(Sean Montgomery / The Clarion Call)
Screeching tires, rumbling motors and the sweet sound of open headers-not the racetrack, just the sound of the annual S&T Bank Autorama at the Clarion Autumn Leaf Festival.
On Sunday, Sept. 27 The Clarion Autumn Leaf Festival was kicked off with the S&T Bank Autorama. Not even the poor weather could stop the proud owners of Americas favorite automobiles from attending the show as over 180 people showed up this year to show the pride and joy of their classic and antique cars.
This is a time when the Clarion Borough shuts down main street from eighth ave. all the way down to fourth ave. and the streets are lined with America’s favorite hot-rods of the past. There were even some cars dating back to the twenties, such as the Model T.
The eligibility of each automobile is determined by none other than the Autorama Chairmen. The number one requirement of each entry is that the car was manufactured no later than 1983, this ensures the classic nature of the car.
The cars are separated and judged into a number of different classes. Although the majority of the cars are dated between the 60s to the 80s, there are even cars that date as far back as the first years of the 1900s.
The cars and trucks are broken up into a number of classes to better judge them. Stock production cars are separated by model year and then further separated by model type. Custom and modified cars are given their own category while also being separated by their original model year. Street Rods, a unique type of modified vehicle, are grouped separately from the rest of the customs. Trucks follow the same guidelines as the cars. All vehicles, no matter which grouping are competing for best in show.
Check-in began at Nine o’clock Sunday morning and the show itself ran from 12 P.M. until 4 P.M.
Even though the weather was poor crowds still formed to take a look at the different types of classic cars. (Sean Montgomery / The Clarion Call)
It costs a small fee of 13$ to enter the show and cash prizes are awarded to the winners. The judges base their scoring off of body, paint, moulds, chromes, bumpers, wheels, tires, covers, glass, headlamps, lenses, frames, chassis engine interior, trunks, appearance, and creativity.
Most people attending the show just for a glance at some of America’s most beautiful cars have no idea the depth of the judging. It isn’t as simple as the outside appearance of the cars, these judges base their decisions on the inside and outside, and every nook and cranny of each car.
Sligo resident Mike Reedy has been attending the Autorama every year, and the depth of the judging came as quite a surprise to him. “I’ve been coming to the Autorama for a while now, it has really become my favorite event during ALF, but I never knew how in depth the judging was.” Stated Reedy.
Unfortunately, this year many of the participants spent most of their time inside their cars hiding from the rain rather than standing proudly on the outside. Not even the poor weather could take away from the beauty of these cars, some even felt that the wetness of the cars gave them more of a shine.
“I always thought cars look better when they are wet, maybe that’s why some people wash their cars so often.” Said Clarion University student Nick Billups.
It was quite a turn out this year for the Autorama, and judging from the enthusiasm of the
participants and those just there to see the cars, the Autorama will remain a high point for ALF, rain or shine.
All those with cars to show and those who love browsing through classics and antiques are encouraged to come out and be a part of the S&T Banks Autorama at the Autumn Leaf Festival next year and the years to come.
