Annual Glen Ellyn Vintage Auto Fest

 Over 50 cars attended this year's Auto Fest. While there were a few sprinkles, it was a great, cool day for an auto show. The three speakers in the History Center provided wonderful talks throughout the day:

Pierce-Arrow Highlights by Bill Morris;
Muscle & Pony Car Mania: The Art of Selling Horsepower by Mitch Frumkin;
Studebaker Highlights by Al Krodel.

Best in Show Awards:

​First Place: Bill Morris, 1932 54 Club Brougham Pierce-Arrow (Glen Ellyn)

Second Place: Dr. William Guinta, 1958 Oldsmobile Fiesta (Frankfort)

Third Place: Tim and Doris Kehoe, 1958 Transtar ½ Ton Studebaker (Elburn)

New this year was a People's Choice Award, won by Rodger Wilson for his 1921 T6 REO (Bolingbrook).

Around 40 cars came for this year's show, despite the weather forecast for severe thunderstorms. The weather cooperated, however, and not a drop was felt until well after the end of the show. It turned out to be a great day for a car show, cloudy to partly sunny with a high of 80 degrees.

We had three wonderful talks in the History Center, which was in rough condition as the building continues to recover from a March flood when a pipe in the fire suppression system burst, flooding the entire building. Everyone had a fantastic attitude and dealt with the minor challenges. Bill Morris spoke about Pierce Arrow Highlights, Mitch Frumkin talked about Chicago Auto Show History Highlights 1901-2019, and Al Krodel shared Aston Martin Highlights.

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The featured car this year was the 1935 Auburn Speedster owned by Mark Spandikow of Glen Ellyn, a sporty supercharged car with a pointed tail. (Each car was guaranteed by the maker to have been driven over 100 miles per hour before it was sold.)

Best in Show Awards:

​First Place: Jim Manak, Jr. for his red and white 1965 Volkswagen Bus

Second Place: Dezi and Donna Seabrooks for their 1953 Packard Caribbean. 

Third Place: Mark Spandikow for his 1937 Cord Cabriolet 812

Over 60 cars turned out for the show this year, co-sponsored by Packards of Chicagoland. The weather was perfect for the show,
temperature in the 80s and a light breeze.

John Maxson was our star performer, giving his renowned presentation on the history of the Packard Motor Car Company. Al Krodel, also gave an interesting history on the Studebaker legend, from the 19th Century Conastoga Wagons, to the company’s union with Packard in the 1950s.

Mitch Frumkin, the consummate expert on the Annual Chicago Auto Show, presented historic footage
that left the audience spellbound. Another presentation was made by Dan Anderson, local historian, on early vehicles and auto garages in Glen Ellyn. 

An added treat this year was the appearance of a featured car, the historic Kennedy Packard, a 1937 model 1502 limo. This car was the official car of Joseph Patrick Kennedy, United States Ambassador to Great Britain, 1937-1940, and father of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. The headlights of the car are Marchel headlights from France. The vehicle is owned by Russ Rodriguez, Regional Director, Greater Illinois Region, Classic Car Club of America. 

Best in Show Awards:

​First Place:  1933 Marshall Field’s Buick Delivery van 

Second Place: 1929 Hupmobile Century Six Touring Sedan

(Tied) Third Place:  1935 Chrysler Airflow Sedan and 1931 Packard 833 Coupe