Polished chrome gleamed in the bright sun on hot rods, muscle cars and a classic 1956 Mercury Montclair convertible in downtown Lebanon on a Sunday afternoon in late August 2016, as the mercury topped a whopping 92 degrees.
The heat didn’t keep die-hard car fans from wandering among meticulously restored machines, representing decades of Detroit dominance, that lined Cumberland Street between Fourth and Ninth streets.
The draw of a classy chassis and streamlined design is powerful, whether on a Chevy, a Ford or one of the rarer breeds of classics that still rev their way into small towns across the country during car show season.
Keeping cool, sort of
There was no escaping the heat on the streets of Lebanon, where Dale Seese sat on the sidewalk in the shade, keeping a watchful eye on his prized 1931 Plymouth sedan.
“I’m used to sitting in the heat,” Seese said. “It doesn’t bother me too much.”
His salmon-colored car sat with its suicide doors open, revealing a gray interior salvaged from a 2006 Chevy Impala.
Forty years of restoring
Seese has worked on hot rods and classic cars for 40 years, restoring Cobras and a memorable 1967 Firebird convertible. Now retired, he bought the Plymouth four years earlier from his boss.
The historic car, which most recently came out of Maryland, now calls Cleona home. Its makeover includes a 350 engine, a 9-inch Ford rear end and ghost flames.
To Seese, the show was a success despite the heat. Seeing families enjoy the car together gave him a sense of fulfillment.
“Everyone was taking pictures of it with their kids,” he said. “A lot of people like it.”
Up and down Cumberland Street
Across the street, the owner of a convertible street rod leaned casually on his car and chatted with passersby, its curved, polished blue Ford fenders reflecting the scene around it. The owner of a muscle car set off in search of ice chips to keep cool.
Why car shows endure
Classic car shows remain a fixture of summer in central Pennsylvania. For owners, they are a chance to show off years of work and swap stories with fellow enthusiasts. For spectators, they offer a free trip through automotive history, from prewar sedans to the muscle cars of the 1960s and ’70s.
Many of the cars on display are restored in home garages over years of nights and weekends. Owners often know every bolt, and most are happy to explain what’s under the hood.
Car show tips
- Bring water and sunscreen. Summer shows offer little shade.
- Ask before touching. Owners are proud of their finishes and usually happy to open the hood on request.
- Bring the kids. Many owners say young visitors are the best part of the day.
- Arrive early for parking and the best views before crowds build.
Closer to home
Lititz hosts classic car shows of its own each summer, including evening cruise nights downtown that draw collectors and families from across northern Lancaster County.
Lebanon’s downtown
Shows on Cumberland Street bring crowds downtown, and many visitors combine browsing the cars with a meal at a local restaurant.
The appeal of restoration
For many owners, the joy of a classic car is as much in the work as in the drive. Tracking down parts, rebuilding engines and perfecting paint can take years, and owners often share their progress with fellow enthusiasts at shows. Spectators get to see the results of all that effort up close, often with the owner on hand to tell the story.
This article was originally published in August 2016.