A line of polished hoods gleamed under the sunset as the rumble of V8 engines echoed down Harlem Avenue. Kids danced to golden oldies, parents sipped cold beer, and hundreds of car lovers roamed both sides of the street, stopping to admire nearly a century of American automotive history.
The 2025 Palos Heights Classic Car Show took over the city’s downtown Thursday evening, drawing thousands of visitors and more than 700 vehicles dating back to the 1920s. Throughout the evening, people poured in to view the cars, catch up with friends, and mingle with neighbors under warm July skies.
From restored Fords to tricked-out muscle cars, the show claimed the title of the biggest summer car event in the south suburbs — and one of the most family-friendly.
Organizers limited entries to vehicles with model years of 1990 or earlier. Car owners paid a $15 donation to register on-site, with no pre-registration offered — first come, first parked.
Among the standouts was a 1929 Ford Coupe owned by Robert and Britney Roman of Crestwood. The couple said the car has become a staple in their marriage.
Britney Roman spotted the vehicle on Facebook Marketplace and surprised her husband. Together, they restored it to its current showroom shine.
“It’s the same car from American Graffiti that Harrison Ford drove,” Britney said.
“She always knew I wanted this particular car, and this was the best surprise ever,” Robert said.
Tom Jones of Homer Glen also turned heads with his 1971 Mustang Mach 1 — a crisp white muscle car he bought three years ago and restored to match a memory. “I had this exact same car in the exact same color in high school,” Jones said.
The restoration, he said, was a tribute to his teenage years and a beloved piece of his past.
Another crowd favorite was a 1963 Ford Econoline showcased by John Schoonveld of Summit. The boxy, blue van stood out for its vintage charm and backstory.
“I found this car just sitting in a field with grass overgrown in Arkansas 20 years ago, and I knew I had to have it,” Schoonveld said.
He spent years restoring the vehicle, putting in what he described as countless hours of work and energy to bring it back to life.
The city closed off Harlem Avenue for the event, and local restaurants and bars set up booths along the street. Food trucks, lemonade stands, and ice-filled beer coolers gave the show a festival feel. Classic rock and pop hits played through the evening, adding to the throwback atmosphere.
Volunteers helped register vehicles, set up tables and chairs, and sell split-the-pot tickets. Students seeking community service hours pitched in as well. Organizers said additional volunteer help remained welcome even during the event.
During the busy event, families posed for photos beside vintage trucks. Drivers showed off custom paint jobs and restoration work, while others swapped parts and car care tips with fellow enthusiasts.
The show ended around 9 p.m., but the crowds lingered, drawn by a shared love of cars, music, and summer nights in Palos Heights.
