In 2010, as a part of my senior
project in college, I held a car show called Hot Rides for Heroes, which raised
funds for military and other first responders struggling with Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder. I was serving as
president of the Psychology Club and enlisted the help of my advisor and club
members to throw an impressive show, tallying over seventy participants. It was such an amazing experience and when we
spoke of a second show, we were turned down since I had already graduated. Shortly after graduation (and after failed
stint in the mental health field), I began working at Lansdale Auto Group. The fourth generation of my family to work for
the business. A regular attendee of
other local Mopar exclusive car shows, I would mention to my boss that I’d like
to host my own. Unfortunately, I didn’t
have enough backing to host the show myself.
In 2016, a local Chrysler Club that
had lost the host for their annual show approached us. I jumped at the opportunity, as I would
finally have the extra hands needed to have a car show at Lansdale Chrysler
Dodge Jeep RAM. Luckily, I had the
support of my boss who never takes a short cut when it comes to impressing
people. Our First Annual Show was a
success, with over seventy registered participants. Our Second Annual Show proved to be an even
larger success, nearly doubling in size to 125 participants.
As we reviewed our 2017 Show, the
club that enlisted our help began to hinder us.
They shot down our ideas to better the show, berated my boss for a
billboard advertisement that he designed and funded, and skimmed money off the
proceeds. With a list of people who had already inquired about a 2018 date, I
knew I couldn’t disappoint those who came to love the show just as much as I
did. My boss and I exchanged glances and
an unspoken agreement to continue the All Mopar Shop without an affiliated club.
The Third Annual All Mopar show
proudly hosted by Lansdale Auto Group and Miss Mopar was scheduled for June 24th,
2018 from 9am to 3pm with 100% of the proceeds going to CARing for Kids Driving
Away the Cold. As in years prior, we
compiled a list of raffles including tickets to the newly crowned Super Bowl
Champions, The Philadelphia Eagles and tickets to the Philadelphia Auto Show’s
Black Tie Tailgate. We had custom tee
shirts, and of course- our made to order All Mopar Menu provided by Chef Paul
of Bells Tavern. As the show approached, everything fell perfectly into place.
The online registration was a hit and by the pre-registration deadline, we
already had one hundred cars registered to participate in the show.
Days prior, all of the “I”’s were
dotted, and there was just one major “T” to cross- clearing the lot. Moving three hundred plus cars from the lot
is one of those experiences that sort of sends you into autopilot. With a strong crew of ten plus a chase car,
we made more than thirty trips across Route 309, stacking inventory bumper to
bumper and door to door in our satellite lot.
Once the crew had parked their cars, they would load up into a Chrysler
Pacifica (some on others laps, some in the trunk) and we would head back over
for the next round. As the sun set on
Lansdale Auto Group, we shared some pizza, and headed home, to be back in just a
handful of hours.
The morning of any huge outdoor
event can cause heart palpitations. I
remember praying for clear skies as I opened my eyes (I’d say “praying for
sunshine” but it hadn’t yet risen). When
the sun peaked out, reflecting on the hood of my Charger, I sighed a final sigh
of relief and headed north on Route 309.
I really cannot complain, as my family and friends are amazing and you
would have never noticed that we were down the help of twelve that the club
offered in previous years. Everyone
worked so seamlessly together to set up tents, tables, grilles, etc.
Before we had even set up the
complimentary donuts and coffee, our first participant arrived, and with that it
was as if the floodgates had opened. Mopars were entering from every
direction. There were Old Mopars, New
Mopars, Original Mopars, Modified Mopars, Perfectly Restored Mopars, Project
Car Mopars. There were 4x4 Mopars and
Trailered Mopars, Family-owned Mopars and newly leased Mopars. Any sort of Mopar you could think of was
lining up to come in!
I recall looking up from the
registration table to see a line of participants wrapped around the
building. The rumble of Mopar muscle
echoed through the grotto as the cars made their way to their parking
spots. It was magical. I get the goose bumps just thinking about it. Let us not forget the playing of our National
Anthem as our flag blew in the breeze. Despite the rising summer temperatures…
it was chilling. Our final count registered 202 Mopars.
We had Mopars from all over. One of my favorite stories was Don and his
1970 SuperBird, which he drove from the York, PA area. Just imagine, cruising down the Pennsylvania
Turnpike and seeing a beautiful SuperBird pass you. It makes me smile just to think about it. We also had Grant and his 1970 Chrysler VA
Valiant Pacer, an Australian Mopar powered by a Slant 6. It was the first time I had seen anything
like it. Bill and his 1970 Plymouth Cuda AAR, which was purchased at Lansdale
Auto Group when we were Lansdale Chrysler Plymouth was a deserving recipient of
the Dealers Choice Award. While I didn’t get a chance to speak to everyone, I
was blessed to talk to many of our participants and everyone’s story was
fascinating. It was a true honor to have
them all out for the show.
As the trophies were awarded and
the show wrapped up, I could see the thunderclouds rolling in. Trying to beat the weather, we fired up the
Pacifica and made our first run across 309 and the Sunday traffic. Our lot transformed from show field back to car
dealer, one by one. The sky got darker as we ran around like exhausted little
chickens with our heads cut off, just trying to beat the rain. We did it, and locked our cars in the garage
just as the first drops fell. And then,
as the sinking sun disappeared, the skies opened up and it down poured.
I remember sitting on my couch with
a handful of my family and friends, eating take out and wondering if my legs
would get me up the stairs and into the shower and bed without giving out on
me. My fitbit had clocked nearly 40,000
steps for the day. 40,000 gloriously
successful and truly enjoyable steps. I
had never experienced such giddy exhaustion.
All I wanted to do was talk about how perfect the day was and how many
beautiful Mopars had attended… but I also wanted to sleep for three days.
I woke up the next morning and went
to yoga. For those unfamiliar, there is
a resting pose at the end of class where you lay flat on your back. I laid there, and I could still hear the
musical sound of Mopar big blocks as they pulled up to the registration
table. I was on the “Cloud 9” of exhaust
fumes! I had a sense of pride that I
hadn’t felt at the conclusion of the prior two shows. The success of this show was a product my
hard work, the support of the people who love me the most, and the willingness
of 202 people to spend the day with us at Lansdale Auto Group.
I write this, two months, 11 days,
and 13 hours away from our fourth annual All Mopar Show and my breath hitches a
bit. I am so excited. I feel like a kid,
opening the doors of an advent calendar at Christmastime. I am eternally grateful to those who
participate in our All Mopar Show. I
know there is a plethora of shows to choose from and it truly has become my
honor to host so many beautiful cars.
While I am yet to hear the story behind beach Mopar that attends, each
of those Mopars have certainly become a part of my story.
In 2018, we were able to donate
$3500 to the CARing for Kids Foundation.
That money purchased hundreds of new winter coats for local children in
need. That warms my heart in indescribable
ways!
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| Geoff Haenn, Jay Haenn, and Michaela Brass of Lansdale Auto Group present a check to the CARing For Kids Foundation. |
Our 2019 All Mopar Show proudly
hosted by Lansdale Auto Group and Miss Mopar is scheduled for June 23rd from 9am
to 3pm (registration opens at 8am) at 710 Bethlehem Pike in Montgomeryville. There is a 250 car cap, so register
early. $15 pre-registration or $20 at
the gate. Register online at
AllMoparShow.com. Contact Michaela at
(215) 855-9540x1101 or Michaela@MissMopar.com with questions.
 |
| Visit ALLMOPARSHOW.com |
