The sun reflecting off restored auto bodies was nearly blinding Sept. 11 as enthusiasts from across the country filled the field at the Boothbay Railway Village Museum (BRV) for the Classic Car Club of America’s “Mainely-A-CARavan.” Dedicated to showcasing classic cars from 1915-1948, the week-long event has seen the group traveling up and down the Maine coast, with Boothbay being one of their scheduled pit stops.  

There were about 50 cars and over 100 people in attendance, who all got to enjoy a catered lunch provided by Shannon’s Unshelled.

CCCA hosts “CARavans” every year, but this is the biggest event the New England chapter has put on since 2016, and they are excited to be back on the road, said chapter co-chair Natalie Murphy.  

“A lot of these people go on caravans together every year, and it's like getting together with your family.”  

Classic automobiles have always been a family affair for Murphy, whose father, Charles Charlton, was a CCCA member and car restorer; recalling the family vacations spent at car shows with a laugh.  

“I have been toted in these cars my whole life, taking naps in the back seats, and now I'm driving one.”  

Along with her 93-year-old grandma as “co-pilot,” Murphy has been touring her 1947 Cadillac, which she obtained two years ago from a close family friend and former member Bob Rooke from New Jersey. Rooke passed away earlier this summer at 100 years old. “To be able to drive his car is a complete honor.” 

While Murphy is a Mainer herself, participants originated from a variety of places, including Utah, Florida, Virginia, Canada and more. Murphy believes exploring coastal Maine was one of the biggest draws of the tour, and the sentiment was echoed by multiple members. 

Carol Lassiter of Smithfield, Virginia, said, “Each area is unique. For the first time being this far north and being in Maine, I love all of it.” 

She and Alyn Julie brought a 1933 Chrysler Imperial, only 13 were built, and only five remain.

“(This event) is a way to see different parts of the country and in more detail than you would on a regular tour group,” said Barbara Lex from Los Angeles, California. Lex and her husband had their 1941 Cadillac shipped from Ohio, where they had been participating in another caravan.  

The couple previously did showroom-type events, but decided to trade in their automobiles for a road-ready vehicle. Part of the appeal is seeing the reaction of the community members as they pass by. “They get a lot of waves, and you get a lot of people just taking pictures of the cars as they drive by. It's cool when there's a whole string of us.”