CHARLOTTE, N.C. – There are certain automotive events on an enthusiast’s calendar that have become so noteworthy over the years that they’ve been designated as being “bucket list” worthy. And anyone who has ever attended the annual the Charlotte Spring Auto Fair will tell you that this annual show has indeed earned that lofty designation.

One of the world’s largest automotive extravaganzas, the Charlotte AutoFair invades the Charlotte Motor Speedway each spring and fall, bringing together thousands of hot rods, muscle cars, exotic sports cars and classic automobiles. Beyond all the great cars, you’ll experience over 7,000 automotive vendor displays, a massive manufacturers’ midway, a kids’ PlayZone, fair-style food and fun for every member of the family to enjoy. You don’t have to take our word for it. Just click HERE to read about how much fun Team Mustang Girls had covering that event for Ford Performance last year.

The Hornets Nest Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) produces the much celebrated Charlotte AutoFair events in April and September each year, but the Spring event is the one that draws the largest crowds, with some 150,000 attendees flooding the grounds of Charlotte Motor Speedway. The collector car flea market vendors buy and sell restoration parts and supplies for almost any vehicle ever produced, including memorabilia, vintage signs, tires, wheels, automotive toys, restoration supplies, tools – just about everything automotive. But many fans come just to buy and sell collector vehicles of all descriptions in the Car Corral that nearly encircles the entire track oval.

While the Charlotte Spring Auto Fair isn’t known as a Ford-centric event, make no mistake – the Ford brand footprint here is impossible to miss. Much of that has to do with several local Ford enthusiast clubs using the venue to host their own car shows on the Speedway’s infield. Ford Performance came to Charlotte this past April to host a meet & greet and make a guest speaking presentation at a monthly meeting of the Carolina Regional Mustang Club. But we then decided to join the club at its show during the Spring Auto Fair. While we were there, we also met the Southern Ford Performance Club, who was celebrating its 25^th anniversary at the show. We used that opportunity to grab our camera and snap a few shots of some of the fine Fords we found there, and then share them with you Twice each year the Charlotte AutoFair is home to thousands of collector car enthusiasts who are buying and selling exceptional vehicles, restoration parts and supplies and those unique items found only at this event.in the gallery below.

FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY JOHN M.CLOR