July 28th

The last "Saturday Nite Cruise©" for July 2007. Our caravan would only be the 3 Corvairs today, Tony & Sharon in their '62 Coupe, Mike & Kristen in their '64 convertible and Linda and I were in our '61 Coupe. We drove through a few light sprinkles and it was clouding up a bit. Looks like that 60% chance of rain might be falling a little earlier today. The only problem with this is that it makes the car counts a bit lower.

Gary was at the gate when we arrived at 1:45. Bratt was at the "Registration Area" along with Kathy. Greg was visiting while on a break. As we made the turn by the clock onto "Trophy Row" "Big John's" GT 350 was spotted in his favorite spot. "The Looney Bin" had Bob and his green GMC and Cris & Larry had the Camaro tail lighted Mustang next to it. Roger & Sue were out in the "Luck 'Vette". That is about all that was around. Kristen was the "Gatekeeper" as we all crossed over Florida Plaza to our favorite spot. There was a newer car parked in one of our places. One of the upper office occupants.  Alan stopped by for a chat and to pick up his newsletter as did Joe. Allan confirmed Tony's "Cruiser of the Month" status for next month. Joe stopped by for a few minutes. Just after we were done "moving in" about 2:45 the rain fell. It was a very heavy and windy rain event.  Linda went to find shelter with Tony & Sharon and have a cup of coffee. I headed up to the top blocks when the rain let up a bit to deliver the newsletters.

Tonight the rain let up for us to go eat, we made our usual walk to "Flippers" of course we visited with all that had come in. Bert & "Ernie" had their '66 Comet wagon, with it's shiny new smooth chrome wheels and baby moons. parked in the "Looney Bin" by now. Mark had that great Super Stock Plymouth out, parked next to Mike's "Vette. Ken was "Country Clubbing" I guess. Emil had his "Fat Fendered Ford near the top of Block 1. Shane had his '57 Chevy next to him. As we enjoyed our meal served up to us by Jane, whom took great care of us, we watched a few cars come in. Tonight would be a Cruise of "Die Hards" the ones that make sure that "Rain or Shine" the Cruise goes on. I stopped by to visit with Mike Singer for a moment at "Old Town Radio". There were a few more cars on display so it took a while to get back to Block 4 and the rain was gone. Bob & Marge in their '68 SS396 Chevelle parked in the vacated spot next to us and there was room in our emergency spot for Nick & Fran in their '32 Ford 5 Window coupe. Our 5 cars were all there was at the top of block 4 other than a '56 Chevy pickup and a '63 Fairlane four door.  The "General Store" had a late model red Ford GT on display under the un occupied beer tent. It drew a big crowd. Mark showed up from Parrish but the T-Bucket didn't make it out of the trailer. He rarely misses a Cruise. Graham, from Manchester, England, checked in over the HAM radio a little late but he always likes to get an on the spot report of how the day was going. The rest of the night was spent as usual, visiting with all that stopped by and Car Talk.

Nikki  stopped by with the "Flag Winners" just after 8:00. The "Cruiser of the Month", Dave Lowe in his '67 Plymouth was being led to block 4, that becomes the staging area at this time, by Bratt, Lee & Dave. Followed by the rest of the cars from the top 3 blocks. Mike Singer, that had been playing his usual mix of nostalgic music and jingles along with the "Rain Songs", got word that we were ready to Cruise so he gave the safety announcements, had a moment of silence in memory of Clint Olson, played the National Anthem, "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed, "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise", right on time, for this the 892nd running of this tradition, the cars then hit the bricks of "Deac Hundley Avenue", delighting the very wet crowd of spectators. There would be a total of 83 cars rolling by them on this Soggy Summer Night. "Rain or Shine" this Cruise goes on, always a treat for those of us in it as well as those watching it from the sidewalks and boulevards.

Thank you Old Town for letting us, the curators of this "Rolling Display of Automotive History", the cars that are the "Stars", to be their guests this evening. Thank you to the Old Town Merchants Association and the Sponsors of this event, Valvoline, Tags With Class, "Wound and Around", "Flippers" & the A&W to name a few. Thank you to Allan, Joe, Gary, Lee, Bratt, Kathy, Nikki, along with the entire Cruise Staff and our fellow Cruisers for making this our 244th consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one.

Tonight we would come back for part 2, I had to take a photo of Tony collecting his prizes for tonight's flag win. Allan was doing his high energy presentation that he is noted for. We got to hear the Cruise Staff sign off for the night. The thing I can't figure out is why the vendor that is set up, has to drive in from Florida Plaza against the foot traffic and the cars leaving just as drawings are over. Waiting a few minutes it would not be so busy and maybe a little safer. Just my opinion. I hope it is that they just don't know better.

On to the Flag Winners...

Tonight's random drawing winners that and received the coveted "Old Town Checkered Flag" along with $25 cash, A Case of Oil from Valvoline and a drink from the Tropical Breeze.

Larry & Cris  Day*
  1965  Ford  Mustang

Juan  Moralles*
  1955  Chevrolet  Pick Up

Tony & Sharon  De Blasio*
  1962  Chevrolet  Corvair

Shane  Massey 
  1957  Chevrolet  Bel Air

Maurice  Boetto 
  1963  Ford  Fairlane

Mike  Colletta 
  1963  Chevrolet  Corvette

Bob  Brunner**
  1952  Chevrolet  Pick Up

Mark  Munas 
  1966  Chevrolet  Corvair

On to the Photos... after this.

 Here are the Photos.
Click on any photo for a larger view.

Click on any photo for a larger view.

 See you all "Out there"

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