Revving Up Nostalgia

Constantino “Connie” Pagano will take his 1957 Thunderbird to the Harvest Fest parade and car show. Photo by Rachel Lukas.

It’s a sight not easily missed when the usual traffic is replaced by a line of cars that appear to be traveling through the wrong decade. Chevy Corvettes, Thunderbirds, Cobras, Model Ts – these wheeled windows into the past not only conjure feelings of nostalgia for many, but also stir excitement in those from younger generations who have seen these vehicles perhaps only in movies and photos. Whether you’re a classic-car collector or a casual onlooker, it’s hard not to smile when a classic-car parade rolls by. 

Constantino Pagano said it was love at first sight when he first laid eyes on a ’57 Thunderbird. 

“I was young, and I fell in love with it,” the 82-year-old recalled of his love-struck, 17-year-old self.

The first Thunderbird, or T-Bird, was made in 1955 – the same year that Pagano immigrated to the United States with his family – but it was the 1957 model – the last model made – that really caught his eye. 

“I said, ‘You know, someday I am going to buy it.’ And I did,” he said.

After purchasing his inca-gold T-Bird 45 years ago, it sat in the garage, undrivable, for nearly 20 years. But little by little, year by year, Pagano rebuilt the entire car with original parts, and today he takes it to classic-car shows and parades, including the events that are part of Sturgeon Bay’s Harvest Fest. 

Recently, in preparation for those events, Pagano took his T-Bird for a drive around the peninsula.

“People were waving when they saw it,” he said. “You see the car, and it makes people smile.”

That’s exactly why he and many other classic-car collectors want to share their vehicles at parades and shows. 

“It’s why I put it there,” Pagano said. “It’s a unique opportunity for people, and it gets a lot of reaction.”
Though many classic-car shows tend to attract “muscle cars” such as Mustangs, Corvettes and – yes – T-Birds, there’s a nice variety of other classic cars in attendance as well, according to Pagano. And any competition that may exist between models is put to rest by the mutual appreciation for the nostalgia and craftsmanship these vehicles represent. 

“You look at these cars and how beautiful they look – the lines – and people, they fall in love,” Pagano said. “Whenever I go out in the garage where the car is, I look at it and I smile.”

You’ll have two opportunities to see Pagano’s Thunderbird and the other vintage cars on display during Harvest Fest. The classic-car parade will kick off the weekend festivities on Friday, Sept. 16, beginning at 5:30 pm. It will start from the Door County Fairgrounds, then travel along Egg Harbor Road, cross the Michigan Street Bridge, return across the Maple-Oregon Street Bridge and end next to Martin Park. 

On Saturday, Sept. 17, the annual Classic Car Show, hosted by the Old Bolts Car Club, will be on display along 3rd Avenue between Michigan and Pennsylvania streets.
Need even more classic cars in your life? Baileys Harbor will host a classic car show as part of Autumn Fest, featuring hot rods, the Pinups & Pistons photo shoot, and, from 11 am to 3 pm, live music. 

Find out more about these classic-car events and the rest of the festivities at sturgeonbay.net/events/special-events and baileysharbor.doorcounty.com/events/autumnfest.