Brian Pavlich
One fine spring day, somewhere along the Natchez Trace …
Here's one for the "So Close …" department. On a beautiful spring day in early March our correspondent and photographer Brian Pavlich drove his utterly prosaic SUV to Natchez, Mississippi. Their mission: Capture a cover-worthy photograph featuring five of the most beautiful vehicles ever built. Their destination: Mount Locust Historic Site—a circa 1780 building and the last surviving of more than fifty travelers' inns that once lined the Natchez Trace between Natchez and its terminus in Nashville, Tennessee. With hundreds of highly desirable Porsches, Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, and Ducatis descending on Natchez for the Euro Fest Classic Car and Motorcycle Show on the weekend of April 3–4, they reasoned, what better picture to feature on the cover of Country Roads' April Adventure issue than one of five pieces of gorgeous automotive art swooping along the Trace at the height of springtime.
Best-laid plans … As the whole world now knows, the week following our photoshoot brought the cancellation of Euro Fest and every other event taking place across the country as COVID-19 continued its relentless spread. Plans for our April magazine cover had to change too, leaving our classic car photo shoot all dressed up, so to speak, with nowhere to go.
But the resulting pictures were too good not to share. So until it's safe to go outside again here's a sneak peek at five of the beautiful vehicles you'll be able to see in Natchez in April 2021, when the Euro Fest Classic Car Show returns. We are very grateful to the drivers, who brought their rare and valuable vehicles out to the Trace from Natchez, and as far afield as Baton Rouge and Jackson, Mississippi; then patiently drove around all day long while we photographed them. Thanks to them all, and to Euro Fest show organizer Mr. Mike Marsh, who made the arrangements. Until next year …
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One spring day along the Natchez Trace …
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A 2003 Ferrari 575 Maranello, driven by Thad McLauren of Jackson, Mississippi.
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R-Robert (Bobee) Leake, astride his 1967 Triumph Bonneville T 120.
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A 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, driven and beloved by Mr. Richard Branyan of Lower Lodge Antiques, Natchez, Mississippi
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Richard Branyan at the wheel of his 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith.
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Rick Huber in his 1964 Austin Healey 3000.
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Marc Doyle with his 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet - one of several he owns.
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