An orange-red MGB, silver AC Cobra (probably a replica), and and silver Jaguar E-Type convertible.

Old Town Car Show, Fort Collins

After helping Manuel move from Greeley to Fort Collins, he and our friends E., Mel and I took a time out to attend the annual Old Town Car Show in downtown Fort Collins.

As usual, it was a treat for the visual cortex, with hundreds of classic cars and trucks that were either polished to perfection, or kept period-correct and intentionally unrestored (e.g., rat rod). My friend Flash’s 1950 Dodge pick-up, dubbed Roxanne, was an example of the latter. His was one of the few trucks at the show.

My friend Flash Alexander's 1950 Dodge pickup truck.
My friend Flash Alexander's 1950 Dodge pickup truck.

I was especially pleased that there were more British sports cars than in years past, including a pale primrose MGB roadster that looked very similar to Goldie, my former MGB. It was even the same year (1969).

This pale primrose yellow MGB looked just like my former MGB. It was even a 1969! No wire wheels though (a good thing---less flats).
This pale primrose yellow MGB looked just like my former MGB. It was even a 1969! No wire wheels though (a good thing---less flats).

Picking a favorite vehicle here was harder than in years past. For instance, as I am super biased towards open, two-seat roadsters, I was tempted to vote for either this silver AC Cobra or Jaguar E-Type:

An orange-red MGB, silver AC Cobra (probably a replica), and and silver Jaguar E-Type convertible.
An orange-red MGB, silver AC Cobra (probably a replica), and and silver Jaguar E-Type convertible.

I’ve also always had a soft spot for the Austin-Healey 3000:

A two-tone silver/white Austin Healey 3000.
A two-tone silver/white Austin Healey 3000.

and the Triumph TR250:

A red Triumph TR250 and light blue MG TD were on hand to help represent the British Motoring Club of Northern Colorado.
A red Triumph TR250 and light blue MG TD were on hand to help represent the British Motoring Club of Northern Colorado.

Ultimately, however, I’ve grown to appreciate (and prefer) modern sports cars with fuel injection, sophisticated emission control equipment, and safety equipment such as airbags and anti-lock brakes. So this year, I’d say this Ferrari 458 Italia was “best in show.”

A red Ferrari 458 Italia.
A red Ferrari 458 Italia.

Now only if it was the Spider version instead having a fixed roof—and didn’t cost as much as all the above cars combined—it would have been my runaway favorite for sure.

A red MGA, red Triumph TR250, and light blue MG TD.
A red MGA, red Triumph TR250, and light blue MG TD.
More MGBs were at the show than usual, including a blue chrome-bumpered and red rubber-bumpered ones.
More MGBs were at the show than usual, including a blue chrome-bumpered and red rubber-bumpered ones.
A red Lotus Elise.
A red Lotus Elise.
A vintage Indian motorcycle with sidecar.
A vintage Indian motorcycle with sidecar.
A green C6 Corvette Convertible with orange racing stripes.
A green C6 Corvette Convertible with orange racing stripes.
An orange C5 Corvette with black racing stripes.
An orange C5 Corvette with black racing stripes.
A white 1976 VW SP2.
A white 1976 VW SP2. Despite its racy looks, it came with only 75 horsepower for a 0-60 mph time of 16 seconds.
red C7 Chevrolet Corvette
A red 7th-generation Corvette.
A red 1947 Ford coupe hot rod.
A red 1947 Ford coupe hot rod.