For car owners and aficionados alike, the 43rd annual Daytona Turkey Run was the place to be this past weekend. The car show is the “largest combined car show and swap meet in the United States,” according to its website. Held at Daytona's International Speedway on Nov. 24-27, the 2.5-mile stretch was covered with cars, parts, vendors, and even a play area for kids.
People flocked from all over the U.S. to admire cars and bring their classic, muscle, and race cars and trucks to show off. More than 6,500 automobiles made their debut over the four-day run, and 2,500 were registered on the swap lot – a place where owners go in hopes of trading ideas, parts, and even entire cars.
More than 100,000 attendees roamed the grounds of the speedway, "just looking" at unique and priceless cars, while others decided if the price was right and took home a brand new ride.
Julian Cantillo holds his grandson, Alexander Isidro, to see inside the back trunk of “Dot’s Car.” Cantillo said he’s been to about eight shows and hopes to share the tradition with his grandson. (Elena Castello/WUFT News)
Jerry Cravens, owner of the ’51 Chevrolet, said he’s a huge fan of the Turkey Run Car Show. Originally from Indiana, Cravens has made the drive to the event many times during the past 15 years. (Elena Castello/WUFT News)
Since 1974, the Turkey Run in Daytona Beach has been the largest combined car show and car swap in the U.S. More than 6,500 cars are put on display, and 2,500 are available to swap. (Elena Castello/WUFT News)
With a variety of vintage, muscle, classic, and race cars and trucks, the Turkey Run offered something for everyone. The show was not limited to just pristine vehicles and featured more eclectic projects like this one. (Elena Castello/WUFT News)
Allen Peterson, 40, said he paid $500 for his red Chevrolet Chevelle back in high school in 1991. He said he put in a lot of work with his stepdad to fix all the mechanics of his prized, first car. He has been bringing it to shows since he was 15 years old. (Elena Castello/WUFT News)
Car show attendees had the option of buying spare parts, like wheels, nuts and bolts, different engine parts, and other accessories for their cars. With a little bit of negotiation, buyers can make all the repairs necessary to fix up their new cars. (Elena Castello/WUFT News)
Danny Bachhofer’s 1935 Plymouth, Casper, is a new car to this show. He said he’s only owned it for six months, but he’s been to more than 200 shows in his life. “I like the attention,” he said of owning his car. (Elena Castello/WUFT News)
Dan Greco, 60, has been buying and selling Miatas like this one at shows for 25 years. His Mazda Miata from 1993 is a first generation, identifiable by its flip-up headlights, Greco said. “I’ve always done cars all my life,” he said, “I just love doing it.” (Elena Castello/WUFT News)