Submitted by Deborah Shapiro
(September 5, 2025) — All eyes at the Middlesex County Historical Society’s 39th Annual Antique Car Show and Flea Market will gravitate to this year’s featured car, a 1963 Ford Motor Company Falcon Sprint. It will motor to the show, located at Palmer Field adjacent to Washington Street (Route 66) in Middletown, on Sunday, October 5, 2025. Car registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and judging starts at 11:30 a.m. with trophies awarded to the top vehicles at 1:30 p.m. General admission is $3.00 and children 12 and under are free. Car registration is $10.00. Although cars registered for judging must be dated 2000 or older, there is no cut-off date for cars being placed in the car corral. In case of rain, the show will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
The Falcon Sprint convertible (photo right) was ordered new in 1963 and has been lovingly cared for by its owner, Gary Nenninger, for sixty-two years. In his words, the car “is part of my family and my life.” Gary would not settle for anything less than a triple black convertible with the following options: a four-speed manual transmission, AM radio, heater, tinted glass all around, two-speed electric wipers, windshield washer, backup lights, white wall tires, and front seat belts. Driven only 30,000 miles, with the majority of them (24,000) covered in the first two years, the Falcon still sports its original Raven Black paint, black pleated vinyl interior, vinyl three-ply top and plastic rear window. The engine, transmission, clutch and pressure plate are likewise original.
In the early 1960’s Gary raced the Falcon at Connecticut Dragway (top speed, 93.1 MPH), and in 1965 the car served as his wedding limo and honeymoon ride. Shown as far west as Kansas City, the car has collected many First Place and Best in Show awards, including the Middlesex County Historical Society William E. Sheedy Sr. Award in 1997. Since Gary lost his wife, Kathy, in 2017, he has not shown the Falcon as often, but he is thrilled to have it featured in this year’s show.
Trophies, hand-made by the committee, will be awarded to the top vehicles. Flea market spaces are $15.00 and the market opens at 7:00 a.m. For more information, call Deborah Shapiro at 860-344-0033. Rain cancellation information will be available at 860-346-0746.
Photo provided by Middlesex County Historical Society
