Revved up: OCC Car Show organizer hopes for 600-vehicle event Aug. 19

Vehicles line the sides of Colbrunn Court (with the Carnegie Library in the background) during the 2017 Old Colorado City Customs & Classics Car Show. The plan for this year's event is to make even more use of the side streets along Colorado Avenue between 23rd and 27th streets to allow more vehicles to be displayed.
Westside Pioneer file photo

Revved up: OCC Car Show organizer hopes for 600-vehicle event Aug. 19

Aug. 11, 2018
       Ace Cosley, who led the revival of Old Colorado City's annual car show last year, isn't satisfied with just organizing it again.
       He wants it to be bigger and better than ever.
       For the Old Colorado City Customs & Classics Car Show Sunday, Aug. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., that means more entries (his goal is 600), more sponsors (he's up to

Old Colorado City Customs & Classics Car Show organizer Ace Cosley is shown in Bancroft Park during the 2017 event. In the background are some of the parked cars on Colorado Avenue.
Westside Pioneer file photo

16 this year), more efficient registration for those paying to show their cars (at sites west and east of the event), more volunteers (including four branches of the military) and non-stop music (a live band or a deejay in Bancroft Park throughout the event).
       "I'm just trying to keep the tradition going,” said Cosley, who had volunteered for many years when it was still the Good Times Car Show.
       Free to the public, the show typically features a myriad of makes and models, from shiny classics to restored vintage rarities to unique custom jobs, parked along closed-off Colorado Avenue between 23rd and 27th streets. Event judges assess each vehicle and trophies are given in various categories. Attendees are not counted, but most estimates agree that over the six hours they number in the thousands.
       The Good Times Car Show had been held in Old Colorado City for the last 22 of its 25 years when its car club organizers said 2016 would be the finale. They were tired of paying ever-increasing fees to the city for street barricades, park rental and police protection.
       Then along came Cosley. A car collector himself, the dental technology company owner also promotes events through his Ace Entertainment business. “People in Old Colorado City were really bummed about it leaving,” Cosley said in 2017. “That was part of my inspiration to bring it back.”
       To get around the cost problem, he set out to find sponsors. The funding support especially helped when police costs went up again this year, Cosley said.
       The main sponsor, NAPA Auto Parts, is also giving away a car. It's meant to go to “a person in need,” a car show press release states. Nominations are being taken at pikespeaknapaautocare.com/up-lift-nominations.

In a scene that won't be repeated this year, a building in the 2300 block of West Colorado Avenue during the 2017 Car Show identifies it as a Junior Achievement locale. But with JA recently putting the building up for sale, the nearest signage has been removed.
Westside Pioneer file photo

As for the number of cars in the event, the most ever for Good Times was in 2009, when the total registered was 436. Cosley is pretty sure he beat that last year with his first-time Customs & Classics event, but he hasn't gone back to count every last sign-up.
       Looking forward, he figures there's room in Old Colorado City to park 600 vehicles between 23rd and 27th (if all the side streets are used) and he's hopeful of hitting that mark this time.
       That's where the Marines, Army, Air Force and Navy will help out. Cosley said he learned that members of those services need community service time; so there they'll be Aug. 19, helping park cars and keep the event running smoothly.
       In addition, several car clubs are closely involved this year. Cosley cited the Pikes Peak Corvair Club, Southern Colorado Chevelle Club, the El Camino Club and the “Hole in the Hood Gang” (focused on Transams, Firebirds and Camaros).
       Based on interviews over the years, some vehicles are entered in the event through car clubs, but many are brought in by individuals who have restored one or more vehicles in their own garages - usually investing considerable time and money - and enjoy putting them out in public view.
       The car show in Old Colorado City has always supported a charity, and 2018 will be no exception. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Alzheimer's Association.
       To enter a vehicle, contact Ace Entertainment at 329-4736 or aceent@comcast.net.

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