Updated April 2023
Arkansans love their classic cars. This passion is fueled by a nostalgia for simpler times and the post-war boom when Sunday drives were the norm and family time was a given. There may also be a yearning for the carefree all-American lifestyle personified by hot rods and drag races. Some might consider this passion a celebration of the days when a car owner could really get their hands dirty, tinkering with the machine under the hood. Arkansas’s love for classic cars is here to stay.
To celebrate this love of classic cars, we’ve collected ways for you to celebrate your passion, as well as the local shows and events you can attend to scratch that auto-itch.
Find Your Perfect Arkansas Car Group
Vintage car enthusiasts often spend a lot of time and money on lovingly restoring their “babies,” traveling to car shows, and networking with other classic car owners. According to Classic Car Community, there are dozens of car groups in Arkansas. Some of these groups include promoters of a particular make or style, such as the Classic Chevy Club of North Arkansas, headquartered in Mountain Home, or KROZ, Kustom Rods of the Ozarks. Others are more generalized, open to all classic car owners or enthusiasts in a particular region, or open to the owner of any vintage car that has had a certain number of customizations or modifications.
Resources for Arkansas Car Shows
This public Facebook group for vintage car lovers does an impressive job keeping up with the sundry classic car shows, auctions, and events in the Natural State. We’ve selected a few to share below, but keep an eye on that group to find the right shows and events for you.
A Few Natural State Car Show Picks
2nd Annual Turpentine Creek Mopar Classic (Eureka Springs)
September 22-23
The Turpentine Creek Mopar Classic supports a great cause, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge—a non-profit helping abused “big cats.”
The Hot Springs Cruisers Car Club (Hot Springs)
May 6
Annually held for nearly thirty years, the Hot Spring Cruisers Car Club show features makes and models from the 1940s through the 1970s.
Cruising the Ozarks (Several Locations)
Cruising the Ozarks hosts multiple events throughout the year, including a main event every September at the Washington County Fairgrounds.
48th Annual Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run (Mena)
August 25-27
The vintage hot rod show, Queen Wilhelmina Rod Run, is a two-day party that features over 200 vintage hot rods and a street dance all in the background of a quaint little town in the Arkansas mountains.
65th Annual Petit Jean Show (Morrilton)
June 14
The historic Petit Jean show not only features cars on display to admire, but hundreds of collectible cars for sale, vendors selling parts and accessories, and over 60 arts/crafts and flea marketplaces.
Need to Insure Your Antique Car?
You’ve invested time, money, and effort into restoring and maintaining your antique cars. Fully protect this investment! Talk to a Farm Bureau Insurance agent in Arkansas today about antique car insurance.