Summer's Best Car Shows: 2012

Date: June 22-24
Location: Orange County, Calif.

One of the world's most renowned and widely televised automotive auctions, Barrett-Jackson is a great place for visitors to not only try their luck with the sweet rides being paraded across the stage, but also to rub elbows with celebrities from the car world. Spread out over two days of furious bidding, some of the world's most valuable vehicles find new owners at Barrett-Jackson.

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Date: Every Saturday morning
Location: Originated in Irvine, Calif.

A staple activity for Southern California car lovers, Cars and Coffee is a weekly meet-up occurring at the crack of dawn every Saturday, all year round. As opposed to a formal, professional auto show, Cars and Coffee is an unrehearsed get-together that fills public parking lots with shockingly exotic rides of all shapes and sizes in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Not a bad way to enjoy your morning coffee. Happily, Cars and Coffee is making its way across the country, with local gatherings popping up in many metropolitan areas.

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Date: July 26-29
Location: Plymouth, Mich.

The Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's — formerly known as Meadow Brook — showcases more than 300 cars, which range from the dawn of transportation to contemporary classics. The 2012 event will host a selection of slingshot drag cars, in addition to the Duesenbergs, Pierce-Arrows and Cords.

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Date: Aug. 2-5
Location: Louisville, Ky.

Recognized as one of the world's largest automotive participation events, the Street Rod Nationals are expected to attract more than 30,000 participants and between 10,000 and 11,000 vintage cars for display. The cars include street rods, customs, muscle cars and special-interest vehicles. For the second year, vehicles from the 1950s, '60s and '70s will be on display with the street rods. Automobiles of nearly every make, model and style will be on hand. Along with all of the cars on display, the four-day event includes a trade show, an arts-and-crafts fair and a vintage auto-parts swap meet.

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Date: Aug. 18
Location: Detroit

The Motor City has been producing lust-worthy vehicles for enthusiasts to fawn over since the first Ford Model T rolled off the assembly line in 1908, and it comes as no surprise that this heritage is celebrated each year at the Woodward Dream Cruise. In just one day, thousands of classic rides and more than 1 million spectators descend on Detroit's famous Woodward Avenue for what's been described as the world's largest one-day car show.

View Pictures:  2011 Woodward Dream Cruise: Classics

Date: Aug. 13-19
Location: Pebble Beach, Calif.

Well-known as one of the most highly regarded auto shows in the country, the famous Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance transfers the scenic Pacific Coast golf course into a multimillion-dollar display of many of the most exotic vehicles in history. Laid out as a competition, the main attraction involves awarding cars — and their affluent owners — awards as they're judged within their class.

Watch Video:  2011 Pebble Beach Highlights

Date: Sept. 7-8
Location: Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Set against the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Shades of the Past Rod Run features hot rods, classics and customs from every corner of the United States. While the actual show primarily features high-dollar, professionally built metal, more accessible customs can be seen simply by making the trek up and down U.S. Route 441 from the early morning well into the night.

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Date: Sept. 14-16
Location: Canton, Ohio

Each September, thousands of visitors flock to the Glenmoor Country Club near Canton, Ohio, to ogle rare metal and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow auto enthusiasts. The 2012 event will focus on early supercharged automobiles and will even feature some steam-powered vehicles, as well as the obligatory contemporary sports cars and side events including a full gallery of automotive art.

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Date: Sept. 20-23
Location: Charlotte, N.C.

Surrounding a 1.5-mile NASCAR track, the Charlotte Motor Speedway facility plays host to one of the largest classic and custom car gatherings on the East Coast. This lively event fills every flat section of asphalt, some of the banked turns and the entire infield with classics and customs, as well as a massive swap meet and auction, and is a must-see for any car lover on the Eastern Seaboard.

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Date: Sept. 28-Oct. 21
Location: Dallas

With automobile presentations dating back nearly a century, the State Fair of Texas now boasts a whopping 300,000 square feet of auto show floor, with vehicles on display for nearly the full month of the fair. Over the years, this popular show has played host to countless classics and customs, as well as unveilings of some of the latest production models well before they hit dealership lots.

Bing Images: State Fair of Texas Auto Show

Date: Oct. 27-28
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.

Moonshine running, backwoods racing and motorsports glory — Dawson County, Ga., revels in its heritage and celebrates it in grand style each year during its free, family-friendly Mountain Moonshine Festival. It features vintage race cars, classic moonshine movers and a swap meet. The opening ceremonies and parade of authentic moonshine and revenue cars will be hosted by NASCAR champion Rex White.

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James Tate cut his teeth in the business as a race team crew member before moving to the editorial side as Senior Editor of Sport Compact Car, and his work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Automobile, Motor Trend and European Car. When not writing, Tate is usually fantasizing about a vintage Porsche 911.

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