23rd Camaro Nationals Re-Cap
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The 23rd Camaro Nationals is now in the record books. A whole year’s worth of work – and it over in the blink of an eye!
Everything we imagined when we toured the Classic Auto Mall property worked out as planned. The venue, along with the proximity to the NY/NJ/Eastern PA/DE/MD beltway increased not only the pre-registration count, but the day of show, vendor, and spectator count as well. A full 500 Camaros attended, along with several Firebirds, for a glorious weekend; and 75 early-arrival Camaros took off for the Rolling Cruise on Thursday evening. The Classic Headquarters Banquet was fantastic, and the Charity Auction that followed raised a a record $11,000. for the Silence of Mary Home for Children. Everyone is still shaking their heads thinking about the fight to take our Mascot, Bobby Banana, home for the year. In the end, Andy Durfee and the Upstate Outcasts gave the winning bid of $2500 for Bobby, and the Long Island Camaro Club donated another $500 as a going away present. (they felt bad to give him up, but at least he was staying in NY.)
The Wheel Craft and Classic Headquarters Exhibit Halls were filled with over six dozen fantastic Camaros….from wild customs, to low milage first, second and third gens. Five ’67 big blocks contrasted two actual Police cars (and a third on display outside); and two late model, ground pounding COPOs, framed re-creations of Grumpy’s Toy and a Penske era Trans-Am car. Legends Class had some astounding first and second gen F-bodies up on the 4 post lift (supplied by Garage Services LLC), and Bow Tie judges went over three fantastic third gens, along with a row of beautiful first gens. The exhibit halls alone had cars from almost a dozen states, including California, Colorado. Arizona, Florida, and Maine.
Outside, over 425 Camaros soaked up the sun in judged and non-judged classes, to the tunes of DJ Joe Sporney. Changing Heartbeat to Drive-Thru Judging sped things up dramatically, allowing us to consider offering some Heartbeat registrations to Day of Show registrants next year.
Every year has a couple things happen that we will never forget. $3000 raised for Bobby Banana will be one…..and a second is the poor soul who lost his only set of keys to his late model convertible, and refused to leave it in the parking lot with the top down overnight. Local Chevrolet dealers and an AAA locksmith were unable to help, so a fellow Camaro Comrade pulled his enclosed trailer up to the car, allowing him to spend the night protected from the elements. Saturday morning, in the early light, we found the keys. Needless to say, he was ecstatic when he saw his key fob.
2020 brought us a great event, and we look forward to and even bigger and better show next July. Our late friend, Bud Scolastico would have been so proud to have 500 Camaros only 20 minutes from his home in Reading, PA.
Check out lots of great photos on the Gallery Page of this site, along with some videos of the show and the cruise, on our Facebook page.
Save The Date – Next year’s 24th Camaro Nationals will return to the Classic Auto Mall July 13th,14th & 15th, 2023!