Sunday in Shawano.

We arrived in Shawano on a Saturday night. Next to the road, tied to a lamp post we spotted a sign: "The 1st Shawano Classic and Custom Car Show. Sunday 9th September." So, as is the way we operate, that was the next day's event sorted.

I found another poster at a car spares shop where I'd walked to get some oil in the morning. So that was the where and when sorted.

How to get there was sorted when a delightful 75 year old gentleman called Glen, on a 1200cc Honda Goldwing motorcycle, stopped next to the the RV to see if he could help us; I had the bonnet up and was checking the oil.

After donating some rags to wipe the oil off my hands, he led the way on his motorcycle and we followed to the County Park by the lake.

Shawano isn't a big town by American standards, but the number and quality of cars that turned up at this bucolic setting was extraordinary. Despite being a very low key gathering, people drove from miles away to make the event a success.

We were told only three of these Willys Knights are left.

There was a tremendous range of cars, from rusting restoration projects to fully and beautifully restored classics, dating as far back as the twenty and thirties.

There's always been different schools of thought regarding the treatment of classic cars. Some espouse absolutely authentic restorations, others like changing the shape to suite different fashions, or some just tinker with the colour schemes.

Slightly modified.

Personally I take a delight in them all. The love and care that's gone in to the creation of these beautiful cars is evident in every one, even if the result is sometimes down to how much money is in the bank.

Immaculate and original.

Some of these cars are symbols of lost youth, the cars courting couples remember with affection. Others evoke memories of childhood; riding in the rumble seat with mom and pa inside up front.

The courting car.

A middle aged couple told us:

"This is the car we went around in when we first met. We bought it off an eighty five year old gentleman last year, and just had a little cosmetic work done and a paint job. Only two owners from new, and only eighty seven thousand on the clock. We use it every day when it's not raining."

Glen told us he was from a large family:

"We used to meet my Pa when he finished work, and there were twelve of us children. He had a car just like this one. If you didn't manage to squeeze in somewhere, then you were the one that had to walk home…"

This little meet in a small town in Wisconsin is living proof that America's love affair with the V8 engine and the motor car is alive and kicking.

Blown, with nitrous oxide, who cares about mpg?

Dare to be different. A straight six!

Oil prices may be skyrocketing, fuel and economy may now be the watchwords, but I reckon there'll always be an undying affection for the thirsty V8 automobile, deep in the American soul.

An ad hoc line up in Showano.

 Looking at these wonderful cars, both Diane and I can understand why.