Jul 7, 2016
Two prominent automobile clubs will be visiting Genesee County starting this weekend, bringing classic Chevrolets and Fords to Batavia on week-long treks through Western New York.
The 1965-66 Full-Size Chevrolet Club will use Batavia as a base of operations from Sunday to July 15, while at the same time The Early Ford V-8 Club of America will embark on a five-day driving tour that will be bookended by celebrations in Batavia.
Together, the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce anticipates more than 200 people will be visiting the area through their shared love of classic designs and the open road.
The 2016 International Meet for the 1965-66 Full-Size Chevrolet Club will take place at the Quality Inn. The group, founded in 1983 with more than 100 members, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1966 Impala.
Together they have successfully working with manufacturers to make hard-to-find parts available again and assist in the restoration of the vehicles.
While in Batavia, the group will tour Oliver’s Candies, Kutters Cheese and the JELL-O Museum. The club will also have a show day at Ken Barrett Chevrolet on July 13, in addition to cruising to Letchworth State Park; touring the Chevy plant in Tonawanda; visiting the Carousel Museum; getting an exclusive tour of the Pierce Arrow Museum; and visiting the Erie Basin & Waterfront Naval Park.
They have even cross paths with the Early Ford V-8 Club of America’s Western New York Regional Group No. 3, who are marking their own 50th anniversary with a National Driving Tour around the Finger Lakes.
The Rochester-based club, which has 85 active members, celebrates all Ford products produced in the era of Flathead Fords — 1932 to 1953 — and is the second-oldest regional group in the world.
On Sunday the group will be hosting an opening party at the Quality Inn before departing the following morning for a tour of Olean, Corning, Binghamton and Liverpool. The group will return to Batavia July 15 for a farewell dinner.
http://www.thedailynewsonline.com/bdn01/classic-car-lovers-coming-to-batavia-next-week-20160707
