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MCHS’ 39th Annual Antique Car Show & Flea Market: Sunday, October 5, 2025 (rain date: Sunday, October 12, 2025)All eyes at the Middlesex County Historical Society’s 39th Annual Antique Car Show and Flea Market will gravitate to this year’s featured car, a 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint. It will motor to the show located at PALMER FIELD, adjacent to Washington Street, Route 66, in Middletown, CT, on Sunday, October 5.
Car registration begins at 9:30 am and judging starts at 11:30 am, with trophies awarded to the top vehicles at 1:30 pm.
General admission is $3.00 and children 12 and under are free.
Car registration is $10.00.
Although cars registered for judging must be dated 2000 or older, there is no cut-off date for cars being placed in the car corral. In case of rain, the show will be held Sunday, October 12.
The Falcon Sprint convertible was ordered new in 1963 and has been lovingly cared for by its owner, Gary Nenninger, for 62 years and in his words “is part of my family and my life. It is nice to know that my youth is just outside the family room door in my ‘Ford Country Garage.’ ” Gary would not settle for anything less than a triple black convertible with the following options: a 4-speed manual transmission, AM radio, heater, tinted glass all around, 2 speed electric wipers, windshield washer, backup lights, white wall tires, and front seat belts. Today the Falcon has a little more than 30,000 original miles, with the majority of them, about 24,000, being put on in the first two years. The Raven Black Paint, black pleated vinyl interior, vinyl 3-ply top and plastic rear window are factory original. Mechanically the engine, transmission, clutch and pressure plate are still the originals.
In the early 60s, Gary raced the Falcon at the Connecticut Dragway (top speed, 93.1 MPH), and in 1965, it was his wedding limo and honeymoon ride. He has shown it at various auto shows as far west as Kansas City, winning many First Place and Best of Show awards, including the Middlesex County Historical Society William E. Sheedy Sr. Award in 1997. Since his wife, Kathy, passed away in 2017, he has not shown the Falcon as often, but he is very gratified to have it featured in this year’s show.
The car show was founded 40 years ago (it was not held in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic) by longtime Society supporter and past president, Bernie Prue, and kept humming by an intrepid group of volunteers. This year’s committee consists of Rich Bergan, Chairman; Jerry Augustine; Pete Bozzo; Mark Olerud; Jack Pieper; Larry Riley; and Debby Shapiro.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Palmer Field (adjacent to Washington Street, Middletown, CT), United States
