We parked our trailer at the track and drove the 68 GS around for the duration of the event. I too miss the days when the hotels were full of classic Buicks resting and driving around. Much more fun driving the Buick than the tow vehicle. However, I do understand the need to drive the tow vehicle when tasking a dedicated race car to the Nationals.
The all night, every night street racing back then was so cool. That's because we were all 3o years younger.
That's exactly what we do at Cecil every year. Hire an off duty PO for overnight. 20.00/car. Nice pay day.
this thread reminds me ofhow much has changed at the nats,i have very fond memories of when the holidome was the place 2b,the parking lot was full of ppl satayin there,you could take pics from the secind floor and all u saw were buicks,it was awsome,there was a garden hose hooked up to the pizza hut that reached the parting lot for car washing,even richard was out there ashing ole blue that he drove up ftom valdosta,thry still had a good returaunt in the holidome,we used to get our rooms 1 yr in advance,it got bad when the other ppl took it over,and the it burned down,use to be a great mom and pop type restruant across and down alttle that hadgood food,the last time i was there o cancellrd the room and got a refund to deirty,yep in the early days parts wgere sold inside the hotel,john showed up with hisred car withfamily and a trunck full of parts,mokr from ta brougt a sample of the stg2 aluminum head,Hugh Richardson and Dave kliner were hot labling shirts and sweat shirts in the back southwest corner of the hotel,i helped Kieth and his wifw Ellen sell parts at the hotel,cant remember the name of it then,it was b4 torque tech,4me those were the best times ever,even when Dallas opened the track at midnight cause it had rained that day,what a trip down memory lane!!!
I was telling a buddy once I was home that vending at the swap meet and having the car in the trailer while being by myself was a lot of work and took away from seeing more of the event. I only had the car out for cleanup and the show. I missed not driving on the streets down there but as mentioned those streets are full of traffic much more than the early years. I also enjoyed the parking lot car shows but it's not what it used to be. It could be the cost and availability of parts and body shop rates that has many of us playing it safe. I still hope to be able to attend again next year and drive the car more while I am there. I do remember window shopping for parts in hotel windows as you walked around. People had parts or parts lists of what they had posted on their windows with the drapes open.
Yes.....the Holidome days were magical....window shopping the rooms.....girls in bikini's swimming in the indoor pool.....drunk chicks stumbling out of the Tiki bar at 2 am. that was housed in the building.....almost 100% Buicks in the parking lot...it was MAGICAL ! I just wish i was into photography back in those days so we would have some record to see what it was like back then Peace WildBill
. These were the days... I'm the unknown in the middle. Real '71 GSX 350 @ the Ramada circa 1987 - Cortez Gold w/buckets/console.
I had my car there Wednesday and Thursday but on Friday and Saturday, I had a truck load of my brother's stash to sell in the swap meet area.
I never made it over on Fri. to see everything. It went by so quickly. Good to see you though, albeit only for a min.
The rising values of these cars don't deem them to be parked in a lot like that,, unless everyone chips on for overnight security,, it also doesn't help the hotel itself is behind a gas station with not the greatest element that shops there. My opinion, find a nicer hotel to stay at and everyone chip in for security. If you want your cars there.
The old Plaza now holiday Inn is where i like to stay,..it has a restaurant,..bar,..great gathering areas,..pool,..and away from the interstate,..would make a great host hotel imo
Here's an old thread with a few parking lot pictures included. Photos from the Nats - Late 80s/Early 90s
