Lake Lawn Lodge and the Delavan Area Chamber of Commerce put on one of the largest and best car show that I have ever been to. The resort atmosphere and weather could not have been better. Where else could you see 800 plus vintage automobiles, a beautiful lake, shaded well-maintained grounds, see biplanes circling, allow your kids to enjoy swimming in the pools and get your friends with a boat to take them tubing all in the same place?
We started the day with some of the Illinois members cruising up together. Actually, that’s not entirely correct. I should say, Dave Sullivan started the day at 5:30am cruising up from Pontiac, Illinois to attend this show. But that would only be half right, because we were blessed to have Hank, Lee, Tony and Josh driving the long distance from Green Bay, to meet up with us. Alltogether, we had 12 first generation Firebirds attend, making it the most largely attended club event we have been able to put together. Saddly, there were a few birds that came down with mechanical problems just before starting the cruise, including two 1969 Trans Ams that would have loved to have been there.
Lake Lawn had this event very well organized. Our club was able to park together, which really helped as some of us came in at different times.
On the road in Wisconsin, cruisin in to Delavan!
Some of our Illinois group, with Kevin’s California car from Milwaukee.
Happy club members relaxing in the shade behind a group of second gen Firebirds. The ample shade and grass parking were key to making this a great event.
The birds looked great with the lake in the background.
Having a great time making new friends – we really appreciate the support of our wives!
Everyone loved seeing so many first generation Firebirds together!
- This is Wendell’s 1968 Meridian Turquose 350 convertible. What a spectacular color combination!
Here’s a great look at the beautiful turquose interrior of his car.
Josh’s Goldenrod Yellow, 1969 400 convertible with Parchment interrior.
Josh brought his wife and two daughters out to enjoy the day. They just love their Daddy’s firebird – and we have never seen a Firebird full of American Girl dolls before!
Vince and Donna with their metal flake burgundy 1969 400 convertible.
Tony brought one of the four 1969 convertibles from Green Bay.
His bird won one of the judges awards for best car – a pretty impressive feat, considering the quality and quantity in this show field!
Hank also brought his Firebird in from Green Bay. You may remember this car from our POCI story.
Lee and Bonnie’s convertible has a custom interior and is lowered slightly giving it an aggressive stance that everyone notices.
Matt with his high school buddy Bob, who came up from St. Louis to visit.
Kevin’s 1968 Flambeau Burgundy is a non-restored, survivor California car. I love the petina of the paint and deteroriated window seals on this original Firebird!
Sully’s 1967 road warrior from Pontiac, Illinois. Unfortunately, after 400 plus miles it broke down 14 miles from home and had to be towed. A reminder how fragile our old cars can be.
Ken and Mike enjoying good conversation by some beautiful ‘birds.
It’s always fun to include the whole family while at an all-day event, and there was plenty to do at Lake lawn Lodge for the younger crowd.
Here’s Tanner and Spencer walking with me down to one of the pools.
Lake Lawn has a small, grass airfield accross the street. We were fortunate enough to see these two Bi-planes circling around the show field.
The indoor pool was a great place for the kids to cool off while the car event was going on outside! If it’s not too crowded, the Lodge let’s you buy a day pass for $5 per kid.
Tubing on the lake was fun for Mom and the kids while Dad was able to enjoy the cars.
Go cart racing anyone? Actually, these are Road America type racing cars for serious thrill junkies. Sorry kids, not for you… yet!
There were actually several other kinds of show cars here (800 to be more specific). This was Sully’s favorite non-Firebird. In our next post – we’ll have lots more of those “other” cars to show you so stay tuned…
(Story by Ken Pitcher. Pictures by Ken Pitcher, Dave Sullivan and Jim Calvin.)
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Midwest Firebirds, 2014 ©
