Tri Town Cruzers, May 28th, 2010

Friday evening saw Cruisin’ Photography take its second trip to CT Golf Land in Vernon for the Tri Town Cruzers Friday night cruise. As seems to be the case with this club, the cruise was another very well attended event.

Some superb cars were to be found. Some of the standouts were a fabulous, all-original 1954 Chevrolet four-door sedan and a great selection of Chevy Corvettes. Upholding Ford honors were Kim Kerr’s 1976 Ford Falcon XB “MadMax” from Australia and a healthy gathering of Mustangs from all eras.

To describe the event in just a few lines really wouldn’t do it justice. Next time you have a free Friday why not take a ride to Vernon and have a look for yourself?

Cruisin’s Star Car

Say hello to “Molly”, our latest star car. This 1932 Buick Series 50 Four-Door Sedan belongs to Pat, our first female star car owner, from Manchester, CT.

Pat told Cruisin’: “As I grew up, I started to became interested in cars. When I was 16, I found a car that I liked. It cost $100, which back then was like a million and my mother wasn’t giving me the money. To earn some money, I started babysitting. I made 25 cents a night, never 50. I was never able to buy the car.

“I bought Molly around four years ago. I liked her because, like me, she was born in the thirties. A friend of mine found the car on the Internet and sent me a picture. The Buick looked just as you see her here.

“The paint is blue, but as the sun rises and sets everyday, it makes it look different colors. Sometimes it’s a little more purplish or black. The eight-cylinder engine [345ci] runs well. I love the interior. I love being surrounded by all of the windows. On a warm day I have them all rolled down!

“I drive it to the grocery store – people usually come over to look and ask questions. I am usually at Vernon every Friday night. I might go to three-to-four shows a week.”

Mark’s Classic Cruise, May 24th, 2010

Another successful Mark’s Classic Cruise was held on Monday evening. With temperatures in the 80s it was ideal weather for strolling and taking in the 559 cars gathered together. At the end of the cruise the awards were given out and the trophy winners were:

Gerry Gates’ 1933 Ford Coupe
Don Breveleri’s 1931 Ford Model A
Ernest Smith’s 1925 Rolls Royce

and the 1931 Ford Model A of Paul and Ed Majeski

Cruisin’s Star Car

My pappy said, “Son, you're gonna' drive me to drinkin' if you don't stop drivin' that Hot Rod Lincoln.”

While the classic song may have been based around our star car’s hardtop brother, there’s no denying that this 1954 Lincoln Capri Convertible is one hot ride.

Farmington, CT resident Walter has owned this awesome machine since 1976. Walter was reading Hemmings Motor News and saw the car advertised. He traveled to Northern New Jersey and bought it. The car hadn’t been on the road in decades so he crossed his fingers and drove it home in a January snowstorm. The Lincoln made the trip without any problems - other than the fact that the gas gauge and heater didn’t work!

Walter found that the car had 32,000 miles on the odometer and still had the original drive train installed. This consisted of a 315ci Y-Block V8 engine, the first of the Y-Block OHV V8s that Ford built. This motor was produced in 1952 and was only used in Lincolns. In 1953 the engine gained a four-barrel carburetor. The engine is tamed by a four-speed General Motors Hydra-Matic transmission, which is the same trans that Cadillac, Pontiac and Olds would have used in the era. The Capri also features full ball-joint front suspension - so it handles pretty well for the era - power steering, power brakes and power windows.

Walter has had a lot of cosmetic and upholstery work done to the car. It’s also been repainted. Walter told us: “When I bought it was this color, I had it stripped and repainted five years ago. My wife and I only drive it in the summer and it comes out pretty much every weekend if the weather’s nice.

“Every August we take it up to Stowe, Vermont for the big car show there. We also go to the road race Lincoln* meet wherever the club has it. This year it’s up in Bar Harbor, Maine. We don’t take it to a lot of shows, but we’re not afraid to drive it a reasonable distance.

“It’s a good, reliable car. This is the only collector car I have. I’ve had it so long, I couldn’t picture parting with it.”

