2010 Iola Old Car Show Theme

"Sensational Sixties"

by Phil Hall - Wisconsin Society of Auto Historians (WSAH)

A swing back to the “Sensational Sixties” will be the theme of the July 8-11, 2010 Iola Old Car show.

The decade of everything from domestic compacts to pony and muscle cars will provide a rich variety of vehicles to be rounded

up for the feature display area that is populated this year by Independents and Imports.

Cars and trucks of domestic and import origin are being sought for the theme tent and surrounding areas.  As in the

past, only unmodified production vehicles will be accepted.

Nearby is a large display area for modified vehicles, which are always welcome.

Many facets of the 1960s, which started 50 years prior to the 2010 Iola Old Car Show, ran all over the automotive landscape.

The 1960 model year saw the introduction of the Big Three Compacts:  Chevrolet Corvair, Chrysler Corporation’s Valiant, the

Ford Falcon and Comet from Ford Motor Company.  They joined offerings from American Motors and Studebaker.  More

would follow.

After a time off for contemplation, performance cars returned from the Big Three, leading to muscle cars with bigger engines

in intermediate bodies.  The 1964 introduction of the Ford Mustang and Plymouth Barracuda opened the pony car era,

which begot competition and ran through the decade.

Personal luxury cars started with the 1958 Ford Thunderbird and starting with the 1963 Buick Riviera, picked up momentum in

both the high priced end (Cadillac Eldorado, Lincoln Continental Mark III) and mid-priced (1969 Pontiac Grand Prix).

Imports did not fade away when the new domestic compacts appeared and led by the Volkswagen Beetle and later Toyota

and Datsun from Japan, gradually got to about 10 per cent of the new car market.

Trucks started a transition from just work vehicles to personal transportation, helped by the car-based Chevrolet El Camino

and Ford Ranchero.  Later in the decade, small Japanese pickups also helped attract recreation-oriented buyers.

Specialty cars also took hold of a small corner of the market.  Chevrolet’s Corvette didn’t get direct competition from the

Studebaker Avanti and assembled cars like the Excalibur, but in all, the niche market was being expanded.

Every year the Iola Old Car Show searches for examples to illustrate the next year’s theme for its poster and other promotional

items.  Cars in stock condition with only period accessories are being sought.  Send a photo to the show office.  Entries will

be accepted and decided upon by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Society of Automotive Historians.

It is not too early to consider entering a vehicle that meets the theme, is completely stock with only period accessories. 

Send a photo to the show office and information on your vehicle. 

Entries will be accepted by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Society of Automotive Historians.

If you have a vehicle from the Sensational Sixties that you think would quality, send us a photo of your “60's Car” to:

Iola Old Car Show, P.O. Box 1, Iola, WI 54545, (715) 445-4000 or e-mail information@iolaoldcarshow.com

Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like your photo returned.

For additional information regarding the WSAH Ken Nimocks can be e-mailed at knimocks@netnet.net