CHILDWOLD — Nestled in the woods of the Adirondack Park is a small car show with big plans. The Backwoods Inn, a bar on Route 56, started a monthly car show three months ago and slowly has been gaining attention among classic car owners.
"The north country is kind of boring, so we're trying to invent stuff to do here," said Backwoods co-owner Tim Schmidt. "Eventually, we want to get a good bunch of people and set up a benefit ride, except with classic cars rather than motorcycles."
The show has a long way to go before charity work will be possible, however. The first show, three months ago, attracted two cars. This month, six cars showed up.
"We're way off the beaten track, so for six cars to drive all the way out here, I'm really excited," said co-owner Michelle Schmidt.
Those six cars included a 1973 Dodge Charger, a 1967 Ford Mustang and a 2004 Chevrolet SSR — a new classic, according to its owners, John and Patty Daniels.
The Schmidts bought Backwoods three years ago and decided to start their own car show because they no longer had time to go to other shows.
"This was a selfish thing I'm doing. Since we can't go to shows anymore, we get them to come to us," said Mrs. Schmidt, who has been going to car shows all her life. She and her husband have seven classic cars, in various stages of repair.
For this year, the Schmidts are content to let word of their event spread by limited advertising and word of mouth.
"I heard from my sister. She told me they had a car show and I came up," said Jimmy M. Clohosey, Colton. Mr. Clohosey's 1957 Chevrolet pickup truck was sitting in the parking lot with the other classic cars.
"I got one of them schedules, so I'll be back in October," Mr. Clohosey said.
In October, the Potsdam classic car club will come down, bringing about 15 cars into the parking lot of Backwoods, Mrs. Schmidt said. Next year, she said, she plans to start early enough to get on the show circuit, which will bring even more clubs and cars to their small bar in the woods.
"We're known for good food," Mrs. Schmidt said. "Pretty soon we'll be known for good car shows."