In its 18th year, the Millburn Classic Car show features vintage automobiles owned by residents from across the state—including those from The Caldwells.

This year's event, which will be held Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., will include the vintage cars of West Caldwell residents Jon Ross and Ray Smith along with Caldwell's Jack Harkavy.

Ross has participated in the Millburn Classic Car Show for 12 years. In the past, he has shown off a 1949 Packard and a 1941 Buick, but this year he will debut his 1957 Buick Special. Ross acquired the car last year after it sat in a garage for six years waiting to be restored by its owner, who never got to it before he passed away. 

Ross attends other vintage events  in the area, including Florham Park's Spring Meet Car Show hosted by the New Jersey Region Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) at the Automatic Switch Co.

When asked how he got into old cars, Ross replied, "Well, I'm old." 

Twenty years ago, he was in the position to purchase his first old car—one he had admired since childhood—and his interest has blossomed ever since. 

While he'll miss the '49 Packard he sold last weekend, Ross is excited to unveil his Buick Special on Sunday. 

A resident of Caldwell the past five years, Harkavy will also be attending the Millburn show with his black 1938 Packard.

Last year he brought his 1954 DeSoto, but Harkavy decided to bring the Packard this year since it has recently become a part of the Hollywood scene.

Harkavy's Packard was used in the filming of the HBO remake of Joan Crawford's classic melodrama, "Mildred Pierce." Starring Kate Winslet, Evan Rachel Wood and Guy Pearce, the five-part mini-series began filming this spring in New York City. This is the first time one of Harkavy's cars has been chosen to be on screen. 

Like Ross, Harkavy also attends the AACA show in Florham Park, among other local car events. But what Harkavy enjoys more than car shows is participating in cruise nights. 

Cruise nights are what Harkavy describes as "an informal gathering of people with classic and antique cars that show up at a particular place."

Throughout the summer, classic car owners show off their wheels each night at various locations across the state. Two hot spots Harkavy frequents is Five Points in Union on Monday nights and the Whiskey Cafe on Saturdays with nearly 100 cars gathering at each location every week.

A member of the Garden State Mustang Club, Smith also loves to participate in cruise nights. His favorite location is the Walmart Plaza on Division Street in Boonton where more than 200 cars meet. 

Smith will be show off for the second time at the Millburn show his Presidential Blue 1967 Mustang Coupe, which he has owned for almost three years. Smith still remains close friends with the man who sold him his car.

"He did a beautiful job on it," Smith said. "Mine's a Coupe, his is a Fastback, and we go to a lot of shows together."

In fact, Smith attended the King of the Hill Car Show on Canfield Avenue in Mine Hill on Saturday.

"I'm old enough to remember when Mustangs were introduced in 1964," Smith said. "And my neighbor got one of the first ones, I'll never forget it, it was lime green with a saddle interior, and I fell in love with it." 

Once his two daughters had grown up, Smith began looking for a Mustang of his own. The ultimate "muscle car," Mustangs have survived over the Camaro and Firebird, which are no longer in production.  

Ross, Harkavy and Smith all agree that the Millburn Classic Car Show has a friendly atmosphere, is well run and attracts a variety of different people and cars. While Harkavy explains that it's not as informal as some other shows, the three like that the Millburn show is close to home and attracts great cars and close friends. 

"You see the same people and you share a common interest. It's very interesting," Harkavy said. "You learn things about their cars and about cars like yours—and it's people from all walks of life." 

The event is open to the public and held between Spring Street and Main Street in Millburn. Dash plaques will be awarded to the first 100 cars registered and more than 50 trophies will be presented for cars that meet the informal standards. 

Like Harkavy, Smith feels a bond with his fellow antique automobile collectors.

"It's a wonderful hobby," Smith said, "and the people you meet—I've coined the phrase 'if the world was like car people you can lay down your armaments.'"