*The hardtop Capri was an unlikely hero of 1950s road racing, a luxury car that earned fame in the grueling 2,135mile Carrera Panamericana. Lincoln finished first, second and 10th in the large stock class in 1954.

Connecticut GTO Club, Hooters Cruise Night, May 21st, 2010

The CT GTO Club (http://www.ctgtoclub.org/) began its 2010 cruise season with 100+ cars in attendance on Friday, May 21st at Hooters, Wethersfield.

In 2009, the cruise was given the award of “Best Cruise Night” by the readers of Connecticut Cruise News (http://www.ctcruisenews.com/). With ample parking, friendly car owners and an occasional visit from the Hooters girls it’s easy to see why it got the vote.

A varied array of cars greeted the cruise visitors. Muscle cars, trucks, classics and a wild Ford Model T offered plenty of viewing pleasure. Later in the evening a rare 1955 DeSoto FireFlite appeared in the parking lot. When we went over to have a chat with the owner he proclaimed that he did not think that the car was worthy of being at the cruise. Needless to say he was put straight by more than a few show goers! The owner explained that the car belonged to his grandfather and it had never been displayed at a cruise before. Let’s hope that it becomes a regular visitor from now on…

Cruisin’s Star Car

Our Hooters star car of the night is this unusual 1961 Studebaker Lark VIII. Bill, the proud owner from Meriden, CT, has owned the car since 2003.

He found the Lark on a farm in East Granby, CT. It was not a barn find; it was in fair condition and was for sale for $500. The car had 58,000 original miles on it, was a tan color, and had a six-cylinder engine at the time. Bill bought it as a tribute to his grandfather who had owned a Studebaker many years ago.

Bill wanted to keep an original engine under the hood, but at the time it was an expensive option. He found a Mustang II that had a 351ci Windsor V8 engine in it so he bought the car to use for donor parts. The front of the Mustang was removed and the front clip and engine were grafted into the Studie, giving it a “gasser” stance, or as Bill called it a “West Coast Rake”. Backing up the 351 is a C4 automatic transmission and an eight-inch Ford rear end.

Bill told Cruisin’: “It can move. It’s lots of fun and I love it. I haven’t tried the car on the drag strip yet, but I may. The project is not complete. I need to finish the interior, have the bumpers re-chromed and paint the car again.”

Bill’s previous rides include a 1966 Chevelle, with a 327ci, 365bhp engine, a 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix – the first year of the Grand Prix – and a 1955 Chevrolet.

Over The Hill Gang Connecticut Chapter, Arby’s, May 20th, 2010

Glorious evening sunshine greeted the cruisers for the second Over The Hill Gang cruise night at Arby’s on the Berlin Turnpike. Around 60 cars ensured that the cruise was another successful event for the host club.

Among the varied selection of cars on display was a 550bhp 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air that was used in the last Indiana Jones movie, a beautiful Grabber Orange Boss 302 Mustang, several 1930s -style hot rods and a Chevrolet Del Ray.

The award for “People’s Choice” went to a purple 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, while the “Club Award” was given to 1932 Ford Roadster (both pictured above).

Cruisin’s Star Car

Cruisin’s car of the evening was this beautiful 1957 Ford Fairlane belonging to Middletown resident, Steve.

He has owned the retractable hardtop Ford for eight-and-a-half years. Steve found the car for sale in a newspaper. After pacing the kitchen floor for hours, deciding if he should buy it or not, he contacted a friend who lived in New Orleans and asked if he would take a look at it for him. Steve’s contact gave the car the thumbs up, so Steve bought it and had the Fairlane shipped back to CT. The car was given to his wife as a birthday present (thanks Steve, you have given my wife all sorts of great ideas for her next birthday!).

Steve did a few jobs on the Ford, but it arrived in pretty much the same condition as it is now. The car is completely original, and that includes the blue-and-white paint scheme. It has a stock 312ci motor with a four-barrel carb. The car also has a “Continental Kit” that adds around 18 inches to the car’s length, thus making parking even more of an art! Since owning the Ford, Steve and his wife have added 4,000 miles to the 88,000 that were already on the odometer.

