A red 1958 Corvette exhibited at a previous Midlands All-American Auto Club Show.

Another American auto show for Kilbeggan

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A black Peterbilt truck at the Kilbeggan Showgrounds.

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Some of the classic American cars on display at a previous show.

Published: Fri 21 Apr 2023, 5:31 PM

The Midland American Auto Club in Kilbeggan is hosting its All American Car Truck and Bike show this Sunday, April 23, from 11am at its showgrounds opposite Kilbeggan Racecourse.

This year the club is celebrating its 21st birthday show – having missed two due to COVID. And once again, the club is inviting all American Car, Truck, Van and Bike clubs and owners across the island of Ireland to attend.

Admission is still €10 and free for children under 14 if accompanied by an adult. American show cars, trucks, vans, pickups and bikes and occupants get in free; the club doesn’t believe in charging exhibitors to come to the show.

People come from all over Ireland to see the cars, trucks, vans and bikes. Some camp over. Some attendees have confirmed they will be travelling from the UK to attend the show – and staying for the week to enjoy the Midlands.

This year the famous muscle car burnout competition will be back. So you can actually hear the roar of a big V8 engine and see the air filled with tyre smoke!

Visiting clubs will be interviewed live during the day, interspersed with American themed music played over the PA system around the showgrounds to create that authentic American atmosphere.

There will also be an indoor and outdoor autojumble to help restorers find that elusive part. Or pick up some Americana for the kids. There are automotive related vendors inside the sheds, an American car drawing coaching area so kids can have a go at drawing an American car of their choice – a great memento to take home and other events to keep the kids occupied when they’ve seen all the Americana they can soak up so the parents don’t have to go home early.

There will also be a selection of food and coffee trucks to cater to most tastes.

This year non-American vintage vehicles are invited to park in a reserved area in the public car park near the showfield entrance so owners of non-American classic cars can also bring their older car, lorry or van out for a run to the show for the day. There will also be disabled parking near the showfield entrance.

The Midland American Auto Club was started in 2001 by two friends in Kilbeggan. Both shared an interest in American vehicles, pick-ups in particular, so they got together and decided to advertise for a show to see who would come. Some 25 vehicles came that year and they were overjoyed with the response.

Wind forward 22 years and the club is still having its All American Car Truck and Bike Show at its own showgrounds in Kilbeggan. The club is very fortunate to have its own premises starting with one clubhouse with a workshop. Over the years the sheds have grown in number, the floors concreted, toilet facilities improved, the now famous burnout pad added, as has an outdoor music and PA system.

The club now has hundreds of members and attracts new members weekly. All dedicated to preserving the history and enjoyment of American vehicles in Ireland. The founders Joe Keenan and Kieran Mullen are still active in the club; Joe is Chairman and Kieran, Club Secretary & Treasurer, and the club now has a small committee to run the annual All American show.

The show is the largest All American show in Ireland and always on the last weekend of April every year. Some 400 plus American vehicles regularly attend from Harley Davidson motorcycles to monster Big Rig Kenworths, Peterbilts, Internationals, Macks and Freightliners, American Fire Engines and pick-up trucks old and new. Ford, Dodge and Chevy pick-up trucks are a perennial favourite of all. Of late, Chevrolet and Dodge vans have become more popular, in addition to the many Mustangs from the sixties to the new teens, Camaros, Firebirds, Buicks, Pontiacs, Chryslers, Chevrolets, Cadillacs and Lincolns.

More information is available through Midland American Auto Club website www.MAAC-Ireland.com or info@MAAC-Ireland.com , Facebook; www.facebook.com/midland.american.auto.club , Instagram, TikTok, or speak to Joe Keenan (Club Chairman) 087 238 8400, Kieran Mullen (Club Secretary) 087 986 4199 and Nick Stratta (Club PRO) 085 828 9922.