Hoods, wheels and treasures.

AACA Car Show & Flea, Hershey, PA, 2015

I don't know where my love for cars came from. Neither my grandparents or parents had one, which was a norm back then and there... I mean, nobody wanted headache of owning one when public transportation was almost free, fairly empty and always on schedule.

But there was that version of a Russian bug back in University days...it was rusty old mess - with air cooling "system" and 30 horse power. Yes, you read it right. It often would get stuck in the sand, mud, or other disastrous adventures it was subjected to - like almost falling into frozen river skidding on icy road... but being tiny light car it was easy to push out of all sticky situations.

My university stood on the hill, and unless you really pick up the speed running up, it would not make it, and roll back down. Hilarious moments.

Once, it got buried under few inches of ice, on the way between Ukraine and Russia to my grandparents house, middle of the winter. It was raining, but suddenly, temperatures dropped. Motor stalled, car died, and all water still pouring from the skies turned into ice. There were no lights on highway nor villages near by. Survival at it best, freezing in little tin box. Somehow, I did not even get a cold. WTF?.. In the morning, kind trucker gave us a ride to the city - little car was left behind to thaw. And it did, few days later, and even started back up.

But enough of the memory lane yapping.
I am still addicted to cars. Be it customizing my own Jeep or going to car shows - new and old.

Hot red, mf!

I look at old cars at the shows, at hotrods, steampunked out models, restored to original condition beauties, or old rusty survivors - and I see perfect lines, amazing detailing,  craftsmanship of the past, and pride of the owners keeping it alive and running.

Lines & Details

Hershey's annual car show & flea is amazing opportunity to see it all. Actually, I can guarantee you will not see all of it - it is that big! But it is mind-blowing in its variety. 

(And once again I thank my adventure partner for sharing this with me)

OMG.

We walked miles through Car coral, there owners bring their shined up, streamlined and restored cars for sale.  

Car Coral.

We sneaked into the auction preview first day we arrived and were blown away  by restored cars of all kinds.  

We spend hours exploring flea - there you can find everything your heart (or your car's heart) desire, picking up little treasure for our projects on the way. 

We found the Fury here, and few rusty amazing Fords that been cool to photograph.

...People say that you can build whole car from parts found here - and it was put to the test at one of the insurance company booth, who took up the challenge to build a truck from spare parts found at the market, in 4 days. That was interesting to watch their progress, working 24 hrs a day, both live and on YouTube. Fascinating work.

There are high wheeler race held at the stadium - it is sooo much fun to watch. They all dressed up, and absolutely hilarious. We sat on the bleachers, eating fries, drinking lemonade and watching races - man, this was awesome!

AACA Museum is worth visit as well - several floors filled with old car exhibitions, car plaques, hood ornaments, artist's exhibitions, and so much more!... We had two dinners reserved in their warehouse, which was a great opportunity to see everything at the museum.

AACA Museum.

And of course, last event of the week - actual car show. People line up the street on chairs and bleachers early in the morning as cars arrive. It was cold morning, and we frozen our asses off in just an hour time, till we were way too cold, and made escape into the arena nearby. This is must see, tho - it is great to look at cars at the show, but watching them actually drive in is something special, something absolutely memorable.

We run away to find breakfast... No breakfast trucks in sight - so pizza, calzone, pretzels & lemonade it is, 8am in the morning! Hey, life is good!!!

Sun finally came out - and now it's a beautiful day to walk around - cool, brisk and sunny... and it was one of the happiest days yet. We saw so many beautiful ones, fire trucks, steam-powered wonders, A Models, race cars - everything...

Oh, the beauty!

I am fascinated and in love with detailing, hood ornaments, lines, and reflections. 
 

Hood ornaments.

This is photography heaven - I am surely died and transcended into another universe... I stop as often as my companion - we take millions of pictures, no joke.

 

I am on car memories overload, for sure. Best memories in the making...