Steve told Cruisin’ that he “really enjoys driving the car during the summer with the top down. It’s different. It’s a retractable hardtop, and there’s not too many of them around.”

Mark's Classic Cruise, East Granby, May 17th, 2010

After two attempts that were thwarted by bad weather, the season opener for Mark’s Classic Cruise in East Granby, CT was held on Monday, May 17th (http://www.markscruisenight.com/).

We had been told that it was a well-attended event, but nothing prepared us for around 650 cars. The field was packed! The viewing bleachers, benches, and picnic tables were filled with spectators looking on as a long snake of classic, vintage, muscle and anything else you can name cars arrived.

Wandering the field was an experience. Car after car had features to enjoy and photograph. The only problem that we had was not enough time to see everything and talk to all of the car owners!

Cruisin’s Star Car

At a show with 650 cars in attendance, it was going to take something very special to be chosen as Cruisin’s Star Car. Our choice is, in our opinion, very, very special. Feast your eyes on this superb 1959 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer Super D-500 Convertible.

Naif, the lucky owner, has had this beauty since the early 1990s, but decided to have it restored around five years ago. The car was bought from a collector in New Jersey. After finding the car, Naif flew out to see it, bought it there and then and drove it back despite a few problems.

He told Cruisin’ that the Dodge was in a wonderful rust-free condition when he obtained it, but it was not in these colors. When the car was given its frame-off restoration it was returned to the original paint scheme.

The Dodge is a highly optioned car. It has a rare, and new-for-1959, Super D-500 383ci, 345bhp, overhead-valve V8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor. Other extras include TorqueFlite automatic transmission, with push-button drive, power steering, power brakes and swiveling seats. The car is very rare. Naif believes that only four or five remain in the world.

The car has been featured in several magazines and was invited to a prestigious Concours d’Elegance held in Meadow Brook, MI in 2009. It took second place in its class.

While Naif owns several cars he uses the Dodge regularly. He has received several six-figure offers for the D-500 that have all been politely refused! A base-model custom Convertible Royal was sold by dealers for $3,370 in 1959, but only 984 customers opted for this body style. Fewer still added the potent Super D-500 engine, which added another $415 to the base price.

Naif is looking forward to showing the car at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance on June 5th.

Blackstone & Grace's Cruise, May 16th, 2010

Sunday saw the Cheshire 2010 Summer Cruise presented by Blackstone’s Irish pub and Grace’s Restaurant at their premises in Milldale, CT. This event was the first of 10 dates planned for the year.

Around 50 cars turned out for what turned out to be a very enjoyable couple of hours. A varied gathering of vehicles filled the parking lot. Among the attendees were a superb Packard Clipper, plenty of muscle cars, and a healthy gathering of pick-up trucks.

Drawing a lot of attention was Todd Vaillancourt’s 1987 Astro van ‘Van Former’. The radical Lamborghini-style doored machine drew plenty of visitors to admire its stunning airbrushed artwork applied by Jamie Chase at Explicit Airbrush of Southington (www.explicitairbrush.com). Todd and his wife were returning to home after showing the van at another show earlier in the day where it took the ‘Best Of Show’ award. Todd is an active member of the New England Van Council (www.newenglandvancouncil.com).

Cruisin’s Star Car

Cruisin’s Star Car is this red-hot 1934 Ford Coupe. A 350ci engine and a Turbo 350 transmission running to a Ford nine-inch rear end with 3:73 gears keeps the car moving right along.

Art, the proud owner, found the Ford three years ago while reading Hot Rod Hotline. He made the trip to South Carolina and saw basically a shell with great potential, which he had shipped back to Connecticut, where he’s been working on it ever since.

Art has always been a fan of flames, so they cover the hood and run down the side of the car thanks to Ray Langdeau and Chasse’s Auto Body Inc. in Wolcott (www.chassesautomall.com), who did the paint. Explicit Airbrush of Southington provided the artwork on the trunk in keeping with Art’s vision for the car.

