The sounds of revving engines and the sights of shiny vintage cars will fill the parking lots at the Original Farmers Market on Saturday, June 4 at the 22nd annual Gilmore Heritage Auto Show.

Jim Cascone, of Huntington Meats at the Original Farmers Market, will display his 1970 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray on Saturday at the Gilmore Heritage Auto Show. (photo courtesy of Jim Cascone)

Vintage car enthusiasts are expected to flock to the corner of Third and Fairfax, for the show. The theme this year is “The Sky Is The Limit: A Tribute to American Convertibles,” and more than 100 classic and vintage American cars will be on display. Huntington Meats owner Jim Cascone and his former business partner Dan Vance will display their classic cars. The show is something vintage car enthusiasts look forward to all year.

Vance, who sold his interest in Huntington Meats to Cascone and retired a little less than a year ago, said he has had a lifelong love of cars. He has entered vintage vehicles in the Gilmore Heritage Auto Show since it started, and added that he never misses the event.

“I got my first car before I could drive and had a license,” said Vance, 71. “I’ve been to every Gilmore car show and got a trophy from the first one. I have pretty much always had a [vintage car]. It was a ’59 Corvette in the first car show. I also had a ’57 Thunderbird and a ’56 Chevy Bel Air. I just have the ’56 Chevy now and will be entering it in the auto show.”

Cascone said he and Vance are longtime friends, and he saw the vehicles Vance owned and wanted one for himself. In 2006, Vance offered to sell Cascone a 1970 convertible Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, and Cascone jumped at the opportunity.

“I always liked cars and Dan decided to sell a Corvette to me. I have had it in the show for the last 10 years,” Cascone said. “It was sitting for a long time and Dan helped me work on it after work. It was a labor of love getting it together. It took about six months. My first year [in the Gilmore Heritage Auto Show] was in the 2006, and I’ve been in it every year since.”

Cascone said he takes his Corvette out for a spin at least once a month, and also displays it at car shows in El Segundo and Redondo Beach. He added that he loves to hear the 350 V8 engine purr as he motors down the road.

“It’s my baby. I love driving it with the top down,” Cascone said. “It’s great. We get a lot of people waving, a lot of Corvette guys wave. We usually hang out with our friends. It’s a great time.”

Cascone also owns a 1966 Ford Mustang. There is something about the shape and form of vintage muscle cars that makes them unique, he said.

“I view them as art pieces,” Cascone added. “Especially the Corvettes. I think of them as genuine art pieces.”

In addition to Vance and Cascone’s cars, the Gilmore Heritage Auto Show will feature more than 100 classic vehicles. They include a 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe that will be on display courtesy of the Petersen Automotive Museum.

The car was originally owned by Hollywood legends Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, whose romance had been a well-known secret until the couple made their first public appearance at a midget car race at Gilmore Stadium in April 1936. Gilmore Stadium was located on the Original Farmers Market property.

Also on display this year will be a 1929 Packard Dietrich Dual Cowl Phaeton, a 1947 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Station Wagon with a 1939 hand-built Woody Teardrop Trailer, a 1959 Ford Galaxy Skyliner and a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible. For the grand finale, fans can watch as the owners drive the vehicles around the Farmers Market property in a vintage car parade.

“We’re always thrilled about the quality of cars at our show, but this year’s tribute to the convertible is particularly special,” said Ilysha Buss, Farmers Market marketing director. “When people think of Los Angeles, they think of movies and top-down, convertible weather. What better place to celebrate the history of the easy, breezy convertible than one of Angelenos’ favorite gathering places in the heart of L.A.?”

The Gilmore Heritage Auto Show runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 4. The show is free and open to the public. For information, visit www.farmersmarketla.com.

“There are beautiful cars from all eras,” Cascone said. “It’s one of the highlights of the year.”

Vance is also looking forward to seeing fellow car enthusiasts who gather at the Farmers Market each year.

“I have some friends who have Corvettes and they think it’s one of the nicest shows they go to and wouldn’t miss it,” Vance added. “I don’t go to many shows, but I go to this one, no matter what.”