Record Number Of Cars Roll Into Newtown For Summer Auto Show

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — More than 190 cars rolled into Newtown Borough on Sunday for the Newtown Antique & Classic Auto Show shattering the show's previous record.

For the first time in the show's history, organizers said they were forced to turn cars away Sunday morning after accommodating more than 50 last-minute entries.

"It's a record-breaker," confirmed Dan Petty, who organized the show for the Newtown Business Association. "We sold out of our pre-registered spots and encouraged everyone who didn't pre-register to show up as soon as registration opened to secure one of the overflow spots. We had 65 people show up between 8 and 8:30 a.m."

The turnout of vehicles, coupled with a sunny, warm, but dry day, brought out the crowds who spent a leisurely day taking in a century's worth of automotive history on display on State Street between Jefferson Avenue and Centre Street.

"What stands out to me is the amount of love these owners have for their cars," said Petty. "It's going to be a difficult task for the judges this year because we have a ton of really nice cars here. Looking up and down the street, every car is in this year's competition. Everything looks clean. Everything looks nice. It just looks like people have poured their hearts and souls into their vehicles."

Paul Salvatore, who has been organizing car shows in the borough for years, described this year's event as a "showstopper."

"I love seeing the old classic cars from the 20s, 30s, and 40s," said Salvatore. "There's a Lincoln Continental here today that's phenomenal. But I also love the cars from the 60s up to today. The first car I ever owned was a 1964 Impala. It's the best car I ever owned. A lot of these cars I owned at one time or another over the course of time. The show is a ride down memory lane for many of us," he added.

In addition to the traditional Corvettes and muscle cars, this year's show shined the spotlight on Rolls Royce and Bentley, which were featured as 2023's marque cars. A handful greeted visitors at the entrance to North State Street at Washington Avenue.

Among them was a 1972 Rolls Royce owned by Joe Lucas who has owned and operated a plumbing business in Newtown Borough for the past 43 years.

"I've had a lot of fun with it. I just enjoy it," said Lucas. "Everything is original. I haven't done anything to it. It's still the original paint ... When I was a younger kid, I had a picture of a Rolls Royce. I said to myself, 'One day I'm going to get a Rolls Royce.' I just always liked the way it looked. It's prestige. It's quality. It just looks great. It's very impressive."

"This show is great," added Lucas. "There are a lot of beautiful cars here. It's a shame they don't have more space. But it's a good show. It's nice the way they have it set up with all the Corvettes together and all the older cars together. It's a very nice show. I really enjoy it."

Joe Lucas with his 1972 Rolls Royce. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

The team from Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic/St. Mary Medical Center, which sponsored the show.

Paul Curtis won for his Batmobile in a new category, "Best of Show Emeritus."

As the show wound down, Petty stepped to the microphone in front of the Newtown Borough Hall to announce the winners of this year's show, which is sponsored by Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic/St. Mary Medical Center; Weed Man; C&N; and Thompson.

Driving home with this year's top prize - the Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic/St. Mary Medical Center Best in Show Award - was a 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix owned by Michael Ford of Philadelphia.

"I did not see this coming," said Ford, who purchased the car in 1981. "Every car here is nice. There's a lot of competition."

As Ford made his way to his car on North State Street after winning the award, fellow car enthusiasts were yelling out to him. "Well deserved," yelled out one person. Another called the win "awesome."

Other top winners included a 1966 Chevy Corvette owned by Ron Desmond who captured the Mayor's Trophy for Best in Show and the Batmobile owned by Paul Curtis who won in a new category, "Best of Show Emeritus."

Scouts from Troop 99 volunteered their help at the car show.

Weed Man shows his muscles with two car show visitors.

Representatives from the Bucks County Opportunity Council promoted the Wheels2Work program at the car show.

The official Chevrolet Camaro Pace Car at the 53rd Indianapolis 500 in 1969.