History

Gather a few gearheads around the lunch table in the beautiful Western North Carolina mountain town of Highlands talking their favorite subject – cars and like the areas many attractive waterfalls a car show seemed a natural for this community. Thus, in the Fall of 2008 the Highlands Motoring Festival was born. This vintage car show attracted over 100 entries to the inaugural event representing cars from every decade between 1910 and the 1970s. Taking “Best of Show” the first year from Gainesville, Georgia was Jim and Jody Pollan’s 1952 Chevy Belair which Jim bought and customized several years after this Chevy had been seen in the filming of Driving Miss Daisy!

Building upon a successful first year, HMF2,  again attracted an outstanding field of entries and a growing number of spectators. Tim Vos of Scaly Mountain, Georgia took home “Best of Show” for his 1958 Cadillac El Dorado Brougham – one of approximately 300 ever produced. It is rumored that Tim was still putting the finishing touches on his entry at 4:00 a.m. the morning of the show.

Althought the weather did not cooperate nicely as the past two events, there was still a very good showing of both Euro and American cars.  Participants ranged from pre-war to classic Europeans to American muscle.   Returning in 2010 was the Bridgestone Tire F-1 Racing Simulator.  This fun, family oriented event in the quaint community of Highlands, NC and nestled in the surrounding Nantahala National Forest is a must event for the vintage car enthusiast who wants to show or just to browse these great cars from the past.  Enjoy the altitude and cool weather, while you get away from the summer heat.

Come for the day or the weekend – you’ll be glad you did! Public admission is FREE!