DAYTONA BEACH — The 28th annual Spring Turkey Run held at Daytona International Speedway over the weekend featured more than a thousand classic and new cars drawing more than 55,000 visitors, officials said.
Record numbers of guests were at the event that had over a thousand show cars, 600 cars for sale and more than 500 swap vendors selling car-related items, said Jennifer Labonte, director of marketing for the Daytona Beach Turkey Run.
Crowds on Friday were up 14 percent compared to what they were last year and 8 percent on Saturday, Labonte said.
She didn't have an immediate figure, but the percentage increase is above the 55,000 people that attended last year's event.
"This has been largest Spring Turkey Run to date," Labonte said.
Chris Fletcher of Daytona Beach enjoyed the car show and said the variety of vehicles had something for everyone.
"Different cars, a full arrangement of cars, new to old, slow to fast and cheap to high," said Fletcher, whose fancy was taken up by a bright red 1961 Ford Falcon.
The event featured for the first time a car audio competition. And people who loved arts and crafts had the opportunity to shop at an arts and crafts alley. Children had a play area that included bounce houses.
Every color of car imagined could be found — aquamarine, turquoise, bright red, yellow, green and others that displayed the showmanship of car owners.
"This is a 1947 Ford," said Dave Garison, a car enthusiast from Interlachen who teaches automotive in high school in Palatka. His turquoise-colored car attracted a lot of attention.
While some liked sprucing up their rides, others such as Brian Walker of Statesboro, Georgia, liked the original looks of cars they collect, making art with the little rust the cars have on them.
This Spring Turkey Run, Walker said he brought what he called a rat truck. The truck was fitted with mechanical rats for a power train but is actually powered by a Volkswagen engine in the back, the top of which is a pool table.
"This spring I brought a '47 Dodge rat truck — you'll never see another one like it," Walker said. "We've got a fake drive train up front that looks like it's rat powered, so its unique."
All the customized cars and the creativity of some car owners, made for a great show, said John and Becky Castelano of Rochester, New York.
"It's one of the best car shows we've been to. We've been here all weekend," John Castelano said.
Like Fletcher, the car that lured John Castelano and his wife was the bright red 1961 Ford Falcon, which they said would look great next to their black mustang. The Castelanos also have their collection of classic cars, including five Mustangs and a 1971 Torino.
"Are you kidding me?" said Becky Castelano when asked about her husband's love for cars, adding that she also loves them. "I love it. it's been a great show."
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