Two of the vehicles parked in downtown Faribault Friday evening for the last Car Cruise Night of the season.
AFTER ATTENDING NUMEROUS CAR SHOWS in recent years, including two back-to-back this past weekend, I sometimes wonder how I can possibly find anything new to photograph.
But I do.
I set my camera on the pavement for this low down perspective shot.
Hanging out at Faribault Car Cruise Night.
Hood ornaments always draw my attention.
It takes determination to seek out the details, the interesting perspectives, the light, the people and more. It helps to have an automotive machinist husband who knows cars inside and out.
Plenty of old vehicles lined a block of Central Avenue in historic downtown Faribault.
I’ll never care about old cars quite like Randy, still yearning for the ’64 Chevy he drove decades ago as a young man. I’d love for my husband to own one again. But with other more pressing needs, a vintage vehicle remains on the dream list.
The “license plate” and front of this Plymouth caught my eye.
Proud to be a Green Bay Packers fan.
The proud Packers fan bought this car already painted green. Perfect for this Minnesotan with a daughter living in Milwaukee who encourages her dad’s Packers mania.
And so my spouse and I meander among the old-time vehicles, me with camera in hand examining details like hood ornaments and interiors and the shine of bumpers.
Lots of looking under the hood opportunities.
Randy noticed, and pointed out to me, the original car order from 1967 for a Satellite still owned by the original owner.
And then I noticed the mini Satellite in the back window.
He’s more interested in what’s under the hood and whether everything is original.
See that metal rod sticking out behind the tire. I would have totally missed it except for my husband pointing out the curb scraper that keeps the tire from hitting the curb.
Remember how common these Phillips 76 balls once were on car antennas?
It’s a great system because he shows and shares information about vintage vehicles that I would not even consider or notice.
An absolutely beautiful work of art, in my opinion.
And maybe, just maybe, he has developed an appreciation for my artistic perspective.
A classic Ford Falcon.
HOW ABOUT YOU? What interests you in vintage vehicles?
Craig attracted plenty of attention when he flipped the lights and sirens on his vintage ambulance when leaving Faribault Car Cruise Night along Central Avenue.
What do you notice?
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
My husband would be in heaven visiting these cars. He has a ’67 Mustang and it’s his pride and joy. Like Randy, we have other financial priorities but nothing sensible is going to come between him and his Mustang. I can imagine if my husband was viewing these cars he would be there all day and all night xx
Love Mustangs. There are so many car shows in Minnesota. You could attend one every weekend during the warm summer months.
I notice the cup holders—or lack of them. 🙂 It is the most important part of a car in my humble opinion. 🙂
Hmmmm. Not too many cup holders in vintage cars. That I’ve noticed. Now I’ll be looking.
What a great series of photos! I can definitely identify with your artistic sensibilities similar to my own in taking photos of cruising cars that happens the last Sat. of the month way down in Columbus, Georgia.
Thank you, Lynn. And thanks for connecting all the way from Georgia.
Folks seem to appreciate and find value in vintage cars, furniture, even clothing… So why don’t folks value us “vintage” women, and view us as a piece of “timeless and beautiful art”? Hmmm? ; )
Oh, I think we’re valued, Rena. I do like that phrase, “vintage women.” I’ll have to remember that.
A “curb feeler”!!!!!!! Ah, yes……. Another excellent ‘report’ of your moments spent in our beautiful, rural small-town USA setting we are so blest to live in!!!!!!!
I had never heard of a curb scraper/feeler until my dear husband pointed it out.
Glad you enjoyed the car show. I’ll be showcasing one more soon.
Loving your captures 🙂 Curb feelers – no curb checking the classic car or beautiful paint job. My eye gravitates to hood ornaments – saw one last year and it was a gold miner – love the lady hood ornament above – beauty and fluidity. I love the pops of color too! Happy Day 🙂
A gold miner. Now that’s an unusual hood ornament.
I will have to find the picture of it and share again.
Yes, please do.
We are “of that age.” These photos jog my memories of my uncle’s yellow Cadillac convertible. What bliss to get a chance to sit with other cousins on the back seat on a hot summer evening – our hair streaming straight out. We’d come back chilled down all right!
What sweet memories you have of your uncle’s convertible.
My Dad is always at car shows with his 1966 restored Mustang, I’m sure if I went I’d have a blast, it’s just finding the time…which I really need to do. Loved all your photo’s, I really do appreciate the details in your photo’s! The woman hood ornament is fabulous…nice shot, so crisp and clear, the silver on Red outstanding!
Yes, Jackie, you must find the time to attend a car show. It took awhile for these shows to grow on me. For years, Randy attended solo, until one day I decided to join him. And the rest, is as they say, history.
Love the car shows…we get a few here and try to go check them out. I enjoy seeing what the individual owners have done with the cars; some are completely restored while others are a work in progress. Meet a lot of nice folks too. Good way to spend time with hubby – checking out old cars!
I agree that car shows are enjoyable on many levels.