The Downtown Arlington Management Corporaton is producing
the “Downtown Arlington Classic Car Show, Presented by Chevrolet,” a free outdoor car show developed
to engage the community, support and uplift local businesses, and celebrate the 70th anniversary of the
Corvete.
The Downtown Arlington Classic Car Show, Presented by Chevrolet will be held in the Vandergriff Town
Center Plaza, located at 200 N. Mesquite Street, on Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. In additon to over 150 classic and antique cars, ranging from the early 1920s to the late 1970s, the
event will also feature food trucks from a variety of local downtown businesses with live music provided
by the Arlington Music Hall.
This Downtown Arlington Classic Car Show was made possible through the support of presenting
sponsor Chevrolet. As part of their sponsorship, Chevrolet will showcase eight of their newest vehicles in
a special dedicated area where patrons are welcome to check out these latest models.
“The General Motors Assembly Plant has called Arlington its home for almost 70 years, producing
thousands of Chevrolet vehicles each year,” said Tom Read, Communications Manager for General
Motors Arlington Assembly. “We have had the pleasure of seeing all the great developments happening
in Downtown Arlington, so when the opportunity arose to become part of that upward momentum, we
couldn’t say no.”
The relationship between Chevrolet and Downtown Arlington dates back almost 100 years to 1928 when
Thannisch Chevrolet, a full-service car dealership, chose the building, known today as the Vandergriff
Building, as its home. Most Arlington historians remember this building, known fondly as The Historic V,
as the heart of the city where one could visit, grab a seat by the window, and wave to Franklin Roosevelt,
Harry Truman, and Sam Rayburn as their motorcades came to Arlington on Division St., formerly referred
to as the “Bankhead Highway.”
Due to the overall interest in Arlington reaching an all-time high – thanks in no small part to the success
of entertainment institutions such as the Arlington Downs horse-racing track – T.W “Hooker” Vandergriff
sought to bring his first GM dealership to Arlington. Vandergriff purchased Thannisch Chevrolet in 1938
and renamed the building the Thannisch-Vandergriff Building. His son, Tom Vandergriff, would later
become Mayor of Arlington.
“This event, along with our partnership with Chevrolet, preserves the history of our downtown in a fun,
engaging, and memorable fashion and serves as a reminder of Arlington’s cultural roots,” said Maggie
Campbell, President and CEO of Downtown Arlington.
Downtown Arlington previously organized a car show in 2021 as part of the Ramblin’ Roads Music
Festival, a music festival spanning across an entire weekend in October designed to reignite the economy
after the COVID-19 outbreak. After the success of the previous car show, Downtown Arlington decided to
revamp the event this year and expand the show by doubling the number of cars, including more ways
for downtown businesses to get involved, and creatng opportunities for families and friends to connect
with the city.
All brands of antique and classic vehicles prior to 1978 are welcome, however, any vehicle with
modifications will not be considered for entry into the show, except for basic cosmetic changes and new
parts to keep the car running. Classic car owners are encouraged to arrive as early as possible, beginning
at 8:00 a.m. with vehicle check-in officially closing at 11:00 a.m. Registration is officially open as of May
2, 2023; visit downtownarlington.org to register your classic and antique cars today.
