BAY STATE AUTO SHOW AT ENDICOTT ESTATE EXTRA….
By Lou Modestino
The Sunday following July 4 has been the date of the Bay State Auto Club annual car show for over three decades. It’s been a staple of New England collector car buffs who turnout out for this event every year. The affair comes at the height of the car show season, and this year was no exception. Starting out from Sharon as early as 6:30 a.m. and heading over to East St. in Dedham, we saw many classic, hot rods, muscle and exotic cars and trucks making tracks for the show.
With parking pretty much forbidden on East St., the signs directed to go to the Rust Craft Building in Dedham. From there, my wife Elaine and I, hauling our folding chairs, boarded a school bus to be shuttled to the Endicott Estate. Getting there early meant that we could see all of the cars, light trucks, heavy trucks, racecars and military vehicles entering from a side street while it was still cool in the morning.
And in they came for over three hours, parking on the spacious, manicured lawns while being directed by the hard working and capable members of the Bay State Auto Club. From Model T’s, Locomobiles, Stutz Bearcats, woodys and the rest, it was a long line of prime, restored cars that had lots of $$$ and sweat equity tied into them. As a matter of fact, we saw millions of dollars in those highly-prized and beautiful machines on four wheels.
We stretched our legs and headed up to the “For Sale” car corral where we noticed bargain prices, no doubt due to the scary, flat economy. More than likely, those asking lower-than-usual prices were set in order to motivate potential buyers. In previous years, when the economic conditions were not as bad as they are now, we saw “dream” prices by the owners who set them high, not expecting any bites because they really didn’t want to part with their prized possessions. Fortunately, the car corral was in a shady part of the estate, attracting “tire kickers” who wanted out of the hot sun.
We also got a chance to talk to Boston’s Jon Diamond, one of the pillars of the BSAC. We exchanged hellos and when we asked how things were progressing, Diamond, a collector of old caddys, had lots to say. “We are way down on race cars and walk-ins. Things are tight; gas prices are high; and that doesn’t help,” he said while sipping a slug of cool water and directing incoming vehicles to their respective locations. We do know that in past years the BSAC show had drawn as many as 1,200 vehicles and considerable amounts of fans as high as 5,000 who pay a fee to see it all. The proceeds of which, including the car corral, food and other vendors, go to defray costs of the show like the rental to the Town of Dedham for use of the estate.
As the sun rose high, we departed the Endicott Estate. We’ll be back in mid-September though for the real old classics from 1945 on back when automobiles were converted from wooden wheel wagons. In past years, we’ve seen lots of cars 100 years old or earlier.
If you missed that one, think about going to the MA Cruisers event at Patriot Place in Foxborough at the Bass Pro Shops adjacent to the Gillette Stadium this Thursday night starting at 5 p.m. Get there early so you can find a parking spot. Even though it doesn’t officially start until 5 p.m., many cars and observers start to drift in as early as 2 p.m. If the weather is favorable, expect to see 2,400 vehicles of all kinds including some show type motorcycles. We estimate that the place can accommodate about 5,000 people in motion, all trying to take in all the “eye candy”. In the meantime, the nearby food outlets do a brisk business. Also, the MA Cruisers are enforcing rules. No unleashed dogs, no strollers or bicycles are allowed in the aisles. There’s also strict enforcement of NO BURNOUTS, and those who try them or even encourage them will be dealt with. So if you come, behave yourself and enjoy. And the price is right – no admission. Ditto for the Connecting Rods at Wal-Mart’s in Halifax on Friday night at 5 p.m.