From left, Warren residents Ken, Mark and Colleen Bryant admire several classic cars Saturday at the eighth annual Corvettes & Classics Car Show at the National Packard Museum in Warren.

WARREN — Car enthusiasts and those who were simply curious walked in Saturday’s late July sunshine to see new and vintage Corvettes, as well as classic cars, during the eighth annual Corvettes & Classics Car Show at the National Packard Museum.

Co-sponsored by the museum and the Mahoning Valley Corvette Club, the annual car show had more than 200 vehicles registered.

“Last year, we had about 200 cars,” Mary Ann Porinchak, executive director of the museum, said. “We have more this year.”

Porinchak said the show and the Packard Museum in general have seen significant growth since 2020 when it was shut down for three months because of the pandemic.

“People have been very understanding,” Porinchak said. “So far, in 2024, we’re 23% ahead of where we were in 2023 in gift shop sales.”

And, she said the 2023 sales were up from 2022 figures.

“People have been very generous to the museum in both direct and in-kind donations,” she said. “We’ve told people what we needed, and they’ve provided the support.”

Porinchak said the museum has received help not only from local organizations and residents, but also from other museums as far away as Texas and from the International Packard Museum in California.

The National Packard Museum began working with the Mahoning Valley Corvette Club about eight years ago — shortly after the museum hosted a motorcycle show.

“They volunteered to work with us,” Porinchak said. “They have expertise in putting together shows. Before this, it was our staff that was putting on these programs. The MVCC has expertise and people. It has made it easier.”

Sam Sicilia, president of the Mahoning Valley Corvette Club, said its members are vehicle enthusiasts that are particularly interested in Corvettes. However, he added, its members recognize the importance of preserving many types of classic vehicles, including the Warren-made Packards.

The Mahoning Valley Corvette Club sponsored an even larger corvette show earlier this summer.

“Last year, we donated $10,800 to local charities,” Sicilia said. “We’re proud of that.”

Sonja Parenti of Grove City, Pa., showcased her 2018 Corvette, which is her second. Her first was a 2014 Corvette.

“I was a Camaro girl, until I saw the 2014 Corvette,” Parenti said. “I’ve been working with Corvettes ever since.”

Parenti said it was her father who introduced her to the love of cars and car collecting.

“He used to take me to car shows and races,” she said. “I just enjoyed them.”

A member of the Shenango Valley Corvette Club, she said members of the group have become like members of her family.

William Griffin of Kinsman, an art teacher, was one of several people at the show highlighting cars that are part of the museum’s collection. On Saturday, Griffin highlighted a 1925 Sterling Knight passenger car. It is the only non-Packard car in the museum.

“This car was entirely made in Warren,” Griffin said.

Alan Burbon of Leavittsburg showcased his 1957 DeSoto Adventurer he has had since 1960.

“I’ve loved this car since it was first purchased off the lot,” he said.

The vehicle’s first owner was a friend of Burbon’s father. It was sold to him three years later and has been a member of the family since then.

“What I love about this car is when I go to other car shows there are very few, if any, other DeSotos,” he said.

Dave Dunfee of Cortland displayed his 1965 Chevrolet SportVan that he modified with a Corvette engine and tricked out the vehicle’s interior with a large television, speakers and comfortable seats. A large American flag can be seen when the rear door is opened.

It was one of the favorites of people walking the parking lots between Packard Music Hall and the museum.

Dunfee has owned the vehicle for about three years. He had it shipped from California.

“It has never experienced an Ohio rain and only one Ohio winter snow,” Dunfee said. “I’ve been working on it whenever I could.”

Adam Noel of Cortland brought his 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat to the showcase.

“I have liked all types of cars since I was 17 years old,” Noel said. “It was my dad who introduced me to cars and collecting. He also has a car display.

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