All posts by emedina
2024 Annual Picnic South Florida Region
It was the perfect day with a great breeze for the 2024 South Florida Region Picnic, with over 80+ members in attendance it turned out to be a great success. The BBQ was catered by Shorty’s BBQ as it was last year, for a delish helping of Ribs, Chicken, Baked Beans, Corn on the Cob and we had an amazing bunch of appetizers, side dishes and desserts presented by our members! Prizes were given to the selected side dishes presented by members and judged on by members as well.
We had many members come out with their antique and classic cars to the event, some won awards for traveling the longest distance, others for oldest vehicle in attendance. We also had a raffle give away and as a new surprise we gave away two renewals for 2025 to the winning members. Waldo Duran and George Harvey each won a South Florida Region renewal for the 2025 membership.
We originally had 103 members register for the event so we had plenty of left over BBQ, but nothing went to waste, all leftovers were donated by Manny & Millie Garcia to Zasha Gomez-Chavez & Jesus Chavez who packed and delivered to downtown Miami to feed some of the homeless. In total more than 70 meals were provided to individuals in need. See second gallery with pictures. AACA South Florida Region Feeding the homeless and needy.
2024 Winston Park Classic Car Show
Thank you all who came out and participated in this years show, the 4th annual WP Classic Car Show. Again wqe had a record breaking participation as we have had every show this year!
It was a beautiful day and great crowd. Amazing variety of cars from all originals to modified. We even had the @Onlyinkendall from Instagram come by and shoot live video of the show. Food trucks also on the premises made for a great morning and afternoon.
Pre-1960
Best in Class: 1954 Ford Crestline by Tomas
Runner up: 1934c Ford 5 Window Coupe by Augusto
1960-1969
Best in Class: 1964 Ford Thunderbird by Jose
Runner up: 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 by Martin
1970-1979
Best in Class: 1970 Pontiac GTO by Robbie
Runner up: 1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V by Patrick
1980-1989
Best in Class: 1988 Monte Carlo SS by Greg
Runner up: 1982 Corvette by Sarah
1990-1999
best in Class: 1996 Impala by Adrian
Mustang 1964-1966
Best in Class: 1966 Mustang GT Fastback by Jessica
Runner Up: 1966 Mustang Coupe restomod by Robert
Mustang 1967-1973
Best in Class: 1969 Mach 1 by Elvis
Runner Up: 1969 Mach 1 Pro Street by Alex
Mustang 1974-1999
Best in Class: 1992 Mustang LX 5.0 by Manny
Runner Up: 1986 Mustang LX by Bernardo
Camaro/Firebird
Best in Class 1981 Camaro Z28 by Carlos
Import Pre-1980
Best in Class: 1960 Austin healey 3000 by Juan
Runner UP: 1957 Porsche Speedster by Cristi
Imports 1980-1999
Best in Class: 1994 Rover Mini Cooper by Gary
Runner Up: 1985 BMW 528e by Paula
Truck/Vans all Years
Best in Class: 1949 International KB2 by Chris
Runner Up: 1952 Chevy 3100 by Tony
2024 Biltmore Way Classic Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show
It was an incredible day at Biltmore Way in Coral Gables for our annual classic car show. With 111 vehicles in attendance it turned out to be our largest yet. We had all kinds of vehicles in participation from the early 1920’s all the way up to 1999. Making it a great selection for anyone and their favorite decade of automotive era. The weather although slightly warm was beautiful all day, by far the largest attendance ever by participants and by spectators, a few local celebrity sightings and City of Coral Gables commissioners and their family enjoying the show.
This year we attempted to keep the cars arranged by class of judging as opposed to wherever they landed, eventually we had to jumble some in down the middle of the road. We did have the complete roadway from LeJeune to Hernando St. which allowed us to spread the vehicles along the whole roadway. Making it a beautiful display and amazing overhead shots from a drone.
Photos courtesy of Rex Turner and Jaime Landauer
See Below for award winner.
