1978 Ford Mustang II coupe.

This is another case where I have a hard time accepting that a 1978 Ford Mustang II is an "antique car" even though the math confirms that it is. I remember seeing these cars all over the place when I was in high school. So it can't be that old, right ? Oh wait. Now that I think about it, I graduated 35 years ago as of this writing.

The Mustang II is viewed by Mustang purists as "not a Mustang" in just about every regard. There have been far more comparisons to the Pinto than anything else. As a result, the poor Mustang II never really had a chance. Or did it ?

Ford sold 192,410 Mustangs in 1978, which is more than all but six model years after that, and more than any year since 2000. In fact, the first year for the Mustang II body, 1974, was the Mustang's fourth best sales year of all time with 385,993 sold that year. So obviously, there was something there that appealed to the car buying public.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SL.

For whatever reason, I didn't get a picture of the front of this car, which is a shame because I've always liked the SL-Class cars.

1985 BMW 535i.

The E28 body BMW is very well liked and has a large following. This car has the very desirable 5-speed manual transmission.

1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2.

1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2.

This is another car that never stood a chance. The 2 + 2 name originated in 1964 as an option package for the Catalina. The car was viewed as the "GTO's big brother" offering similar levels of performance in the full-size body thanks to the mighty 421 CID V8 that wasn't available in the GTO.

With the success of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS in the 1980s, Pontiac revived the 2 + 2 name as a way to qualify the Grand Prix body for use in NASCAR. A production version of the NASCAR racer in limited numbers is usually a recipe for success. But only 1,225 were produced for the 1986 model year.

The General Motors' typical "one-step-forward-two-steps-back" approach to engineering caused a couple of problems. The Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe was fitted with the RPO L67 305 CID V8 that made 180 hp. The Grand Prix 2 + 2 was only available with the RPO LG4 305 CID V8 that only made 165 hp. Performance was lethargic at best. On top of that, the Grand Prix 2 + 2 cost roughly $2,000 more than the Monte Carlo SS. Customers didn't like paying more for less, and the sales figures reflected this.

This row finished with more cars I have a hard time viewing as "antiques."

The mission of the AACA has always been about the preservation of antique cars that are either authentically restored or unmolested originals. In 2000, the AACA added the Driver Participation Class (DPC) as a way to recognize the fact that an automobile was meant to be driven. As such, this class falls under the category of Certification Classes, and vehicles therein are not point-judged like the numbered classes. Each DPC vehicle is evaluated according to a set of guidelines that allows for certain modifications/upgrades in the name of being driven.

The overall appearance of the vehicle must remain as it was when it was manufactured. But non-authentic upgrades are allowed in the name of driveability. Vehicles in the DPC class often feature different wheels and tires, brake upgrades, air conditioning when not originally equipped, entertainment systems, modified exhaust systems, etc.

The first row of Driver Participation Class (DPC) cars.

1961 Ford Falcon coupe.

The Ford Falcon was introduced in 1960 as a compact car that was smaller in size, less expensive, and offered a lower cost of ownership in a wide variety of body styles. The public responded by buying 1,720,318 Falcons during the model's first generation production run from 1960 - 63.

1966 Pontiac GTO convertible.

This car is 1 of 12,798 GTO convertibles made that year.

1965 Chevy Corvair Monza convertible.

A convertible was available in the Corvair Monza and Corsa lines for 1965. This Monza convertible is one of 26,466 made that year.

Power comes from a rear mounted 164 CID flat-6.

1972 Volkswagen Beetle.

1972 Volkswagen Beetle.

1973 Citroen SM.

This is a rare car in the States with only 2,400 being imported from France during the 1973 and 1974 model years.

The SM was known for a host of technical innovations including variable assist power steering and hydraulic suspension. The 3.0L DOHC V6 was designed by Maserati and made 190 hp.

Even though I've never been a big fan of it, the SM has received quite a bit of praise for its design. Motor Trend magazine awarded the SM "Car of the Year" in 1972. The car's image got a big boost when Burt Reynolds drove one in the 1974 film "The Longest Yard."

1953 Ford Crestline Victoria.

1953 Ford Crestline Victoria.

The Crestline was the top trim level of the 1953 Ford line, (ahead of the entry-level Mainline and mid-level Customline). The name "Victoria" referred to the car's two-door hardtop coupe body style. This was a popular car with 128,302 produced in 1953.

Ford used the name "Victoria" for its two-door hardtop coupe.

Another row of Driver Participation Class (DPC) cars.

1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass.

This is yet another car I have a hard time believing is an "antique." I owned a 1985 Olds 442 and remember it very well.

1940 Graham Standard, Model 108.

1940 Graham Standard, Model 108.

Brothers Joseph, Robert, and Ray Graham made the jump from glass manufacturing to the automobile business in 1919 when they began building kits for Ford Model T trucks. The brothers were soon building trucks of their own under the Graham Brothers name that used Dodge engines and were sold at Dodge dealers. Dodge eventually bought the Graham Brothers company in 1925.

In 1927, the Graham brothers purchased the Paige-Detroit Motor Company and began building their own cars under the Graham-Paige name. The name was shortened to Graham for 1931.

After initial success, Graham fell victim to the effects of the Great Depression. A decade of declining sales signaled the end of automobile production in September 1940.

"Homer" was sitting in the back seat enjoying the show.

The car owner referred to Homer as "the original owner."

The car's styling where the fenders, lights, and grill all appeared to be moving forward was quite revolutionary in its day.

The Graham supercharger was introduced for the 1934 model year.

Initially offered only on the 8-cylinder models, the supercharger was adapted to the 6-cylinder engines after the eights were phased out in 1935.

The supercharger proved to be a reliable unit. Graham eventually sold more supercharged cars than any other manufacturer until the modern era.

The Graham supercharger was designed in-house by Floyd F. Kishline.

1950 Willys Overland Jeep Station Wagon.

1950 Willys Overland Jeep Station Wagon.

The information displayed with the car shows how much emphasis was placed on the "Driver" aspect of the DPC class. The current owners purchased this car in 1976 and embarked on a 2 1/2 year restoration. After restoring it again in 2000, this car hit the open road. According to the sign, this Jeep has seen 37 states. Since 2013, more than 18,000 miles have been added to the odometer.