Each Memorial Day, a car show is held in the beautiful Crystal Hills neighborhood just south of Athens, Georgia. The show is part of the neighborhood's annual Memorial Day Celebration, an event dedicated to Memorial Day and all that it represents.

The original idea from 2009 was nothing more than a simple get-to-know-your-neighbors gathering for the holiday weekend. But as plans were being put into motion, the idea of a neighborhood gathering transitioned into what is now referred to as the annual Memorial Day Celebration, a large event that features music, activities for kids, and a vintage car show.

I went to the first show in 2009 not knowing at that time that it was the inaugural event. My then-wife and I had moved to Athens earlier in the year and were doing some local sightseeing with her parents who were visiting from Austria. We saw signs for a "Car Show" and decided to check it out, much to the delight of her dad and his camera. I've attended the show several times since then depending on whether or not Mother Nature decides to cooperate.

This is always a great show that never fails to disappoint in terms of the diversity and exceptional quality of machinery present. From the late model daily driver collectibles to the 6-figure Ferraris, this show is a feast for the eyes and camera lens.

This year marks my fifth visit to the Crystal Hills Memorial Day car show since its debut in 2009. The difference for me this year was that I was able to participate in the car show instead of just being a spectator.

The show is billed as "Invitation Only" meaning you can't just show up and park. My guess was that this was done to create an upscale event similar in feel to a Concours show with a lot of specialty cars.

While I consider my 1996 Jaguar XJS convertible to be a nice car, it's not a vintage classic. The early XK and E-Type Jaguars I've seen at this show before fit that bill perfectly. So I always figured that my car was not what what the event organizers had in mind.

That changed during the 2016 show when I spotted my doppelganger, a 1996 XJS convertible nearly identical to mine. I asked my dentist, who gets an invite each year, how I could get invited. "Easy," he said. "When you go this year, ask to be put on the mailing list."

I arrived at the show and headed to the registration desk to ask about being put on the mailing list for next year. One gentleman at the desk, who I didn't realize was one of the show's organizers, asked me if I brought my car, and would I like to show it.

Yes I would !

I told him about seeing my doppelganger at past shows. "Oh yeah, he'll be here today."

I filled out the registration paperwork and found a spot on the lawn with everyone else.

I've kept cleaning supplies in the trunk since I bought the car for this very reason. Thankfully, the car always stays pretty clean.

I lost an emblem ! When did this happen ? I know it was there when I washed the car earlier this spring.

The XJS turned 50k original miles earlier this year. I bought it in 2011 with 31k miles. So I've added 19k wonderful miles over the last 8 years.

And I still love the car as much as I did when I brought it home in September 2011. A ride with the roof down never fails to make me smile.

Time to take a walk through the show.

This show usually attracts at least 100 participants of all genres.

The Oconee County Fire Department had a truck on display.

2016 Porsche Cayman GT4.

This car has that wonderful combination of 385 hp and only 2,955 pounds to move. Zero to 100 mph happens in 9 seconds.

1989 Porsche 911.

I'm not sure what the "doors" reference is, or the exact function of the rope. But you can't beat $6 !

1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre.

The Bentley 4 1/2 Litre was built and sold as a rolling chassis that would have a custom body fitted by the new owner after purchase. I'm not sure what this body is known as other than the "Le Mans style" body.

The car owner mentioned that this car was originally fitted with a sedan body.

1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre.

The famous Bentley wings.

The Bentley 4 1/2 Litre is a very rare car. A total of 720 were produced from 1927 - 1931.

Of the 720 cars produced, 50 were fitted with a supercharger mounted in front of the grill. This car isn't one of those "Blower Bentleys." If it was, it would be worth into the mid 7-figures.

1971 BMW 2800CS.

The BMW E9 "Shark" was produced from 1968 - 1975 and has a tremendous following today. BMW's 2.8L inline 6-cylinder engine that makes 168 hp was used from 1968 - 1971.

This car is a 1971 model which was the changeover year from the 2.8L I6 to the larger 3.0L I6.

1965 Kirkham Cobra replica.

I've seen this car at the Crystal Hills shows before. Previous display signs described this car as having a 427 CID V8 that makes 609 hp.

1965 Kirkham Cobra replica.

1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster.

Jaguar's legendary XK120 was produced from 1948 - 1954. A total of 12,045 were built in three body styles: Open Two-Seat roadster (convertible without roll-up windows), Drophead coupe (convertible with roll-up windows), and Fixed-Head coupe (hardtop coupe).

Of those 12,045 cars, 6,436 were Open Two-Seat roadsters like this car.

A stunning and rare 1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster.

1967 Shelby GT500.

This is a rare car, being 1 of 2,050 made in 1967.

1967 Shelby GT500.

My doppelganger 1996 Jaguar XJS convertible.

I saw this car the last time I attended this show back in 2016. This year, I had a chance to chat with the car owner. This car is nearly identical to mine - same color combination, same wheels, similar mileage. Both of us have owned our cars for similar amounts of time. But the funny thing is that I've never seen this car anywhere except at this show.

1963 Chevy II Nova wagon.

I'm going to call this one "slightly modified."

1950 Ford F1. This is the first generation of Ford's F-Series pickup, which was produced from 1948 - 1952. The F1 designation indicates a half-ton pickup body.

1931 Ford Model A.

This is another car I've seen at this show in the past. It's beautifully restored !

Ford followed its hugely successful Model T with the new Model A for the 1928 model year.

Power comes from Ford's 201 CID inline 4-cylinder that makes 40 hp.

The Model A was available in more that 45 different body configurations. Most of them, (like the tudor, phaeton, roadster, and closed-cap pickup) were made by Ford. Other body styles, (like the cabriolet, sport coupe, open-cab pickup, town car, victoria, and station wagon), were supplied by outside coachbuilders with Murray and Briggs being the most popular. One way to distinguish a Murray body from a Briggs body is to look at the top of the side windows. Murray bodies feature a slight arch whereas Briggs bodies are flat. The slight arch on the windows seen in the photo above identifies this car as a three-window four-door sedan with a Murray body.

1965 Chevrolet Corvette coupe.

According to the display card, restoration of this car was just completed.

Power comes from Chevrolet's RPO L75 327 CID V8 that makes 300 hp.