Thursday, April 11, 2019

The All Mopar Show


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!

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

No comments:

Post a Comment