Car shows have become synonymous with summer in and around the Delaware River Towns, but few (none, if we’re being honest), have the clout of the New Hope Auto Show. This year’s edition will be the 62nd, which makes it one of the oldest of its kind in the entire country.
The construction at New Hope-Solebury High School, the site of the show, has cramped recent editions, but that’s done now. This year’s show will be a return to glory, of sorts. For starters, it’s back to two days, August 10 and 11, with each featuring a unique lineup. Day one is reserved mostly for domestic cars, everything from Woodies and Mustangs to Model T’s and Studebakers. Day two, the foreign makes move in: Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Triumph, Morgan, Lamborghini, and Porsche, among a host of others.
The show’s paying homage to the 100th anniversary of Bentley Motors, so expect a regal display.
Hitting the road
In an effort to make the show more inclusive, organizers created a road rally that’ll be returning this year on July 28. Think of it like a scavenger hunt for car enthusiasts. (Though you don’t necessarily need a cool car to join in. Advance registration, however, is required because the field’s limited to 50 cars.)
Participants drive around Bucks County seeking out answers to a series of questions. For those of us in the right place at the right time, it’s a chance to catch a pared-down version of the car show on the fly. The rally will kick off from New Hope-Solebury High School at 10 AM. But all you really need to do is listen for the sound of abnormally large engines revving and the occasional peel-out.
Peacock-ing in the parking lot
The organizers are also trying something new this year. On Aug. 4, the Sunday before the show, car (and truck and motorcycle) enthusiasts are invited to park in the lot next to the high school’s football stadium and basically spend the morning peacock-ing over coffee.
There’s no need to register in advance for what’s been dubbed the inaugural “New Hope Auto Show Cars & Coffee.” There are, however, incentives for getting there early—it’ll run from 8 AM to 11 AM—including two free tickets to the show for each of the first 10 cars. Discounted tickets and VIP passes will be available for everyone else.
If the show itself is enough for you, here are a few key details to be aware of: It’ll run from 9 AM to 4 PM both days. Admission is $10. (Seniors get in for $5. Kids under 12 accompanied by an adult and active military members are free.) Onsite parking, off the Route 202 spur, will be available for $5. Alcohol’s not permitted on the show grounds, nor are pets and bikes.
And don’t forget to vote. (Ballots will be available at every gate.) Half the fun is having a say in which car drives off at the end of the day with the People’s Choice Award.