Winners by Class
American Production 1925-1949
John Hermida 31 Ford Model A, Augusto Sanchez 34 Ford Model A
American Production 1950-1959
Nivardo Mora 54 Ford Crestline Skyliner, Al Padilla 55 Buick Century
American Production 1960-1969
Jose Trujillo 64 Ford Thunderbird, Timothy Battle 63 Corvair Monza 900
American Production 1970-1999
Patrick Mayer 78 Lincoln Continental Mark V
Factory High Performance 1955-1973
Robert Lopez 70 Plymouth Cuda, Juan Rodriguez 70 Chevrolet Chevelle
Factory High Performance 1974-1999
Shelly Zambo 92 Dodge Stealth, Carlos Alvarez 81 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Corvette 1953-1973
Michael Welch 65 Chevrolet Corvette, Eduardo Padron 68 Chevrolet Corvette
Corvette 1974-1999
Ivan Clare 78 Chevrolet Corvette, Kevin Brown 79 Chevrolet Corvette
Mustangs 1965-1973
Adrian Cicero 66 Ford Mustang, Everardo Padron 69 Mustang Mach 1
Mustangs 1974-1999
Manny Mendez 92 Mustang LX 5.0
Foreign Car Luxury All Years
Marcos Quintero 88 Mercedes Benz 560SL, Bob Caplan 85 Rolls Royce Corniche
Foreign Car Non-Sporting All Years
Larrey Epstein 82 Citroen 2cv, Jose Pacheco 74 BMW Tii
Foreign Car Sporting 1950-1969
Francisco Mantollena 52 MG TD, Dave Farber 69 Jaguar XKE
Foreign Car Sporting 1970-1999
Drew Gregg 73 BMW 3.0 CS, Felipe Isaza. 96 Porsche 911 Carrera
Trucks, Military Vehicles & Motorcycles
Manny Garcia 93 Chevrolet Blazer Tahoe LT, Jose Centeno 51 Chevrolet Pick up
Best of Show
Nivardo Mora 1955 Packard Clipper Constellation
2024 Art Deco Weekend Classic Auto Show
January 13th & 14th two amazing days of Art Deco weekend car show, festivities and food on South Beach, right on Ocean Drive, the street was shut down to allow only pedestrian traffic, and the only cars on the street were all on display as the annual AACA South Florida Region antique and classic car show took place. A total of 108 cars showed up on the weekend to make one amazing display! The weather was perfect and the rain held off for this amazing show which happens every year on Art Deco Weekend on the beach.
Saturday Award Winners
Ernie’s 1995 Porsche 911, Mike’s 1968 Camaro SS, Ross’s 1959 Impala, Tony/s 1991 Nissan Figaro, Drew’s 1973 BMW, Ruben’s 1994 Porshe RS America, Gary’s 1994 Mini-Cooper, Oscar’s 1967 VW Hor Rod Beetle, Jay’s 1969 Road Runner, Urshula’s 1967 Belvedere, Jessica’s 1994 Mustang GT and Best of Show went to Henry’s 1935 Auburn Boattail.
Sundays Award Winners
Bob’s 1985 RR Corniche, Al’s 1955 Buick Century, Hector’s 1964 Beetle, Lee’s 1972 442 Olds, Larry’s 1935 Airflow, Alex’s 1995 Cougar XR7, George’s 1934 Plymouth, Bob’s 1959 Fairlane 500, Nivardo’s 1954 Sunliner, Jose’s 1964 Thunderbird, Kim’s 1968 Mustang GT and Best of Show went to Volker and his 1972 Jaguar E Type.
2023 South Florida Region Holiday Party
What an amazing evening at the Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, a wonderful way to finish the year off and celebrate the beginning of new year for the hobby. With over 80 members in attendance the evening was spent amongst great company and friends. The evening started off in a reception area with a table of cheese and cold cuts awaiting the group before being ushered into the dining room for the main event.