Art drives the car all the time and doesn’t trailer it. The self-avowed "Car Guy," who has previously owned a 1953 Henry J and a ’33 Plymouth Coupe, plans to frequent as many car shows and have as much fun as he can with the Ford Coupe.

Charter Oak Firebirds, Panera Bread Show, May 15th, 2010

A turnout of 110 vehicles helped the Charter Oak Firebirds open their 2010 cruisin’ season on Saturday evening at Panera Bread on the Berlin Turnpike. An interesting array of vehicles filed the parking lot. Among the standouts were a superb Chevy Nomad, an AMC Rambler, several vintage Corvettes, plus plenty of classic Pontiac Firebirds. Unlike past weekends, the weather co-operated, and the show’s visitors enjoyed the warm late evening sunshine as they took in the cars.

The Charter Oak Firebirds (http://www.charteroakbirds.com/), founded in 2004, welcomes new members who have an interest in the Pontiac Firebird, even if you don’t own one, yet!

Cruisin’ Star Car

Dennis’s 1980 Lincoln Town Coupe was selected as Cruisin’s Star Car. After finding it online, he flew out to Chicago to see it in October of last year, and purchased it from the original owner. Dennis, who had owned a brand new Town Car in 1985, then made the 1,000-mile trip home behind the wheel of his latest acquisition.

The car is one of 4,000 Town Coupes that were built in 1980. Major changes from the 1979 model reduced the body by 12 inches in length, along with the loss of 900lb from the car’s total weight. The vehicle features a 351ci Windsor engine, though most of the Town Coupes had 302s under the hood.

The odometer reads 53,000 miles, and Dennis expects to log many more, taking in as many car shows as possible.

Saturday, Dennis’ dog Bridget made her 2010 car show debut, and drew her own group of admirers.

Over The Hill Gang Connecticut Chapter, Arby's, May 13th, 2010

Cruisin’ Photography was reminded that it takes more than great cars to make a good cruise/show when the Over The Hill Gang Connecticut Chapter staged its first summer cruise of 2010. Debuting at its new location of Arby’s on the Berlin Turnpike there was a good turn out of quality cars; but it was the friendliness of the club members and car owners that made this one of the most enjoyable cruises of the year.

The well-attended event had cars to cater for all tastes as vintage, classics, and muscle cars – old and new, trucks, rods and customs filled the parking lot. Car owners fielded questions from interested show visitors long into the night. This was one of those events where as you leave you say: “See you next week” not ‘I’ll be back before the season is over.” It really was that enjoyable.

Cruisin’ would like to thank everyone, especially Lise Couture, who made Kathy and I so welcome.

The Over the Hill Gang of Connecticut (http://www.overthehillgangct.bizland.com/) is a family oriented antique car club that participates in shows, cruises, charity events, and more, to promote the sport of street rodding and fellowship among its members. The association sets out to advance the safety, preservation, and enjoyment of modified automobiles of 20 years or older through organizing and promoting various shows and cruises. In addition, the non-profit club seeks to support the community by way of assorted donations and fundraisers. The club is a proud member of the National Street Rod Association. us to promote good and safe road ethics.

Cruisin’s Star Car

Our choice for car of the show goes to Rick’s awesome 1956 Chevrolet Corvette. Rick has owned it for 12 years. The ‘Vette was fully restored nine years ago with the majority of the work being carried out by Final Finish in Branford, Connecticut (http://www.the-final-finish.com/). The car is in its original colors of black and silver with a superb red interior. Rick also has both of the factory tops for the car making it the complete car.

The Corvette is a matching numbers car, meaning that it exactly how it left the factory 44 years ago. Motive power comes from a 265ci motor that gives out 225bhp, while the transmission is a 2-speed Powerglide automatic. Rick stated that only 10% of the 1956 batch of Corvettes had that particular arrangement.

Rick is proud to say his car is a driver’s car and is used regularly. He also takes in plenty of car shows and, as you can imagine, has plenty of fun while doing so!