Global Navigation
Global Na

Earlier today, a few "Cruisers" and friends of the Nature Coast Corvairs, headed out to their picnic near Inverness, Florida, at the Fort Cooper State Park. That is another story. Linda an I  left the picnic early enough to get to Old Town to see some of the 350 plus Corvettes that were participating in "OctoberVettes", this annual show moved to Old Town a few years ago and is always a favorite of the spectators. We were about to leave the "Ronald Regan Turnpike" when a smell came into the heater ducts on our Corvair. Just then the Idiot Light came on for the Generator/Engine. I once again let the engine slow down and turned off the key. We then rolled to a stop on the shoulder of the road just before the toll booth. I immediately got the tool kit from the "Frunk" and went to the back of the car to put the V-Belt back on the engine.

After a few minutes the task was completed, we were right on time to meet Bill, Virginia and Trevor near the intersection of Highway 27 and 192 at 3:30 for the trip to Old Town. This was not going to happen, after paying the toll, they guy collecting the money mentioned that he had a Corvair just like ours once, and just making it onto Highway 27, the Light came back on. Repeating the steps to replace the belt were once again in order. Only this time when I opened the engine compartment I saw the belt in 3 pieces! STRANDED this time I quickly got on the phone to see if Bill could pick up a belt and meet us where we sat. Bill was just starting up the Ole Mercedes to head out to Old Town, he agreed that they could pick it up and bring it to us. This now meant we would not make it there until almost 5:00. The 'Vettes would be gone.

Twenty minutes or so later I had the Mercedes in site, they had to pass us by in the North bound lane and make a turn around to get to us. Three minutes later, with one new belt on the engine the two old cars headed out for the "Saturday Nite Cruise®" better late than never. "Trevor to the rescue!" oh yes Bill and Virginia too.

We pulled onto the frontage road and lined up with the other cars waiting the gate to open. Tom and Joe both yelled out to us that we were late! This was true Linda and I are usually in our spot on "Trophy Row" by 2:30. As I suspected the 'Vettes all rolled out about 4:00PM when the gates closed for the staff's break.

Reports of rain all around Old Town were coming in on the radio and telephone, we encouraged the Cruisers that called us to come out anyway as it looked like the rain had passed over and that the night would be dry.

At this late time our regular spot had already been taken and just a few of the "Regulars" were on "Trophy Row". Several cars that I have only seen a few times. Bob Berube brought out his '72 442 Olds for the first time. I saw Ray and Carm in place. Bob Nagro came out but in his Daily Driver and met up with Ron Bozarth and John & Jennifer Robinson, just back from a Midwestern US tour, that they did right after arriving from England, good seeing them and the little red Mustang back out.

Three "Cruisers" from England, that actually brought their cars from England were in the crowd tonight. They were sans the cars as Customs had a SNAFU. Jay, Mark and Gus will have their American Cars from England on the brick streets next week. They have promised me a story about their adventure on the month long adventure.

At 8:30PM the fifteen year old tradition once again WOW'd a near record crowd of spectators as the cars rolled past them on Deac Hundley Blvd.

On to the flag winners

Bob & Marge Melendy* with a Green '28 Dodge
Gary & Kathy Collins with a Red '66 Ford
Steve & Linda Butler** with a White '61 Corvair
Frank Kane with a Orange '68 Chevelle
Milton Perez with a Black and White '56 Mercury
Carmen Jim with a Green '62 VW
Anthony Fisher with a Burgundy '68 Mustang
Rocky Mariaidro with a Blue '65 Ford
Miguel Lopez with a Green '68 Ford
*Regulars at "Mustang Mike's" Saint Cloud Thursday Nite Cruise-In.
** Yes that is yours truly! Our third flag in as many years.

Click here for the complete listing to date for 2005

On to a few photos.

Congratulations to the winners! We'll see you next week!