With lively music and a beautifully decorated dining / ballroom elegant area we sat down to an amazing dinner. After dinner we had a bit of formal celebration welcoming the new Board of Directors for 2024 and the addition of new board members, Paula Perez, George Harvey, Tom Kosky, Jorge Salazar and Ben Cardonne. The club bestowed the Most Valuable Member of the Year award to Tomas Hernandez for all his contributions and Millie Garcia passed off the Steering Wheel (literally) to Tomas Hernandez as the new President for 2024.
“For sure it was a wonderful event” – J. Slazar
“It was a great event we had a great time Happy Holidays to everyone, Thanks” = T. Hernandez
“Great event last night, thank you for organizing. Merry Christmas to all and a happy healthy new year!” – I. Shapiro
“I’ll second that, great event!!!!!” – Chico G.
“Wanted to take a moment and thank you and the AACA for an amazing holiday party. It was so nice to enjoy the night with wonderful car enthusiasts outside the car events” – R. Kramer
“Thank you for the beautiful pictures” – M. Penn
“Great time, with great friends. Thank you for a fantastic time” – R. Hernandez
“Fabulous pictures and wonderful event!” – D.L. Preuss
“Maryanne and I had a great time.” – R. Turner
Cars in the Garden 2023
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you from all of the South Florida Region AACA to everyone who participated in today’s Cars in the Garden event.
We had over 130 cars show up today for an amazing display of automotive history at the gardens in Fairchild. The turnout was amazing and we at the South Florida Region could not be more proud of our members and club for putting on such an amazing display.
We had a few of you who had some mechanical issue or other mitigating complications that kept you from showing up and we completely understand and thank you to those who reached out and let us know. We had a registration of 150 cars and that shows the commitment of the South Florida Region members and automotive enthusiasts.
This sets the tone for the upcoming year and events, looking now forward to the Art Deco Weekend Classic Car Show on Ocean Dr. with two days of nothing but amazing cars and fun. Register by CLICKING HERE and jumping on board one of our most exciting and fun weekend shows.
Special thanks to Jean Hawa for dedicating her time and energy to making this show happen at Fairchild, and to Ira Shapiro for organizing a group of judges for the event. To the Sunshine Corvette Club and their support and assistance. Our hats off to all and to all the volunteers that came out to help judge and or participate!
Supercars for Superhero Kids
Fellow member Benjamin, recently participated in a great event, bringing members of the community for a day benefiting children facing health challenges to feel empowered and celebrated.
He shared some pictures, while not classic cars yet, it was a great event for a great cause.
Deering Estate Vintage Auto Show 2023
By Jean Hawa
Thirty-five antique vehicles encircled the beautiful great lawn of the historic Deering Estate on Sunday, November 5, 2023. Based upon the hundreds of spectators on the first morning of the end of daylight saving time, the extra hour of sleep didn’t deter anyone from coming to inspect the vintage vehicles which ranged from 1911 to 1965. In addition to watching the manatees and turtles bobbing for air, pelicans swooping in and out of the water, we watched a fledgling cormorant sunning itself for hours. Of course, having a beautiful sunny day with moderate temperatures enhanced the experience of the perfect Sunday in the Park.
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, several South Florida Region club members were instrumental to the success of the show: Assisting Chairwoman Jean Hawa were Ed Medina who handled the on-line registration and check-in and Angel Aulet and Tom Kosky who helped at registration. A huge thank you goes to all the car owners who showcased their vintage automobiles to the admiring general public.
2023 Memory Lane at Miami International Auto Show
As in the years past Memory Lane exhibit was displayed at the Miami International Auto Show in the Miami Beach Convention Center. This display consisted of a great collection of 33 vehicles worthy of the great Memory Lane tradition of displaying fine examples of automotive history. The display originally was to have 50 automobiles but some last minute changes by the venue forced us to cut the display down in size. With an added flare the cars displayed ranged from 1928 through 1998 including American and European cars. Thank you to all the club members who volunteered to displayed their cars.
Every car owner volunteered and contributed to the event, probably one of the best group of volunteers in the past several years. A very special THANK YOU to Stephen and Kathy Greenblatt who always spend countless hours all week long at the show doing everything they can.
Enjoy the Digital Display
Pictures provided by Al Padilla
