Vintage cars are returning to rural America with car shows and local groups that restore classic cars. Old vehicles are perfect for rural areas as meetups become more common, and you can often see classic cars out for weekend drives on country roads.
Classic Car Restoration is More Accessible Than Ever
It’s much easier to get vintage parts than ever before with a booming aftermarket. You can find vintage car parts on any number of online sites, making it even easier for rural areas to get parts delivered. Classic car enthusiasts often come from all walks of life, but they all share an interest in the more hands-on driving experience and the beauty of hand-crafted parts. Many rural areas still use older vehicles for daily driving, so the interest in classic cars isn’t surprising. Places like Easton, MD, have made it a focus with annual car shows.
Rural Barn Finds Are Still Happening
One of the most interesting aspects of the classic car market is the rural barn find. This is a situation where an old vehicle is found in a barn or other structure where it has sat untouched for decades. Sometimes the vehicle is in a barn, but it might also be out in a field or in a shed. Some of these vehicles are rusted and rotted beyond saving, but some are able to be restored, gifting the finder with something rare that they wouldn’t otherwise find.
Patina Builds Gain Ground
Patina builds are also becoming more popular. This refers to a different type of restoration where the original exterior is left more or less the same, while the restorer focuses on mechanical upgrades. A patina build goes contrary to the usual restoration process, where the exterior is largely restored to a pristine condition. The goal is to preserve the vehicle’s aged condition to make it more authentic than the artificiality of restoring an old vehicle to a show-car look. This method often costs less as it doesn’t involve expensive bodywork or paint.
Exploring Easton, MD Car Culture
Easton, MD, is an example of a flourishing car culture. Easton Cars and Coffee is one example in the town where participants meet regularly at the Easton VFW to show off classic cars. The Chesapeake Classic Car Club also hosts a spring show that draws hundreds of vintage cars to Easton’s Idlewild Park every year.
Yet another example is the Easton Airport Cruise-In, which includes classic cars, motorcycles, and old aircraft. Community support is a big part of classic car culture. The more people involved in restoring and showing off classic cars, the more others get interested and continue the trend.
Restoration Stories Abound in Rural Areas
In rural areas, car restoration starts with community support. It might involve more than one household working on the car. Neighbors share and lend tools, find parts, and even work on the car together. The classic car culture spans generations as younger members become interested in a piece of history.
The simple technology in older vehicles makes them easy to work on in rural areas where specialized mechanic services are limited. Classic car ownership and restoration are trending upward, with younger generations becoming increasingly interested in the beauty of old technology.
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