Ask many fathers and grandfathers about the cars they owned when they were young, and something remarkable can happen.
A dad who has trouble remembering what happened yesterday may suddenly tell you all about his first Chevrolet. He might remember the color, the engine, what he paid for it, and where he drove it on Saturday nights. He may even remember the car he wished he’d never sold.
For families caring for a father living with dementia, those stories offer more than nostalgia. They provide opportunities to reconnect with the man Dad has always been.
And here in the Lehigh Valley, late summer provides a perfect opportunity to put those memories into action.
The Wheels of Time Annual Rod & Custom Car Jamboree returns to Macungie Memorial Park August 28–30, 2026. With more than 1,500 custom cars and street rods expected, it can be a wonderful destination for a father or grandfather who has spent a lifetime loving automobiles.
But taking someone living with dementia to a large event requires a little planning.
Why Classic Cars Can Be Powerful Memory Triggers
Cars are rarely just transportation.
Think about the memories associated with them.
Dad’s first car.
The car he drove on his first date with Mom.
Family station wagons packed for vacations.
Saturday mornings spent changing the oil.
The truck he drove to work.
The sports car he wanted but couldn’t afford.
These memories are tied to significant stages of life. For someone living with early-stage dementia, seeing a familiar automobile may provide a natural doorway into long-term memories.
Instead of sitting across from Dad and asking him to remember the past, you’re standing beside a 1957 Chevy and saying:
“Dad, did you ever drive anything like this?”
The car does much of the work.
Let Dad Be the Expert Again
Dementia can gradually reverse family roles. Adult children begin managing appointments, transportation, medications, finances, and other responsibilities their parents once handled independently.
That can be difficult for everyone.
A car show offers an opportunity to change those roles for an afternoon.
Let Dad be the expert.
Ask questions such as:
- What was your first car?
- How much did gasoline cost?
- Did you change your own oil?
- What car did Grandpa drive?
- What was the fastest car you ever owned?
- Did you ever get a speeding ticket?
- What car did you drive when you met Mom?
- What car do you wish you had kept?
- What did you listen to on the radio?
- Did you ever work on cars with your father?
Don’t worry about whether every detail is completely accurate.
You’re not conducting an interview.
You’re having a conversation.
Bring the Grandchildren
A car show can also be a wonderful intergenerational outing.
Grandchildren may be amazed to learn that Grandpa once drove a car without GPS, backup cameras, Bluetooth—or even seatbelts like the ones they know today.
Encourage grandchildren to ask questions.
“Grandpa, which one would you pick?”
“How fast did cars go when you were young?”
“Did your first car have air conditioning?”
“Did you listen to music when you drove?”
Suddenly Grandpa isn’t simply a senior living with memory loss.
He’s the family historian.
That change in perspective can be meaningful for both generations.
Plan Around Dad, Not the Event
The Wheels of Time show opens at 7 a.m. each day and cars remain on display until sundown. But someone living with dementia doesn’t need to experience the entire event.
An hour may be plenty.
Consider when Dad is normally at his best. If mornings are calmer, arrive early. Avoid disrupting normal meal or rest schedules when possible.
South Mountain Memory Care emphasizes matching activities to what a person can comfortably do and watching for signs of frustration or fatigue.
The goal isn’t seeing every car.
The goal is enjoying time with Dad.
Think About Mobility and Comfort
Large outdoor events require additional planning for older adults.
The Wheels of Time event is handicapped accessible and permits wheelchairs and mobility-aiding motorized scooters.
Before leaving home, think about Dad’s mobility, stamina, medications, hydration, and the weather.
Bring water. Dress for the temperature. Use sunscreen and a hat. Know where Dad can sit and rest.
Most importantly, pay attention to him.
If he’s getting tired, confused, overheated, or overwhelmed, it’s time to leave—even if you planned to stay longer.
A successful outing may be 45 wonderful minutes rather than four exhausting hours.
Use the Cars to Start Stories
When something catches Dad’s attention, stop.
Don’t rush to the next row.
If he becomes fascinated with a Ford that looks like one his father owned, stay there.
Ask about it.
“What color was yours?”
“Where did you drive it?”
“Who taught you to drive?”
“What did Grandma think of that car?”
These questions can lead somewhere unexpected.
A conversation about a Mustang may turn into a story about Dad’s first job.
A pickup truck might remind him of his father.
A station wagon may bring back a family vacation.
That’s the real value of the outing.
Continue the Experience at Home
The car show doesn’t have to end when you leave Macungie Memorial Park.
Take a few photographs during the outing. Later, sit with Dad and look through them.
Pull out old family albums and find pictures of cars he actually owned.
Ask relatives whether they have photographs you haven’t seen.
You could even create a simple “Dad’s Cars” photo book with pictures and short descriptions of vehicles from different periods of his life.
It can become something grandchildren enjoy looking through with him during future visits.
It’s Not Really About the Cars
At South Mountain Memory Care, we understand the importance of maintaining the activities, interests, and experiences that bring people comfort and meaning. Our resident-focused programming is designed around the understanding that every person comes to us with a unique lifetime of interests, hobbies, relationships, and stories.
For Dad, that story might include cars.
The beauty of taking him to a car show isn’t simply seeing polished chrome, big engines, and beautiful automobiles.
It’s hearing Dad say:
“I had one just like that.”
And then listening to what comes next.
Because dementia may change the way Dad remembers today, but there are still decades of stories, experiences, and passions worth discovering.
Sometimes all it takes to unlock one is the rumble of an engine and a familiar car from long ago.
