Monster trucks and muscle cars entertain at Kilbeggan

The Midland American Auto Club All-American Car Truck and Bike Show is a big draw every year, and attracts visitors from across the country. This year the organisers welcomed one from New Hampshire who is touring Europe in a American schoolbus converted as a mobile home, to further add to the American feel at the show.

The club showgrounds, opposite Kilbeggan Racecourse, were blessed with the weather for show, Sunday April 27, as after a wet start to the week the sun came out for the big day.

The ground shook to the sound of V8 engines, especially from the huge monster truck that was giving rides all day to an appreciative public, as well as the big rig semi trucks and large pickups, and the Chevrolet, Ford, Pontiac, Dodge and Plymouth muscle cars.

More American vans were in attendance this year, as well as classic 1920s and 1930 Buicks and Chevrolet and Cadillac convertibles which whispered silently along the showground roads to their parking spots.

The show is the biggest, and only, gathering of American vehicles in Ireland, and there were many other American vehicles not seen before, indicating that they are gaining popularity in Ireland.

Regular favourites were back too, particularly the three American fire engines showing off their ladders, hoses, sirens and lights.

TV theme cars made a strong appearance; Dukes of Hazzard General Lee 1969 Dodge Chargers, a 1982 Pontiac Trans Am KITT car from the Knight Rider series, a Jeep Wrangler from the McGyver series, red and white 1974 Ford Torinos from Starsky and Hutch, and De Loreans from the Back to the Future film series.

A vintage 1969 Cadillac Eldorado two-door coupe, reportedly purchased by Elvis Presley and gifted to an assistant, made an appearance and was surrounded by people asking questions all day.

The drawing classes for kids with a professional art teacher to bring out their creative side to draw an American vehicle had busy tables as kids were occupied while their parents took time to look round the exhibits. Two lucky kids got prizes to take home.

The outdoor and indoor autojumbles were popular as people searched for Americana, tools or clothing, and restorers sought elusive parts to continue their projects.

There was a selection of food and coffee trucks to cater to most tastes from the organic beef burgers to corn dogs to cakes and sweets and ice creams, and gourmet coffee of course.

To create the perfect American atmosphere, ’70s American rock was played over the loudspeakers around the main exhibition hall, including tunes people hadn’t heard for a long time, or even at all.

The organising team thanked everyone who came on the day, the exhibitors for bringing their American vehicles to display and the vendors who supported the show, and the hard working members of the Midland American Auto Club, who made sure things ran well during the day.

About Midland American Auto Club

Club contacts: Joe Keenan, chairman, 087 238 8400; Noel Dillon, secretary, 087 226 7070; and Nick Stratta, PRO 085 828 9922.

The Midland American Auto Club (MAAC) is a large group of American car and truck enthusiasts who share a passion for owning, restoring and maintaining American vehicles.

Based in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, Ireland (opposite the Kilbeggan Race Course), the club meets every Thursday 7.30-10pm in the summer and every other week in the winter. All are welcome, members and non-members.

See facebook.com/midland.american.auto.club, Instagram, TikTok.