Would you believe Phoenix already hit over 90 degrees – in February? It’s not even officially spring yet, but automotive enthusiasts in Arizona are taking advantage of the temperatures before they soar to triple digits.
The Melrose Street Fair is a family-friendly event that brings the Phoenix community out to enjoy some neighborhood camaraderie. Attractions each year include vendors, food trucks, live music, kids’ area, beer garden, and car show. The free-admission event is hosted by the Melrose Merchants Association, a non-profit organization that is now in its 23rd year.
This year’s program on Saturday, February 28, attracted over 200 local and independent artisans – not to mention a variety of special vehicles. Here were a few of the cars that caught my eye:
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad
The “Tri-Five” Nomad was an iconic two-door station wagon manufactured on the General Motors A-platform and sold between 1955 and 1957. This Matador Red Nomad was a clean machine both inside and out, flaunting its quintessential tailfins and a set of wide-whitewall tires.
1962 Imperial Custom Hardtop
The Imperial, for a time, was a standalone luxury brand from the Chrysler corporation, although it was originally a model under the Chrysler nameplate. “Custom” models from 1962 rode on a perimeter frame and received a mild facelift compared to the prior version. Power came from a 413ci “Wedge” V-8. My favorite thing about this one was its freestanding “gunsight” taillights.
1985 Honda CRX Si
At the leading edge of the fuel economy spectrum for its time was this immaculate Baltic Blue CRX. I wrote a story last December about a friend’s second-generation CRX, and this first-gen was just as clean. The CRX was a two-seater that blended fun-to-drive dynamics with a modest price tag (and of course, incredible MPG in the 40s or even 50s, depending on trim level). According to paperwork displayed with this CRX, it won 2nd place at a Japanese Classic Car Show and was retained by its original owner for 38 years.
1985 Porsche 944
The 944 was produced from 1982-92 and was known for its balanced handling and iconic pop-up headlights. The standard powertrain was a 2.5-liter inline-four that was rated at 147 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. This 944 was finished in Marble Gray and had a two-tone interior with perforated leather seats and a Kenwood audio system.
1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet
The Cabriolet was a compact, four-seat convertible largely hand-built by Karmann. Power came from a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated inline-four with K-Jetronic fuel injection. The car shared engineering with the first-generation (Mk1) Golf and was available in a few trim levels, including Base, Bestseller, and Boutique. This Cabriolet had a unique look to it, outfitted with color-keyed aftermarket wheels and a white leather interior.
The Melrose Street Fair car show offered fun for the whole family. If you ever find yourself in Phoenix in a future February, make sure you check it out!
