Report from the 1st Annual Stone Gables Estate Pre-WWII Car Tour - Elizabethtown, PA
Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:20 am
Good morning! I had to put out this dispatch in regards to the BEST new car tour on the east coast which occurred yesterday, June 29, 2023 at the Stone Gables Estate in Elizabethtown, PA. Put on by one of the 'young guys' in the Hobby, this pre-WWII tour was organized by Nick Sieber with help of family and friends. Check out the tour website here for more information. https://sites.google.com/view/stonegabl ... uNhb3HlSww
A novel idea for a tour, the entire event took place within the 275 acres that comprises the Stone Gables Estate in Elizabethtown, PA. After a train ride on a recreation of an 1800's engine and a tour of THE replica of the Lincoln Funeral Car, we paraded to the tour 'Parking' area, next to the world famous Star Barn, which was moved to and reconstructed on the Estate grounds a few years ago. Then we were on our OWN... to ride around several miles of paved roads, stoned roads, and muddy cart path trails complete with horse turds for period correctness (they have horses on site). It was a blast running my 1915 RPU with my father alongside, thinking that this must have been what the roadways were like 100 years ago when these cars were close to new!
Being pre-WWII, there was a strong contingent of Model A's, and several T's... but also local HCCA members who brought out such gems as a 2 cylinder Reo and Buick. There was also a Pullman Roadster on site along with other great cars. When's the last time you saw one of those at a show let alone watching it drive away?!?
With a strong showing this first year, I am certain it will continue to grow into a Central Pennsylvania version of the OCF or events at the Gilmore... albeit with a little more Mud.. Horse turds... and a stream crossing... what's not to love! Come on out next year, this place is MADE for Model T's!!! Enjoy the photos!
A novel idea for a tour, the entire event took place within the 275 acres that comprises the Stone Gables Estate in Elizabethtown, PA. After a train ride on a recreation of an 1800's engine and a tour of THE replica of the Lincoln Funeral Car, we paraded to the tour 'Parking' area, next to the world famous Star Barn, which was moved to and reconstructed on the Estate grounds a few years ago. Then we were on our OWN... to ride around several miles of paved roads, stoned roads, and muddy cart path trails complete with horse turds for period correctness (they have horses on site). It was a blast running my 1915 RPU with my father alongside, thinking that this must have been what the roadways were like 100 years ago when these cars were close to new!
Being pre-WWII, there was a strong contingent of Model A's, and several T's... but also local HCCA members who brought out such gems as a 2 cylinder Reo and Buick. There was also a Pullman Roadster on site along with other great cars. When's the last time you saw one of those at a show let alone watching it drive away?!?
With a strong showing this first year, I am certain it will continue to grow into a Central Pennsylvania version of the OCF or events at the Gilmore... albeit with a little more Mud.. Horse turds... and a stream crossing... what's not to love! Come on out next year, this place is MADE for Model T's!!! Enjoy the photos!