Does anyone know if there are any classic Mini shows in Maine over the summer? I heard the VIP Show and Shine usually have some, but does anyone else know of any other car shows?

Thanks,
Sunkist & Odie

 

The VIP show in Oxford is really (surprise!) geared to and dominated by the "Muscle Car and Hot Rod" crowd, but they do make a small effort to make owners of "Furrin Cahs" feel welcome. You may hear the classic directions given at most car shows around here - "You can park that around back with the other furrin cahs, what is it anyhow? a VW?".

For more specialized events you will have to leave the Pine Tree State and wander to places like Brookline, Mass. to the Museum of Transportation at Larz Anderson Park for British Car Day (June 24th) or the Micro & Mini Car Show (July 14), or go to Stowe, Vt. on the 3rd weekend of September for the "British Invasion". I have heard the the Mini (both flavors) is the featured marque this year.

There isn't a lot if you're looking for specialized car shows that feature MINIs, but most Mainers aren't very interested in anything that didn't come from Detroit (Mich - not ME) in my experience. Oh yeah, there is a Foreign Car show at Owls Head on Oct. 7th that always draws a couple of Minis, and there is a "Cruise Night" at the Topsham Fair Mall on Thursdays where there is a lonely looking Austin Mini (turquoise) who shows-up and looks like he could use some company. That's pretty much the "scene" as I know it.

As I have learned, if you want something to happen, the best way to guarantee it is to organize it yourself...

 

A friend sent me a picture of a Mini taken at the Bonney Eagle show last summer. It may have been the only one there...there is a guy in Freeport who imports and restores the cars. Find him, and he'll be able to tell you.

 

Silly me! How about British Car Day at Owls Head?

 

It would be wonderful if they actually had one, but the closest they come is the Foreign Car Festival in October.

I have attended this in the past with my TR6 and it's always a fun event (even if the weather can be a little "capricious"). Sunkist was looking for a classic Mini show in Maine, and if that's his quest, he'll be pretty disappointed with the 2 or 3 that show up at Owls Head along with anything else that was made outside of the USA.

Actually, this show will become increasingly inclusive as fewer cars (other than Hondas and Toyotas) are actually made here.