Antique Cars on View this August 2023
Interested in cars? The Quad Cities has six great opportunities to view automobiles both antique, brand-new, and speedy during the month of August.
Heartland British Autofest
The 2023 Quad City British Auto Club’s Heartland British Autofest takes over the scenic riverfront in LeClaire, Iowa. The annual car show takes place on Saturday, August 5, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., when trophies will be awarded. “Longest Distance” and Top Twenty” plaques will be handed out, and the first 50 entrants will receive a dash plaque. The car show on the levee displays some of the area’s best examples of British cars from makers such as Jaguar, MG, Mini, Triumph, etc. DJ Greg Zirbes will be providing 50’s and 60’s rock and roll music and announcing door prizes. The car show is free for viewing. For more information, click here.
Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Grand Nationals
Close to 200 antique vehicles from all over the U.S. and Canada will descend on the Isle Casino Hotel and Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf, IA, on August 11-12.. Sponsored by the Mississippi Valley Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), this event is the 2023 Grand Nationals and Zenith Awards.
Throughout the year, different regions of the AACA hold several meets where members’ antique cars are judged on the quality of their restorations. A high-quality restoration can win a Junior award the first time and a Senior award subsequently. Once the Senior level has been achieved, a car is eligible to compete at the Grand National which only happens once a year. These vehicles will be on display for the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, August 12.
At each of the AACA meets in a year, two outstanding vehicles are recommended for the Zenith Award, and it is awarded to the best of the best. Competition for this top award will happen on Friday, August 11 with awards given at 4 p.m.
There is only one annual national meet by the Antique Automobile Club of America for these two competitions and the Quad Cities was chosen as the host for 2023. It not only showcases the history of the automobile from the 1900s to 1998, but also shows the workmanship that goes into preserving and restoring these vehicular examples to their former glory.
The public is welcome to view this history lesson on wheels. For more information, please visit the Mississippi Valley Region website or call 563-340-3266. Learn more about the AACA here.
Vettes on the River
Vettes on the River is an all-Corvette Show & Shine Car Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Saturday, August 26, 2023, on the LeClaire Levee. Corvettes come from all over the country to gather by the Mississippi River in LeClaire, Iowa, and show off their pride and joy, all while supporting Quad Cities Vietnam Veterans Chapters 776, 669 & 299. The show is free for the public, and spectators are welcome. Click here to learn more.
World Series of Drag Racing
The annual World Series of Drag Racing, presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts, is to be held August 24-27, 2023, at the Cordova Dragway. Cordova Dragway is the world’s longest continually running drag racing event. Located in the Quad Cities, the 190-acre facility features a 1/4-mile drag racing strip that is one of the oldest in the country. Cordova Dragway is the home to oldest drag racing event in America. The World Series of Drag Racing has been entertaining fans for nearly 70 years. For race details, click here.
World of Outlaws
The My Place Hotels Quad Cities 150 is set to boast a $214,000 purse for the World of Outlaws on August 24-26! The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models return to Davenport Speedway for another three-night tour on the banks of the Mississippi River. Saturday’s finale will pay $30,000-to-win. Accompanying the World of Outlaws again this year are the Xtreme Outlaw Midgets with Practice on Thursday, followed by full $4K-to-win show on Friday and $5K-to-win show on Saturday.
2PM Pit Gates open
5PM Grandstand Gates open
6:30PM Hot Laps/Qualifying, and Racing to Follow
Boss Nationals 2023
The Quad Cities hosts the national gathering for Ford’s top high-performance Boss Mustang and Cougar cars on August 24-26, indoors at the Bend XPO in East Moline. Two friends, Finley Ledbetter and Rick Ybarra, founded the Boss Nationals show in 2016. Since then, Ford car enthusiasts have gathered bi-annually to celebrate these legendary vehicles past and present. The public is invited to view the almost 100 high performance cars with free admission from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. each day. There will be multiple judged car classes and a swap meet. The awards ceremony takes place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 26. This event is about preserving the history of these 1969-1971 high-performance, first-generation Mustangs and Cougars and the 2012 and 2013 Boss Mustangs following in the tradition 40 years later. There will also be an outdoor, non-judged display at Bend XPO showcasing 1961-1973 Ford and Mercury high-performance cars in non-judged outdoor display. They are spotlighting 427 SOHC Cammer-powered Ford and Mercurys.