The Hagerty Drivers Foundation returned to Washington, D.C. for the National Independence Day Parade. Classics cruised down Constitution Avenue to celebrate our shared American automotive culture and our freedom to enjoy it! The Hagerty Drivers Foundation presented a Graham which was documented in the National Historic Vehicle Register, and was accompanied by a pair of cars brought by Hagerty helping to represent the different aspects of automotive history in America on this patriotic holiday!

Significant as an automotive style leader, the 1933 Graham leading the convoy features aerodynamic design elements never before implemented by its competitors. The Blue Streak boasts a slanted grille, concealed radiator cap, skirted fenders, and a low-slung chassis, which made the vehicle appear less as a collection of parts and more as a unified, elegant form. These were all features quickly adopted by much larger rival manufacturers immediately following! The advanced design of the Blue Streak was a surprising offering from a Great Depression-era manufacturer, but it proved to be a wise decision for Graham, making a profit during a time when many American auto manufacturers were forced to close their doors for good. Today, the Graham is a rare car, and perfect examples are exceedingly uncommon. The NB Center for American Automotive Heritage, current caretaker of the vehicle, restored this Graham in-house so that it may stand as a testament to this chapter of American automotive history. In 2018, the Hagerty Drivers Foundation added this Graham to the National Historic Vehicle Register for its historical significance, cementing its story in the Library of Congress, housed in our Nation’s Capital. Read more about his car here.

Following the Blue Streak was the Hagerty Learning Garage’s 1960 Plymouth Fury, representative of a high point in American space-age optimism that shines through its fantastic style, featuring gargantuan tailfins and heaps of chrome plating. Joining the Fury from the Hagerty Learning Garage was another American automotive icon – a 1967 Camaro RS.

Stay tuned for the Hagerty Drivers Foundation again in D.C. this September, for the annual “Cars at the Capital” exhibit, a pop-up car museum on the National Mall that showcases American automotive history for the public to enjoy!