Arizona, with its unique desert climate, has become a sprawling outdoor car museum. This makes it an ideal destination for a trip in search of classic cars. Throughout the state, you'll find numerous opportunities to view classic cars at events, in museums, and those that have just been left out in the open, unaffected by the elements. Over the course of a few days and a 600-mile journey, you can witness a fascinating array of classic cars.
A great place to start an Arizona road trip is on the iconic Route 66, America's Mother Road. Along this historic route, there are various spots that commemorate the golden era of road tripping, complete with impressive examples of vehicles and structures from days gone by.
Heading west on Route 66, the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook is a really fun place to stay, guests sleep in replica Native American teepees (not wigwams – oh well). Each teepee is accompanied by a classic car, so it feels like a 1950s road trip experience, even if you're driving a 2024 rental.
In Winslow, a town that takes its Route 66 heritage seriously, you'll find giant route markers painted on the streets. The corner of Winslow, Arizona was immortalized in the famous song "Take It Easy," written by Jackson Browne and made famous by the Eagles. Corner Park pays tribute to this song, featuring a flame-red 1960 Ford flatbed pickup truck.
The legend of Route 66 lives on in Seligman, a town bypassed by Interstate 40. Locals successfully petitioned to have it designated as a historic highway, inspiring the fictional town of Radiator Springs in the movie "Cars." Today, Seligman is a pilgrimage site for Route 66 enthusiasts, offering retro motels, memorabilia shops, and an abundance of vintage cars parked throughout town.
Bing's Burger Station in historic Cottonwood is a must for any Arizona road trip. Housed in a restored 1940s Atlantic Richfield gas station, this diner is hard to miss, with a bright red 1950 Plymouth Special Deluxe sedan parked next to vintage Gilmore pumps. While surrounded by decades of service station memorabilia, indulge in a classic meal at this diner.
Heading south, you'll arrive in Tucson, where you will find an open-air car museum thanks to the efforts of Truly Nolen. This pest exterminating pioneer started parking classic cars around town in the 1950s to promote his business. Today, you'll find over 50 Truly Nolen cars scattered throughout the city, creating a delightful scavenger hunt for classic car enthusiasts.
Venturing 100 miles southeast of Tucson, you'll reach Bisbee, an old mining town with a surprising elevation of 5,500 feet. The Lowell Historic District features a section that appears frozen in the 1950s, with classic cars lining the mostly empty Erie Street. Among these vintage beauties is a striking 1955 GMC PD-4501 Scenicruiser observation coach parked near a vintage Texaco station, giving the impression that it's ready to be fueled up.
To conclude your road trip through Arizona, treat yourself to a stay at The Shady Dell trailer court. Here, you can spend the night in a vintage motorhome, choosing from a dozen accommodations that include a 1947 Airporter bus transformed into a "Polynesian Palace," a 1955 Airstream, or even a wooden 1947 Chris Craft yacht. It's the perfect retro haven to rest your head after a thrilling adventure hunting classic cars in the wilds of Arizona.
For a more contemporary classic car experience, many attended the Scottsdale Barrett-Jackson Auction for 2024, where a silver 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe was the most expensive car sold at a price of $3,410,000! Those of us who live near WestWorld, the venue of the annual collector car auction, noticed a substantial increase in traffic along with a fascinating stream of collector cars rolling through the city. One of my friends noted on Facebook that the corner of Hayden Road at Indian School sounded like the Indy 500. The Barrett-Jackson is the best-known venue to view classic cars in Scottsdale, but it is certainly not the only place where you can see a variety of spectacular vehicles.
Scottsdale Civic Center also focused on classic cars this past weekend hosting the Arizona Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, January 21st. The Arizona Concours d'Elegance is an exceptional showcase of the world's most exquisite collector cars. This curated and judged exhibition takes place annually in January, creating a magnificent celebration of automotive excellence in Arizona. This non-profit event aims to benefit the arts and support local artists.
The Concours invites over 100 hand-picked rare and exotic automobiles to participate in the judging and exhibition. These exceptional vehicles compete for class awards and the highly sought-after Best-of-Show recognition. With the support of nearly 150 dedicated volunteers and esteemed judges from the United States, Canada, and Europe, the Arizona Concours continues to exceed expectations. The event has been honored to showcase stunning cars from renowned collections across the United States, Europe, South America, and Canada.
If you’re looking for a free event, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Car Show at the Pavilions at Talking Stick is another great place to see classic cars every Saturday evening from 4:00 until 8:00pm. The weather could not be more beautiful, so take advantage of the opportunity to stroll and appreciate the many old beauties shown there each week. However you celebrate automobile history in Arizona, enjoy the ride!
Resources:
