From Rolls Royce to Studebaker, the North Carolina Coastal Plains chapter of Antique Automobile Club of America will host its annual car show June 21, in downtown Washington.

This is the 45th time Washington has hosted the show. President of the local chapter of the AACA, Bob McAdam, has been a part of the last five.

“You can see cars from the beginning from the automobile age through 1989,” McAdam said. “The cars have to be at least 25 years old in order to be eligible for the show. There will be cars from every decade.”
All the owners of the cars are from eastern North Carolina, with collectors coming from Wilmington to Williamston, according to McAdam.

“These are all original or restored cars,” McAdam said. “You won’t be seeing street rods or things like that. It’s going to be antique cars, and the oldest car is going to be a 1903 Cadillac.”

McAdam’s show car is a 1935 Ford convertible sedan that his father purchased. McAdam said he started showing the car after his father passed away, and five years ago he began restoring the car.

“I hear stories all the time from people about the year of my car. In New Bern I heard a story from guy who learned how to drive in a ’35 Ford,” McAdam said. “Or ‘I took out a girl in a ’35 Ford.’ You always hear those types of stories on the older cars. It always brings back memories.”

Along with the classic cars, an old fire truck and motorcycles may be on display as well, McAdam said.

The Washington event is just a showcase and cars will not be for sale, McAdam said. Approximately 100 cars will be on display.

The event begins at 9 a.m. on Stewart Parkway and is free to the public. Trophy presentation will be at 3:30 p.m.