GALLERY: MAAC All-American Vintage Show, Kilbeggan

REPORT from the Midland American Auto Club

Photo credits: Nevada Automotive and Ryan North

The Midland American Auto Club had a successful All-American Car Truck and Bike show on Sunday 24th April 2022 in Kilbeggan.

This is the only All-American show of the year in Ireland which is exclusively American vehicles and celebrates all that is good about American transport.

After a three-year absence almost a record number of American vehicles turned up; huge 18-wheeler Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks, muscle cars, Mustangs, Corvettes, big Cadillacs, Lincolns and Buicks, many pick-up trucks, Chevrolet day vans and Harley Davidson motorcycles.

American cars, vans, trucks and bikes came from all over the island of Ireland – from Belfast, Cork, Dublin and the west. Cars came over from England and Wales too to join in the party.

The specialist American cars were out in force too; Smokey and the Bandit Trans Ams, Starsky and Hutch red and white Ford Torinos, black and white police cars, lowriding station wagons, 1940s Hudsons and Studebakers, ’30s hot rods and a 1959 Ghostbusters ambulance.

The club were also pleased by the number of newer American vehicles that came to the show, demonstrating that the American car scene in Ireland has a healthy future.

The sunny day brought out the visiting public in good numbers also, many of whom had heard about the show in magazines, local newspapers, on the radio and from social media.

As well as being a celebration of American culture, the show paid tribute to those who had lost their lives throughout the pandemic, some of which were club members, and paid tribute and a big thank you to the essential and emergency services workers over the past three years with a celebratory ‘Sound of Remembrance’ – a sound-off of car and truck horns, wailing emergency vehicle sirens, revving engines and barking exhausts.

There was lots to see and do; from marvelling at the three huge American fire engines, one of which was fresh in from New York, and which had served in 9/11 and had a 100-foot high ladder – it looked amazing even only half-extended.

People listened to the informative interviews as the owner explained the history and capability of the fire engines – it is capable of pumping 100 gallons a minute!

There was an increased number of stands selling automotive related and vintage items, which drew big crows all day long. Gourmet coffee, cakes, hamburgers and corn dogs were on hand to sample whilst taking a break from seeing all the cars, trucks, vans and bikes.

There were rides and entertainment for the little ones too. As well as a bucking bronco for those budding cowboys and cowgirls who were brave enough!

Joe Keenan, Midland American Auto Club chairman, said: “We always try to put on a great show, with lots to see and do for the whole family. If the weather is with us we always have a good show and this year was no exception.

“We are also pleased to do our bit for the economy of Westmeath and Offaly by filling the local hotels and B&Bs with visitors from around Ireland and the UK.

“The quality of American vehicles goes up and up each year with many new cars, trucks and vans new on the scene. It is good to connect with new owners as well as old friends once again” said.

“We look forward to welcoming everybody back next year on the last weekend of April before the bank holiday, April 23, 2023.”