SAAC Forum

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I am happy to announce that the details for the 2026 SAAC Carolinas Spring Event have been finalized and we are definitively scheduled for Saturday, May 9th, 2026.  Last year we held our spring event in one of the most picturesque areas of North Carolina, Shelton Vineyards in North Carolina's Yadkin Valley.  Unfortunately, it was a bit too far for most members, so attendance was not what we were hoping for.

This year we are going to keep it simple.  How about a nice spring day to come out, show off your vehicle in a centrally located venue, and let folks who never get the opportunity to see real Shelby automobiles, and classic Mustang vehicles admire them in person? 

You have to admit there aren't many things in this life that give as much sheer pleasure then a vintage Shelby automobile.  The sad fact is that there are folks who may spend their entire lives never actually seeing one in person, only sad copies on the internet, or even worse, an Eleanor that they are told was designed, built (and signed) by Carroll Shelby himself.  In some ways it's our duty as the current custodians of these wonderful works of rolling art to let the world see these them up close and personal. 

Where:     Gibson Mill.    Located 10 minutes north of Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, Gibson Mill is a historic textile mill that is truly behemoth at 650,000 square feet in size.  It holds an almost endless display of indoor antiques, a sizable food market made up of a variety of restaurants, a coffee shop, two brewery/restaurants and the famous Auto Barn classic car dealership/restoration shop/indoor storage facility.



When:    8:00am to 2:00pm.. Take your time and enjoy lunch at either the food market, or one of the two breweries on site, the Cabarrus Brewing Company and the High Branch Brewing Company.

https://gibsonmillmarketnc.com/ (https://gibsonmillmarketnc.com/)

https://www.cabarrusbrewing.com/ (https://www.cabarrusbrewing.com/)

https://highbranchbrewing.com/ (https://highbranchbrewing.com/)



Address:      305 McGill Ave NW
                     Suite 100
                     Concord, NC 28027


Details: 

We will be having Shelby trivia with prizes, a display of historic Shelby collectables and trinkets, and of course, the cars.  Need a break from the outdoor heat? Walk the miles of indoor antique booths set up in what used to be the historic mill.  Better yet, pay a visit to the AutoBarn classic car dealership.  This facility is equally huge and taking a walk through their inventory is like taking a trip to a good car museum.  They restore automobiles, store them for folks and hold numerous events inside their building to promote the hobby and introduce the younger generation to the love of classic cars.  It's owned by SAAC member and YouTube celebrity/author Tom Cotter so you know you'll be treated fairly should you decide you just can't live without something siting in their inventory.

Speaking of Tom, he will be asking his 'Cobra friends' to try and show up and make it a full Shelby experience for all.  Historically, Tom puts on a nice, quaint cars and coffee on the second Saturday of the month which will be happening concurrently, but we will be reserving a Shelby only section in the lot for our group.  I just ask that if possible, please  RSVP as to your intentions so we may save enough room to accommodate everyone.

Please email SAACCarolinas@gmail.com   or text/call Brian at 919 265-4081


This will be a fun, family friendly event that you shouldn't really miss.  There is ample room for trailer parking in the rear and overnight lodging is available, just reach out if you need help.

Hi Brian,
Sorry, that is a bad Saturday for me, 2nd Saturday in May (was the same Saturday last year too). My Historical Arms Collectors group always meets that day in Salisbury.

I hope we can have our Carolina SAAC events on a different weekend in the future.

Thanks

Michael Briggs

I'd like to thank everyone would braved the weather and came out for last Saturday's SAAC Spring event.  It took place at Gibson Mill in Concord, NC and Tom Cotter was the perfect host.  The location is perfect for car events like the Cars and Coffee that took place concurrently. 

Here is a link to some pictures from the day:.   https://imageshack.com/a/Dot57/1 (https://imageshack.com/a/Dot57/1)

We even managed to have three original Shelby Cobras (two small blocks, and one big block) on location.  We hade three 1966 GT350's, one 1967 GT350, one 1968 GT500, one 1970 GT350 convertible, three Sunbeam tigers, multiple replica Cobras, and modern GT350/500's in attendance.



A special thanks to Mike Rogers who was a long way from his usual circle at Pebble Beach.  His 427 Cobra (CSX 3131) was runner's up in its class this year.  What a privilege to have it on hand in all its 'narrow hip' glory.  Mr Cotter also brought out his famous 289 Cobra (CSX 2490), always a pleasure to see, and a small block Cobra in the midst of a full restoration.  (CSX2429).



Also, thanks to Don Nelson for bringing his '67 GT350 no. 2343, A striking combination of red with bright white LeMans stripes. Don Whitehead's carryover 6S251 and the infamous 'Mr Bill' who drove from South Carolina in his concourse restored 1970 Orange convertible GT350.  Rumors were that Bill had a full support team for the trip, including a enclosed trailer, with a bar and jacuzzi, which he ditched a mile up the road to appear like he drove all that way.  Ah, it must be nice to be rich.  There were others, and I'm sorry I didn't get everyone's name and car number.



The highlight of the day was the tour of Tom's classic car dealership and restoration shop, the Auto Barn.  He shared with us his personal workshop which included a long lost Indy race car and an original Cunningham that idled smoother than my 2025 Kia!  Amazing.



It truly was a lot of fun.

MrBill got a light tan, and a shower along the way, no trailer, no massage therapist, no Jacuzzi, no alcohol until the car was safely back in the garage. I did happen to test the brakes on the way down, thankfully passed with flying colors. I addition, I did have a nice mid 30's-early 40's or so women show her appreciation for the car with it's top down, in a similar, but opposite direction at 80mph. Howard Pardee would be proud  ;D

Thanks again for putting this together.

Bill