Ormond Beach revved up with 60th-annual Gaslight parade and Birthplace of Speed antique car show

Plymouths, Thunderbirds, Bel Airs and Oldsmobiles are just a few of the models that turned back time this weekend.

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The city was alive with the sound of antique car horns and the rumbling revving of original engines during the 60th-annual Gaslight Parade along E. Granada Boulevard on Friday, Nov. 24.

Organized by the Antique Automobile Club of America Volusia Region, the parade and its subsequent Birthplace of Speed antique car show have been a longtime tradition of Ormond Beach since 1957. The club's president, Steve Meyers, said both the parade and judged car show are opportunities for people to see older models of cars that aren't common to see. Only entirely original cars are allowed to participate in the car show each year, though the parade is open to all antique vehicles.

“It’s a Friday evening show-off," Meyers said. "We just let them enjoy it, and they’re on the parade route. People are out there on the street and they enjoy seeing the older cars.”

One of the cars showed off during the parade was Ormond Beach resident David Slick's 1966 Oldsmobile 442 convertible, which Slick said was a surprise he got for his wife Tony for their 50th wedding anniversary. It was the same model she bought just before they married in 1967 and eventually had to sell. Their "new" 1966 Oldsmobile is the same misty blue color hers was, 

For Emily Kroeger, who has been part of AACA Volusia Region for over 15 years, it's all about the people.

“We just enjoy people that enjoy old cars,” Kroeger said.

And of course, she said she likes to see them in their original state, something that Meyer echoed.

“I like to see these vehicles come in as most authentic as possible,” Meyer said.

He said preserving the cars is one way for the owners to show how much they love their antiques.

 

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