On the same grassy field, spectators could view a vintage Rolls-Royce “shooting brake” and an early ’Vette’s body mated to a modern powertrain.
The not-often-seen editions were among dozens of vehicles at the Cars in the Park event April 24 on Kiawah Island.
Photos by Glenn Surrette
A host of domestic editions, including a Mustang, Hummer and Ford Cobra form a semi-circle at the annual Cars in the Park show April 24 on Kiawah Island.
About 60 cars were registered for the show, although rain may have held down the total. Throughout the day, car enthusiasts and curious onlookers checked out vehicles, sneaking looks in windows or gazing at open hoods or trunks.
The Cars in the Park show drew an interesting mélange of classic European luxury models, English roadsters and stylish domestics from the post War era.
Browsers could see rare editions, such as a 1953 Kaiser Manhattan sedan. Built in Willow Run, Mich., by the Kaiser-Frazer Corp. and then Willys Motors Inc., the Kaiser lasted just a decade, 1946-55. The Manhattan was the manufacturer’s top-of-the-line brand.
Show-goers also could witness American classics, such as a 1952 Buick. And they could take in sporty domestics, such as a Ford Cobra and a ’71 Chevy Nova.
A 1935 Rolls-Royce shooting brake (left) and 1961 Triumph TR3A were among the classic imports at Cars in the Park on Kiawah Island last Saturday.
Marking the show’s incongruity were two British cars side by side – a 1935 Rolls-Royce wood sided ‘shooting brake’ and a 1961 Triumph TR3A.
The shooting brake is a term from days gone by. Early versions of the station wagon, these two-door estate cars were reconfigured to make it easier for gentlemen hunters to carry their weapons and teams of dogs.
The alpine green Triumph, by contrast, oozed “roadster” with its short wheel base, room for two and ragged top.
Among the more unusual models was a retro design that had the body of a 1953 Corvette and the platform of a hard-charging 2003 ’Vette. Reportedly, the car was made as a speculation vehicle for sale to General Motors for Corvette’s 50th anniversary year, but GM passed on the project.
