Padilla and Bob Squier providing the photos.

1929 Ford Model A Roadster

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Cars in the Garden

Cars in the Garden – November 22, 2020

Gallery

Although Covid-19 and the weather conspired to stop the show, it went on with a slightly diminished cast. It was good to get out and meet with old friends and see some “new” cars as well as welcome some new members of both AACA South Florida and the Sunshine Corvette Club. Thank you, Co-chairs Jean Hawa and Chico Goldsmith, for your efforts in getting the show staged despite the restrictions. Also a thank you goes out to Gary Shanock and Philip Williams for handling registration, and to Bill Anello, Ira Shapiro, Bob Squier and Chico Goldsmith for helping with parking the cars.
Photos by Diane Landers Preuss, Ira Shapiro, Bob Squier and Philip Williams

The Show

Waiting to enter

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Biltmore Way Classic Car Show

Rubenstein Law Antique Car & Motorcycle Show of Coral Gables – March 8, 2020

Gallery

The day was overcast and windy with a couple of misty rain periods, but the cars were at the show nonetheless. The were 58 cars and trucks ranging from a 1929 Ford Model A to a 1992 Chevrolet Corvette, but no motorcycles. Everyone had a great time, and car talk and tales were shared.  We had a number of visitors from the Carnaval on Miracle Mile stop by, and a number of car show people returned the favor.  Thanks to our sponsor, Rubenstein Law, for making the last show of the club’s season a rousing success.

As usual the show couldn’t have happened without our trusty volunteers. Show co-chairs Andy Leavy and Tomas Hernandez want to thank our trusty volunteers: Philip Williams, Bob Squier, Millie Garcia, Manny Garcia, Jean Hawa, and Ira Shapiro. They also want to thank our judges: Chief Judge Manny Garcia, Conrad Vazquez, Ron Mitro, Bill Anello, George Harvey, Chico Goldsmith, Al Padilla, and Rolf Engelfried.

By Philip Williams
Photos by Al Padilla, Bob Squier and Philip Williams

Best of Show – Tomas & Fernanda’s 1930 Ford Model A Standard Phaeton.

1972 Rolls-Royce

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National Shows

Winter Nationals – February 27-29, 2020

Below are photos of the vehicles at the show.
Scroll down to find the photos grouped by classes.
Click on photos to enlarge.


Classes 04, 05, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22

05-C 1950 Matchless G9

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Class 24 – 26

24-A 1963 Jaguar XKE

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Class 27 – 29

27-P 1985 Cadillac Eldorado

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Classes 30A – 36F

30-B 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

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Classes 36G-38

36-H 1970 Plymouth GTX

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HPOF – Historical Preservation of Original Features

HPOF 1955 Jaguar XK 140

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Driver Participation Class

DCP 1939 Oldsmobile 70

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Art Deco Weekend

Art Deco Weekend – January 18-19, 2020

It was the perfect combination of beautiful weather and beautiful surroundings along Ocean Drive on Miami Beach to celebrate the Art Deco Festival on January 18th and 19th.  Blue skies, pastel buildings, and shining chrome invited thousands of people from all over the world to take a stroll from 5th to 10th Street to see the AACA South Florida Region’s cars lined up as if they owned the place.

We gave out awards each day to the best on the field and the Best of Show.  Saturday winners: Best of Show – Kamaredine – 1949 Cadillac, Aurora 1977 – Pontiac Trans Am, Ana and Barry Delphus – 1966 Corvette Stingray, Mark Klien – 1932 Ford Hot Rod, Javier Llanes -1964 Chevy C10, Jose Lugo Ratrod -1957 Mack Truck & Motorcycle, Ronnie O – 1966 TVR Griffith, George Radelat – 1972 TVR, David Rankin 1969 Shelby Mustang and Andreas Wietzke 1935 – 1973 Auburn Speedster.
Sunday winners: Best of Show – Kevin Newman – 1961 Auto Union 1000SP, Mike Arias – 1974 De Tomaso Pantera, Irwin Becker – 1953 Ford Crestline, Bruce – 1955 Volkswagen Beetle, Luis Fernandez – 1959 MGA, Pedro and Pat Fernandez – 1956 Oldsmobile Super 88, Paul Freen – 1973 Lotus Europa Special, Steve Greenblatt – 1967 Corvette 427, Bormey Rodriguez 1959 Ford Galaxie, Andy Sanchez – 1964 Fiat 1500 and Luly and Hank Tester – 1967 VW Karmann Ghia.

Thanks to our show co-chairs Mel Mann and Ira Shapiro, ably assisted by Bob Squier, Guy Lewis, Philip Williams, Conrad Vazquez, Manny and Millie Garcia, Jamie Mann, David Shapiro, and Rudy Rodriguez.  Thanks also to the Miami Beach Design Preservation League for putting on this great event, and a special thanks to the men and women of the Miami Beach Police Department; they make it possible to put on this show for the enjoyment of everyone.

By Philip Williams
Photos by Al Padilla, Bob Squier and Philip Williams

Saturday’s Show

Street

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Sunday’s Show

Detail

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