COATESVILLE, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — The streets of Coatesville turned into a race track Saturday afternoon as thousands turned out for the fifth annual Invitational Vintage Grand Prix.
Straw bales lined a portion of Lincoln Highway, America's first superhighway, as cars and motorcycles from the early 1900s to the mid '70s participated in the race. The race was timed as opposed to a wheel to wheel race, on a 2.2-mile course.
"This is the only event of its type that actually runs within city streets, so there are other vintage events that might have hill climbs," said event director Lisa Thomas.
"They might be on tracks, but they are outside of different cities so that is really unique for us."
A vintage roadster on display at Coatesville's Invitational Vintage Grand Prix.John McDevitt/KYW Newsradio
Hot rodders took to the streets of Coatesville for its Invitational Vintage Grand Prix.John McDevitt/KYW Newsradio
The race was a fundraiser for Coatesville's Parks and Recreation Department.
Jeff Bratteson of Chester Springs is a big vintage car fan. "I'll take pictures. I have a group of friends of mine that are also into vintage cars," he said.
"They're back in Jersey. That's where I moved from, so I'm going to send some pictures to them and get them jealous. I think they'll come out here next year."
Bratteson brought his son Joseph, who was disappointed his favorite vehicle, a 1950 pickup truck, wasn't going to race.
"They couldn't get the engine started," said Joseph. "We saw five men trying to push it, to jumpstart it, but it didn't work."
Bratteson's favorite car though, was the Shelby Cobra 427. "I'm looking forward to that car roaring by us," he said.
