I headed out of the speedway and into the front parking lot where the AACA show is held. I figured "Row 1" was as good a place as any to start. I was greeted by one of my favorites.

1979 Lincoln Mark V Givenchy edition.

This car was being displayed in the Historic Preservation of Original Features (HPOF) class, which is for vehicles that have not been restored. Emphasis in this class is placed on originality.

The Givenchy edition was one of several Lincoln "Designer Series" cars that became available beginning in 1976. For 1979, four individual Designer Series trim packages were available: Bill Blass, Cartier, Emilio Pucci, and Givenchy. Each was available in only one color combination that changed each year.

In the case of this Givenchy edition, the combination for 1979 was Crystal Blue Metallic exterior paint with a Crystal Blue Valino Grain front-half vinyl roof and Dark Crystal Blue leather interior. This is a rare car, being one of 2,262 produced that year.

Just like in previous years, the HPOF and Driver Participation Class (DPC) categories were the largest. Neither of these classes are point-judged. All vehicles are evaluated against a defined standard.

I took a walk through the HPOF and DPC cars first.

1951 Packard 200 DeLuxe sedan.

For 1951, Packard's 200 Series represent the entry level product.

Since it was the least expensive, it makes sense that it was also the most popular. A total of 47,052 DeLuxe 200 Series cars were produced in 1951.

This was also the only car in Packard's lineup that year to be powered by a 6-cylinder engine, in this case, a 288 CID inline unit that made 135 hp.

1971 Buick Riviera (L), 1967 Chevrolet Impala convertible (R).

1975 Chevrolet Corvette.

This is a DPC car, where an otherwise original car has been upgraded with non-original enhancements that allow for it to be driven on a regular basis. The photo above is of the base RPO L48 350 CID V8 that makes 165 hp.

Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS.

For some reason, I forgot to take note of what year this Monte Carlo SS was. Based on the door lettering, it's either a 1987 or 1988.

1971 Jaguar XKE 2+2 coupe.

The Series 3 E-Type arrived for the 1971 model year with Jaguar's new 5.3L V12 engine. Only two body styles were available, this 2+2 coupe and an Open Two Seater (convertible).

The 5.3L V12 was new for 1971 and made 246 hp.

A total of 15,287 Series 3 cars were produced over the model run from 1971 - 74.

1968 Buick Riviera.

Even though the second generation Buick Riviera shared a platform with the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado, Buick retained a rear-wheel drive layout. Power comes from Buick's new-for-1967 430 CID V8 that makes 360 hp.

Great sticker under the hood !

1985 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible.

After Cadillac built, "The Last American convertible" in 1976, the Eldorado convertible returned to the Cadillac lineup for 1984. The Eldorado Biarritz convertible, (and it's platform cousin the 1982 - 85 Buick Riviera convertible), were actually built by American Sunroof Corporation with the full factory backing and warranty coverage.

This is a very rare car, being one of 2,300 produced for 1985.

1965 Ford Mustang.

289 CID V8.

1969 Ford Mustang Mach I.

This car features the rare 428 CID V8 that was grossly underrated at 335 hp.

1968 Mercury Montego MX.

Power comes from a 302 CID V8 with a 2-bbl carburetor that makes 210 hp.

1959 Buick Invicta.

The Invicta was Buick's mid-level offering positioned above the entry level LeSabre and upper level Electra and Electra 225.

Power comes from a new-for-1959 401 CID version of its Nailhead V8 that makes 325 hp.

This Invicta 2-door hardtop was the second most popular Invicta model for 1959 with 11,451 produced that year.

1961 Mercury Comet 2-door sedan.

Introduced for 1960, the Comet was originally to be part of the Edsel lineup. But when Edsel production ceased in November 1959, the Comet was shifted to Lincoln-Mercury dealerships. However, it was sold without any Mercury badging, meaning it was marketed as a Comet. The Mercury designation arrived for 1962.

The Comet was an instant success. A total of 116,331 were produced for its introductory year of 1960. This 1961 model is one of 197,263 produced that year.

1931 Ford Model A.

The 1931 model year would be the last for the Ford Model A, which would be replaced by the Model B for 1932. Over the course of its four model year run, more than 4.8 million cars of all body styles were produced. Power comes from Ford's 201 CID I4 that makes 40 hp.

1926 Pierce-Arrow Series 80 Runabout.

The Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company of Buffalo, New York traces its roots back to the early 1870s manufacturing firm of Heinz, Pierce and Munschauer. Company founder George N. Pierce established the company to produce household items such as bird cages, toilet seats, bath tubs, and washing machines.

Pierce soon bought out his partners and changed the company name to the George N. Pierce Company. Bicycles became part of the product line by 1896. His first venture into automobiles focused on building a steam powered car. But that was soon abandoned in favor of gasoline power.

Emphasis was placed on build quality and power. Pierce-Arrow automobiles quickly became powerful, reliable, and expensive status symbols that were owned by celebrities, business tycoons, and royalty around the world. Pierce-Arrow, along with Peerless and Packard, became known as, "The Three Ps of Motordom" due to their reputation for building high quality automobiles.

This car was displayed with a list of specifications. Two things stand out:
~ The 288 CID inline 6-cylinder engine made 70 hp. This was at a time when a Ford Model T made 20 hp.
~ The original price of this car is listed as $2,895. This was at a time when a Ford Model T Runabout cost $365.

Power for the Series 80 comes courtesy of a 288 CID inline 6-cylinder engine that makes 70 hp, which was a lot for that era.

In addition to its reputation for quality, Pierce-Arrow was also known for building powerful cars. In addition to the 288 CID inline 6-cylinder in this entry level Series 80, Pierce-Arrow also offered a more upscale Series 33 that was powered by a twin cam, four valve 414 CID inline 6-cylinder that made 100 hp.

But even that was a far cry from the Model 66 produced from 1910 - 18. For 1913, the already huge 714 CID inline 6-cylinder was bumped to 825 CID, (resulting in a staggering 140 hp), making it the largest production car engine ever produced.

Pierce-Arrow introduced its most recognizable styling trait in 1914 when the car's headlamps were moved from the familiar location on either side of the radiator to being integrated into the front fenders. Conventional headlamp arrangement was still offered if the buyer requested it. But not many were produced this way.

1939 Dodge D11 Luxury Liner.