Source: Ford Performance
Enthusiasts from all across the Midwest have found a fan favorite with the Gilmore Car Museum, located between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek in western Michigan, just south of Grand Rapids. While we often visit to cover some of the many events the museum hosts each year, one of the largest that takes place on the museum’s historic 90-acre campus is the Red Barns Spectacular, a big car show and swap meet held every August.
Our roving photographer, Ford Marketing retiree and Ford Performance enthusiast Bill Cook drove out from the Detroit area to attend the 2023 edition of the Red Barns Spectacular Show at the Gilmore, and offered this report:Blue Shelby Mustang at show
“On a sunny Saturday I hit the road at 6 a.m. headed to western Michigan for the annual Red Barns Spectacular show at the Gilmore Car Museum. The event started in 1981 and is for vehicles at least 25 years old. I arrived at 8:30 and stayed until 3 p.m. Upon arrival, I toured the current featured exhibit in the Museum’s main hall (Supercars), then went outside to check out all the show vehicles. I did not visit any of the many other buildings at the Gilmore on this trip because I spent all my time looking at the 1,000-plus vehicles that had attended this show.
“The museum complex is one of the finest in the U.S. — you will love it! The Gilmore Car Museum is open year-round and holds regular events. It’s dubbed North America’s Largest Auto Museum, with more than 400 vehicles on display and over 190,000 square feet of combined exhibit space. The museum’s sprawling countryside campus features numerous vintage red barns and other structures, including a restored and fully-functioning 1941 Silk City Diner, a recreated 1930’s Shell Station, six on-site Partner Museums, and much more. (I recommend visiting the Museum when there are no major shows taking place, as the museum buildings themselves make up a full day’s experience.) But from among the many great shows held here each year, the Red Barns Spectacular is one of my favorites. Enjoy the pictures in my gallery below:”
