Houston Coffee and Cars has become one of the greatest and largest free car shows in the United States over the past few years, and it is not by accident. Many of us, including myself, have become spoiled by the event. We show up each month assuming that a wide variety of amazing machines, worth tens of millions of dollars together, will be there in full force for us to document and admire. We take for granted that we are able to see cars that most will never see in a lifetime, let alone every first Saturday of the month. With thorough planning and impeccable attention to detail, those who assemble the event ensure that a full roster of amazing machines always turne out to wow the crowd month after month. With its continued growth, it became apparent that Coffee and Cars would have to continuously adapt in order to keep the high standards of quality that had come to be expected from the event.
In the weeks leading up to this past month’s Coffee & Cars, big changes began rolling out in an effort to better organize the flow of the cars at the event and also to keep the amount makes and models to a favorable ratio. A new map with designated areas for certain makes and models was created, loosely based upon the sections that we’ve all become familiar with. The map would make it much easier for those looking for a specific car (or group of cars) to find them in Vintage Park’s large lot, and would also prevent one single make or model from overcrowding the lot, forcing other show-worthy cars from having to park away from the crowds.
Change is not always met with open arms, and Coffee & Cars was not immune to criticism from some. Their Facebook page was inundated with comments about how the open nature of Coffee & Cars was being compromised, and that people should be able to park wherever they’d like in whatever numbers they’d like. Quibbles about the parking map arose and people debated their own versions of what the map should be. Some, loudly voicing their displeasure, stated that the would no longer be coming to Coffee & Cars due to the changes, finding elsewhere to show their cars. Overall though the response was a positive one, many sharing the sentiment that whatever needed to be done to keep Coffee & Cars running strong should be done. I commend Coffee & Cars for keeping a strong stance on the new changes, promising a great event for those who were coming, and recommending that those who disagreed with the new changes and regulations should either stay home or find a different venue. Standing up for the new changes, even while facing adversity from some fans is not an easy thing to do, and I believe Coffee & Cars did what was best to keep the quality and integrity of the event.
Shortly after the announcement of the changes, Coffee & Cars began slowly leaking exciting information about cars that would be attending the April event. It began with the announcement that the mighty Ferrari Enzo would be returning, which warrants a great deal of excitement alone. But that was only the start. Regular updates began rolling in, the iconic F40, followed by the F50, 288GTO, the 458GT2 and, incredibly, Michael Shumacher’s F1 Car, the latter of the two presented by Risi Competizione. The icing on the cake was the announcement that not only would a Bugatti Veyron finally be coming to the event, but so would a Saleen S7 (two of the few brought thanks to Crave Luxury Auto), and the infamous 270.49MPH Hennessey Venom GT. Within a short time, it was apparent that this was going to be the best Coffee & Cars yet. By arranging an event of staggeringly high quality, the coordinators and contributors at Coffee & Cars ensured that all those concerned about the event could rest assured that the changes were only bringing on new and great things.
Sure enough, the event did not disappoint. I arrived around 6:20am to watch the cars being unloaded from their trailers, an unreal experience seeing so many cars from your childhood (and adult) dreams slowly beginning to surround you. Even early on, the crowds gathered in thick to catch a glimpse of these one of a kind cars that just simply won’t be seen anywhere else all at once. Supercars from Ferrari’s stable were lined neatly in a row, followed by the greats from Saleen, Lamborghini, McLaren, and Bugatti. There was almost too much to take in!
Overall the event was an enormous success, with the implementation of the new map and noise regulations. Hopefully everything continues to run smoothly into the future so that we can all enjoy world-class showings like this month’s Coffee & Cars for years to come. Thanks again to the coordinators and contributors for making the new event as great as it was, and I’m looking forward to what’s next.
I couldn’t whittle down the images very well this month due to the insane amount of amazing cars, so please enjoy the extended gallery. See you next month!
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