Cars and Coffee at KC Automotive Museum attracts wide range of vehicles

From Kevin Ringer’s 1959 Edsel Ranger to Ken Jones’ 2013 Mustang, cars from many eras arrived on a beautiful November morning at the Kansas City Automotive Museum for Cars and Coffee.

On the first and third Saturday of each month throughout the year, the automotive museum, at 15095 W. 116^th St., in Olathe, plays host to this car event that features all types of cars, coffee, donuts and an opportunity to view the museum.

Ringer, who is from Kansas City, heard about Cars and Coffee from a friend and decided to try it out for the first time on Nov. 7. It was an opportunity to bring a car that many people haven’t seen before.

“I have had it for a year and a half,” Ringer said. “It was my father-in-law’s car. He bought it new in 1959. It has been in the family its whole life. The cool thing about it is it is a rare car.”

Ringer’s car definitely attracted some attention as people arrived for the car event that runs from 8 to 10 a.m.

Vreni Fernandez, executive director at the museum, liked hearing that there were people attending the Nov. 7 Cars and Coffee for the first time.

“The more we interact with new people, the more we realize how much the word is getting out on the museum,” Fernandez said. “It is encouraging that we are not just getting repeat customers, but new customers.

One of the things Fernandez enjoys seeing is when children come to the automotive museum with their grandfathers.

“That is my favorite thing,” she said. “We want to educate and preserve, and what better way than with the kids.

“Kids come in with their grandparents and they get so excited when they walk through and the grandparents go through the collection. They say, ‘This is something I used to have.’”

By looking at Ringer’s car and then seeing Jones’ 2013 Mustang, a young person is able to gain greater appreciation for how much cars have changed over the years.

Jones has been coming to Cars and Coffee for the last six months. He enjoys going to car cruises, attending as many as three in a week during the summer.

“You meet new people and see their cars,” Jones said.

Before he started attending Cars and Coffee, Jones heard about the museum, but didn’t know where it was. Cars and Coffee changed that.

“Yes, I have been inside,” Jones said. “It is nice.”

Matt Fenaroli, president of the automotive museum, likes the fact that the museum provides an avenue for people to bring their cars to show during the winter months.

“They normally have these cars in their garages,” Fenaroli said. “It is fun to get your car out. We have a passion for cars. The museum is the place that is a focal point for the car-driving community. That is what Cars and Coffee is. It is a reason to bring your car out.

“You come down, hang out, look at other cool cars and meet like-minded people.”

It is that type of atmosphere that drew Roger Spears of Gardner to Cars and Coffee for the first time. Spears drove his fiberglass replica 1933 Ford three-window coupe.

“The season is kind of coming to an end,” Spears said. “I have been messing with the fuel injection tuning of it. I found a hidden flaw in one of the correction curves. It has gotten a lot more friendly to me (to drive) and thought this is a good morning to get out.

“The whole Cars and Coffee idea is a great way for people to get together. It is not limited to any one segment. It is car guys and gals gathering to talk.”

Fernandez said there will be a wide range of events at the museum in 2016.

“Cars and Coffee is one of many events we have planned for next year,” she said. “We are working on an events schedule for next year that you will see in January. We will have a lot of fun stuff.”

This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 6:12 PM with the headline "Cars and Coffee at KC Automotive Museum attracts wide range of vehicles."