A 1971 Plymouth Cuda Just Won Best in Show, and Landrum Had One of Its Best Days of the Year

 

By Jon Tharp, Broker  ·  June 3, 2026

Larry McGrath pulled up to North Trade Avenue with his 1971 Plymouth Cuda and went home with the Best of Show trophy at the Dark Corner Classic Car Show in Landrum. The restored muscle car impressed judges and spectators throughout the day, in a field of more than 300 classic and custom vehicles.

The show filled downtown Landrum on Saturday, May 30, drawing thousands of visitors from across the region for a day that ran from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Landrum sits just south of the North Carolina state line in the foothills, about 50 miles from Asheville via I-26. Polk County, NC starts just across the border.

What is the Dark Corner Classic Car Show?

The Dark Corner Classic runs annually on North Trade Avenue in Landrum, bringing together car enthusiasts, local business owners, food vendors, and live music for a full day. Judges handed out trophies throughout the afternoon, and the Peanut Price Memorial Award went to James Campbell for his 1969 Chevy Truck. That award carries real meaning in Landrum. It is named for a local figure whose dedication to the community left a lasting mark, and it goes to a vehicle that reflects that spirit rather than the shiniest paint job in the lot.

Local businesses are a big part of what makes the show work. Katie Eubanks of Eubanks Farm Store and Matt Padula of Highland Design and Construction were among the owners who set up at the event. "We just like to come down and hang out with the community and see the cool cars that we have around town," Eubanks said. That captures the tone of the day: less a formal exhibition, more a street party where the cars are the draw.

Where does the "Dark Corner" name actually come from?

The name has roots in the post-Civil War era, when this remote stretch of upstate South Carolina and the western North Carolina foothills became notorious for moonshining, tax resistance, and a general refusal to cooperate with outside authority. Revenue agents largely avoided the area. Locals took pride in that. The "Dark Corner" nickname stuck, and over generations it shifted from a cautionary label into a badge of pride on both sides of the state line.

The car show carries that independent spirit in a more welcoming form. A community that once prized self-reliance now gathers to celebrate the craftsmanship that goes into restoring a 50-year-old muscle car.

How does the Dark Corner Classic give back?

All proceeds from the 2026 show went to the Landrum Youth Football Program, which received a $5,000 check at the event. The funds are earmarked for new helmets, equipment, and safety gear for the young Cardinals. "Your support made this event a success and directly invested in the future of our community and youth," said organizer Tricia Taber.

The businesses sponsor it, the volunteers run it, and the proceeds stay local. It has become one of the most reliable community days on the calendar in this part of the Carolinas.

What is it about this stretch of the mountains that keeps drawing people back?

The Landrum and Tryon corridor sits about 50 minutes from Asheville via I-26 and offers mountain access without the prices that come with being closer to the city. Tryon, NC, just a few miles north of Landrum across the state line, is home to the Tryon International Equestrian Center, one of the top equestrian venues in the country. The surrounding Polk County area has rolling farmland and well-kept small-town downtowns, and more buyers have been moving here as Asheville prices have climbed.

The Dark Corner Classic is a good reason to spend a Saturday down here. If you have questions about what the market looks like in Polk County and the communities along the NC/SC border, Jon Tharp is glad to talk.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the Dark Corner Classic Car Show held?

The Dark Corner Classic Car Show takes place annually on North Trade Avenue in downtown Landrum, South Carolina, typically in late May or early June. The 2026 show ran on Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Landrum sits just south of the North Carolina state line, roughly 50 miles from Asheville via I-26, making it an easy day trip for Western Carolina residents. The event draws thousands of attendees and features more than 300 classic and custom vehicles, live music, food vendors, and a full trophy presentation including a Best of Show award.

What does the "Dark Corner" name mean?

The Dark Corner refers to a remote stretch of upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina along the Blue Ridge foothills that gained a rough reputation in the post-Civil War era. The area was known for moonshining, a strong resistance to federal revenue agents, and general self-reliance that made outsiders unwelcome. Revenue collectors largely avoided the region, and locals embraced the reputation. Over generations the nickname shifted from a cautionary label to a source of local pride. The annual car show carries that independent, community-driven spirit forward in a much more welcoming form.

What charity does the Dark Corner Classic Car Show support?

The Dark Corner Classic Car Show donates all proceeds to a local cause selected each year. In 2026, the beneficiary was the Landrum Youth Football Program, which received a $5,000 check at the event. The funds were designated for new helmets, equipment, and safety gear for the young Cardinals. Organizer Tricia Taber emphasized that the community support, from participants and sponsors to volunteers and attendees, directly invests in the area's youth and future. The event's charitable component is one of the reasons local businesses show up in force to participate each year.

What is the Peanut Price Memorial Award at the Dark Corner Classic?

The Peanut Price Memorial Award is a special recognition given at the Dark Corner Classic Car Show honoring a vehicle that embodies the spirit of Peanut Price, a local figure known for his dedication and passion for the Landrum community. The award does not go to the most polished or most valuable car. It recognizes a vehicle, and by extension an owner, that captures something genuine about the community's character and automotive history. In 2026, the award went to James Campbell for his 1969 Chevy Truck. It is one of the more meaningful awards given at the show.

Is the Landrum and Tryon area a good place to live near Asheville?

The Landrum and Tryon corridor along the NC/SC border has become increasingly attractive to buyers who want mountain access and small-town character without the price premiums that come with living closer to Asheville. Tryon, NC, just a few miles north of Landrum, is home to the Tryon International Equestrian Center, one of the top equestrian venues in the country, and the surrounding Polk County area offers rolling farmland, scenic foothills, and well-established small-town downtowns. The area sits about 45 to 50 minutes from Asheville via I-26 and draws buyers looking for more land, lower costs, and a genuine sense of community.