Yesterday's CHILSON AMC show (PA)

["John W Rosa" <JohnRosa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

My first visit to the Chilson's AMC show in 
Lawrenceville, PA was a real good time. I
informally counted about 70 cars overall.
The rainy weather cleared out just as the
show began, and by 11AM, it was full sunshine 
under blue skies for the rest of the event.

This event comes across as 'special' for many 
reasons, but for me, the main one is the fact 
is it's held on the site of a former AMC 
Dealership, and it still is a used car lot.
As such, they move all their inventory off the
pavement for this event, and the AMCs fill the 
lot, giving the impression you've stepped back 
in time. All that was missing was one of those
original black monolith AMC signs that collectors 
covet. You know...the big black rectangular thing 
with American Motors' sideways on it with the RWB 
logo at the top...a good 30 feet or more tall?
Maybe next year, someone that owns one can supply 
it for the day?? Truck it in and set it up early 
in the morning? What a photo-op for car owners to 
be shot under that sign, 'on the lot'.

Pete's Patriot SS/AMX was on hand to rule the 
roost, and other Hurst entries included at 
least 5 SC/Ramblers, a Rebel MACHINE, and one
SC/360. About a dozen 68-70 AMXs, a half-dozen 
68-70 Javelins, another half-dozen 71-74 AMXs,
and another half-dozen Spirits and Spirit-AMXs.

I noted a single Pacer X, a couple of Eagles,
a handful of Nash and Hudson models, too. Several 
Marlins, a Rebel sedan and wagon, a sweet '64 
Classic, Larry Blatt's Rogue and a few more 
Americans and a two-tone Matador coupe. Oddly,
just a single '76 Gremlin. A few convertibles 
were on hand, to....a seafoam American, black 
Rogue, and a blue Ambassador.

One Gremmie, one Hornet...but five SC/Ramblers???
One or two Ambassadors to about twenty Javelins 
and AMXs? You folks with the hubcapped cars
need to get 'em to this event. While the actual
split was more like 65/35, I'd love to see a 
show where the Concords outnumber the Javelins.
And I love Javelins.

The 'what the heck am I looking at' award goes to 
the coffin-nosed Matador sedan with the custom 
front lights. Bet you didn't know you can graft 
the entire Spirit/Eagle/Concord light and bezel 
unit on a Matador and make it look like it belongs 
there!! A really nice job...and an easy update for 
even AMC to have done way back when.

Sorry for the few I didn't mention....can't recall 
them all!!

About a dozen vendors were on hand with a good amount
of NOS stuff, plus plenty of used items and new,
hobbyist items like diecast cars, fender covers,
hats, shirts and the usual assorted things. I
grabbed a fender cover, a big plastic sign with the 
Hornet insignia, a black diecast Pacer, and a few 
other things. Didn't find my most wanted item- that 
darn vinyl top trim piece for my Hornet's driver-side 
C-pillar....rats.

Oh...and the gratis buffet...the Chilson's go too
far to make it all work. I don't want to know what 
that single day event costs them! (I scored a second 
meatball, against standard policy...I won't say who 
caved in and let me have it)

Inside, among the tables and chairs, was a HUGE 
memorabilia collection rivaling the one I saw at 
Lew Brown's last year!

I understand last year's show drew about 100-120 cars.
I think we need to absolutely slam Lawrenceville next 
year...turn it upside-down with Ramblers. Shoot for
150, maybe?? It would certainly cram the property, and 
perhaps spill a few cars onto the lawn.....which would 
be cool.


I'll post a few photos later.