Making Memories in Monroe: The Gold Standard of Car Shows

Key Takeaways: The 2026 Monroe Car Show Experience

The 21st annual “Making Memories in Monroe” car show solidified its spot as the Southeast’s premier automotive “block party.” Beyond the estimated 800+ vehicles—ranging from “Skittles-colored” trucks to national Ridler Award – level contenders. The event’s success lies in its top-notch, community-first organization.

Industry Insights:

• Sam Mahdavi’s “Old School” Vibe: The Sam’s Garage host emphasized the show’s rare human connection, where attendees prioritize “memory pictures” over cell phone screens.

• NOPI’s Massive Return: Mahdavi confirmed the relaunch of the NDRA drag racing series this April, followed by the NOPI Nationals on September 12th.

• Bespoke Quality: Al Bathurst of Shiny Fenders showcased the “surgical” standard of automotive care, highlighting a shift toward personalized, listener-focused service.

With flawless logistics, open downtown commerce, and diverse builds, Monroe has turned car show management into a science.

We’re calling it right now. Mark your calendars for March 2027!

The Magic of Monroe: A Masterclass in Automotive Community

If you’ve ever wanted to step into a time machine, you didn’t need a Flux Capacitor this past March—you just needed to find a parking spot in downtown Monroe.

The 21st annual “Making Memories in Monroe” car show didn’t just meet expectations; it blew the doors off them.

While some shows struggle with logistics or turn into a ghost town at the first sight of a cloud, Monroe proved once again why it sits at the top of the Southeast’s automotive hierarchy.

The weather gods clearly have a soft spot for classic steel, providing us with a crisp 50°F morning that thawed into a gorgeous 72°F afternoon. With the sun bouncing off polished chrome and the smell of high-octane fuel mixing with local BBQ, the energy was electric.

This wasn’t just a static display of an estimated 800+ vehicles; it was a living, breathing neighborhood block party. Whether you were there for the “Skittles” variety of the trucks or to see Ridler Award quality builds, the vibe was pure hospitality.

We saw families holding hands, friends reuniting after a long winter, and a genuine passion for the hobby that you just don’t find everywhere.

A Moment with the Pro: Sam Mahdavi’s Take on the “Old School”

If you’ve spent any time under a hood or in front of a TV lately, you know Sam Mahdavi.

As the host of Sam’s Garage on Motor Trend TV, Sam has spent well over a decade sharing the wisdom he earned the hard way—starting as a mechanic at a Goodyear in Alpharetta and grinding his way to becoming a championship-level drag racer.

When we caught up with him in the middle of the street in Monroe, he wasn’t looking at his watch or a Teleprompter. He was just soaking it all in.

“You come here, and it’s as if you went back into the past,” Sam told us, leaning against the backdrop of a town that looked like a movie set. “Everyone looks old school. Everyone is acting old school.”

He pointed out something most of us miss: the human element. In a world glued to screens, Sam noticed that while people had cell phones in their pockets, they weren’t staring at them.

They were holding hands, walking with their kids, and taking “memory pictures” with their minds. For a guy who has been coming to this show for 15 or 16 years, the growth hasn’t stripped away the heart of the event.

To Sam, it’s about like-minded folks—and even those who don’t know a carburetor from a camshaft—just enjoying the scene.

The Return of the Legends: NOPI is Back

Of course, Sam isn’t just looking backward. He’s got his foot firmly on the gas for what’s coming next. If you’ve missed the smell of burning rubber and the scream of a high-revving import, you’re in luck.

• NDRA is Back: This April kicks off the return of the NDRA drag racing series, a fan favorite that’s been on hiatus since 2008. The hype is already through the roof for this three-race series.

• Drifting in the Sun: Keep your calendars clear for the third weekend of June. There’s a massive drifting show hitting Palm Beach, Florida, and Sam promises it’s going to be “absolutely huge.”

• The Big One: Mark September 12th in red ink. The NOPI Nationals are returning to Echo Park Speedway. Sam’s message to the fans is simple: “We are back, and it’s going to be just as big as it was before.”

Shiny Fenders: Where Bespoke Quality Meets the Monroe Sun

If you spent any time walking the blocks of downtown Monroe, you probably saw Al Bathurst. If you didn’t see him, you certainly saw his handiwork. Al is the wizard behind Shiny Fenders, and he describes the visual explosion of color in this show in one perfect word: Skittles.

“The diversity of the cars, trucks, motorcycles—it’s just amazing,” Al told us as he looked out over the sea of color. “Everybody’s been cooped up all winter long, and they just bust the doors down to get here. With weather like this, it’s off the charts. My guess? There are 800-plus cars here today.”

Al wasn’t exaggerating about the quality, either. He pointed out that some of these builds aren’t just local favorites; they’re national contenders. “Some of these could easily be Ridler cars,” he noted, referring to the “best of the best” in the custom car world.

From high-end race cars to a stunning turnout of pickup trucks, the variety was staggering.

The “Surgical” Standard of Shiny Fenders

We’ve got a confession to make: we almost didn’t want to write this part. It’s like finding a five-star restaurant tucked away on a side street; once the word gets out, you can’t get a reservation.

To borrow a line from the Eagles, we’d hate to “call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye.”

But we owe it to our readers to share the secret.

The Shiny Fenders experience starts the moment you pull your ride into Al’s service bay. The level of cleanliness and lighting would make a hospital surgeon jealous.

There are no tacky banners or high-pressure sales posters here. Instead, you get white wainscoted walls and a stark focus on one thing: your car.

What truly sets Al apart isn’t just the high-end equipment—it’s the lost art of listening. When we brought our 2013 Crystal Red Grand Sport project car to him, we didn’t get a sales pitch for “Package A” or “Add-on B.” Al sat down and genuinely understood our vision.

He combines a lifetime of automotive wisdom with a “bespoke” approach that is refreshing in a mass-marketed world.

In a sea of “Skittles” and high-end chrome, the difference between Al and the competition is much more than just the shine. It’s about a genuinely caring heart and a commitment to quality that has clients lined up around the block.

The Magic of Monroe: Why We’ll Be Back in 2027

If we had to describe the annual “Memories in Monroe” show in a single sentence, it would be this: It’s a good old-fashioned neighborhood block party where everyone brings the special ride they’ve been wrenching on all year.

Held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, this 21st annual event proved once again why it’s one of our absolute favorite stops on the calendar. Between the “Skittles” variety of the truck scene and the high-end race cars Sam Mahdavi noted, the exemplary quality and depth of field offered something for every automotive taste.

Whether you were browsing the open downtown stores, grabbing a bite at a local restaurant, or exploring the ever-growing “Food Truck Alley,” the atmosphere was electric.

It is a true community-run show that crosses every “t” and dots every “i” and it shows in every detail.

After two decades, the organizers have refined the template to a science—and with complimentary shuttles running from Blaine Street Station, there’s simply no excuse to miss it.

We’re already counting down the days until next year!

Archival Metadata: Primary Record

Taxonomy (LCSH): Corvette automobile–History–21st century | Sports cars–United States–Periodicals | Automobiles–Maintenance and repair–Georgia

Technical Standard: Forensic audit of C1–C7 structural transitions and bespoke “Surgical” maintenance protocols.

ISSN 3071-3099 (Online) | Official Selection: U.S. Library of Congress Web Archives (ID 50193) | Master Technical Index