Ever since I was a child visiting my grandmother in Ormond Beach, I’ve enjoyed seeing the local antique car shows at Thanksgiving. This is a tradition that I’ve continued with my sons as they’ve grown up.

My favorite venue for browsing is the Birthplace of Speed Antique Car Show in Ormond Beach, which I find to be a much more intimate setting than the large-scale Turkey Run event held at the Daytona International Speedway. There’s always a top-notch collection of vintage cars on display, including the staple Model-T Fords, stately Packard, beefy Pontiacs, a tail-fin Plymouth Belvedere, a unique British Austin or Triumph, and even a Stanley Steamer; their owners are more than willing to regale you with their stories about their cars!

Before long, however, I always seek out my personal favorite – the Chevrolet Corvette. For me, this iconic car is THE American Classic Car and there were several prime specimens on display again this year. The Corvette has stood the test of time because it:

• looks powerful and sleek, even when standing still;
• is instantly recognizable, though it has evolved and improved technically through multiple generations;
• becomes more valuable over time, if meticulously maintained;
• offers reliability and remarkably high performance at a reasonable price (relative to its super-car competition);
• stimulates conversation and creates excitement;
• respects its heritage and the Brand Promise.

As I admired a brilliant red 1966 Corvette convertible in mint condition, I realized that it’s approaching fifty years of age and therefore qualifies as truly classic, yet this specimen is still young at heart. The Corvette captures the essence of what An American Classic Business should aspire to be, if it wants to endure in this age of rapid change and fleeting fashion.  When done extremely well, what’s “Classic” has timeless value and becomes “what’s trending now”!