Coffee and Cars, or Cars and Coffee

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Coffee and Cars, or Cars and Coffee

You don't have to be interested in coffee to appreciate Cars and Coffee. You don't even have to be that interested in cars. But if you haven't attended one, you are missing one of the great grassroots events this grand land of ours has to offer. It is an unfettered melting pot of every gearhead facet of interest and a decidedly pleasant experience you can enjoy with the entire family.

During my recent years out of the country this was the event I missed more than any other. I pined for it more than track days, autocross and LeMons. The beauty of Cars and Coffee is the variation of the enthusiasts that attend and the non-competitive nature of the event. It is just folks talking about their cars and other people's cars. There are exotics, classics, off roaders, drifters and racers. You will see works in progress, back yard hot rods, billet fans, bikes and lowriders.

The original started in Irvine California as a group of folks with cool cars just started getting together back in 2005. That earliest gathering has grown to a regulated event with over 500 cars at each hosting.

But more importantly, it was the seed that has spread nationwide. Google Cars and Coffee, usually the local one will pop up on the first page, or search for Cars and Coffee and your hometown on Facebook. Sometimes, its Coffee and Cars.

I discovered the Oklahoma City version in 2011. It was close to my house, at a Starbucks located at the end of a retail center. In my absence, it grew too large for that space and has relocated to an older mall a few miles away. No coffee, but sometimes an enterprising youth organization will show up with Krispy Kremes as a fundraiser.

The OKC Cars and Coffee is the first Sunday of every month from 8 AM until 10. This month it was the 6^th and as luck would have it, it was the first nice Sunday of the year. It was pretty packed.

The new rumor is that the mall will soon ask us to go somewhere else.

That's a shame, because a food truck is missing a golden opportunity. A few breakfast burritos and coffee that doesn't suck and you'll carry out some serious cash. The previous location would have the line at Starbucks out the door. I am sure their manager is missing that level of business once a month.

Earlier this year, I got to take my 7-year old nephew. His favorite was of course a yellow "Bumblebee" Camaro. It's not uncommon to folks with their dogs. As I said, it's a family event.

This is a great event, the variations of the attendees is fantastic. The early event timing does wonders to keep out the idiots, and the atmosphere is friendly. It's almost always free. So as the weather starts to thaw, look for your local coffee and cars, get up early one weekend, grab the family and just enjoy some cars.

Enjoying the coffee is optional.