Submitted by Deborah Shapiro, MCHS Car Show Committee
(September 1, 2022) —All eyes at the Middlesex County Historical Society’s 36th Annual Antique Car Show and Flea Market will gravitate to this year’s featured car, a 1958 Ford Fairlane Skyliner Retractable.
It will motor to the show, located at Palmer Field adjacent to Washington Street, Route 66 in Middletown, on Sunday, October 2, 2022. The show runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Car registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and judging starts at 11:30 a.m., with trophies awarded to the top vehicles at 2:00 p.m. General admission is $3.00, children 12 and under are free. Car registration is $10.00. Although cars registered for judging must be dated 1997 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 Sunday, October 9, 2022.
Ford built retractable convertibles in the Fairlane line from 1957 – 1959, selling between 14,000 and 15,000 in 1958, making our featured car, owned by Betty Pear, a rare gem. She and her late husband, Joel Pear, set their sights on owning one and purchased this car, which they named “Betty Boop,” in 1994. The Skyliner top uses 7 reversible electric motors, 4 lift jacks, a series of relays, 10 limit switches, 10 solenoids, 4 locking mechanisms for the roof and two locking mechanisms for the trunk lid and 610 feet of wiring to produce a thrilling ride. It has won numerous awards at shows all along the East Coast.
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.
