Downtown Arlington fuels community with Classic Car Show

Car collectors and enthusiasts alike cruised through the Downtown Arlington Classic Car Show to admire antique and classic cars dating back to the early 20s and late 70s.

About 175 cars owners brought their prize possessions to line the streets of Vandergriff Town Center on June 1, sharing their favorite features and accents with the community. 

“Just being with my friends, meet new people, new car owners. It's just a great family,” car owner Ray Carrasco said. “But it's good people to be around with, that's the best part of it.”

Downtown Arlington hosted the second annual Classic Car Show on June 1 in the Vandergriff Town Center at 200 N. Mesquite Street. The event featured about 175 cars, live music and a variety of local food vendors.

Jesse Minton brought out a World War II Army Jeep built in a Ford assembly plant in Dallas. From 1940 to 1945, the production of consumer vehicles was halted as automakers were tasked to produce Army vehicles for the war. To commemorate several family members who served in WWII, he chose the 1942 Ford GPW, one of the first Jeeps ever created.

Ray Carrasco has had his 1971 Chevrolet Nova SS for a few years, bringing his blue manual to different car shows every weekend. Attending alongside about seven friends, the camaraderie and family aspect keep him coming back.

Families of all ages attended the Downtown Arlington Classic Car Show on June 1 in the Vandergriff Town Center at 200 N. Mesquite Street. Attendees were able to vote on their favorite cars for the People’s Choice award.

Left: Steven Armendariz’s 1970 Nova has stuck with him since high school, with a glossy black his brother inspired him to get. His love for cars has always been in the family after working on cars with his dad growing up. 

Right: Robert Armendariz built his 1969 Camaro over the last year and a half, this being his first car show. In the business of building cars, Armendariz is proud to see how his car came out.

Shiner the Spaniel walks through the second annual Classic Car Show on June 1 in the Vandergriff Town Center at 200 N. Mesquite Street. Various attendees brought their dog while admiring the cars.

Marco Rubio, Joel Segura and Eddie Aguilar started Pachuco after becoming close friends. The group found they all enjoyed fixing up cars and the camaraderie car shows bring as audiences interact in conversation. They brought a 1936 Buick 46-C Convertible, a 1952 Chevy Convertible and a 1939 Packard Six Convertible, each detailed with their group logo.

Artist Keisha Leighart is a realism artist, brought out to draw classic cars. Leighart is a mostly self-taught artist who also paints and creates abstract pieces.

Oliver Rose sells Cadillacs, adding the 1958 Cadillac to his personal collection for its sentimental value. He enjoys seeing how generations of the brand have grown over the years. Over the past 15 years, Rose has shown his four cars at various car shows, his favorite being a 66 Seville.

Bob Woods is a longtime UTA mechanical engineering professor and Formula SAE adviser. Alongside his students, Woods brought two Formula SAE racing cars and a 1966 Ford GT40.

Thank you to all of our sponsors and car owners for making the 2024 Downtown Arlington Classic Car Show one to remember. We'll see you next year!