November 17th

Sunshine, 70 degrees! Steve Mc, K4SKM, in his '41 Willys pickup called on the radio as we were ready to leave the house. We met up with him on the bridge just past the Toll Plaza and rolled our way to Old Town for yet another Saturday night, John, KG4BFJ, a fellow HAM and spectator was going to join us for the day and had already arrived in the spectator parking. Gary was at the gate and greeted us with that welcoming smile of his, Greg was there on his golf kart, Gary gave us details about the "Primrose Center Charity Mixed Car Show" that had been going on since 9:00AM. I am sure it was the cold of the morning that had the participation at 30 cars. However it was a good show. We had to follow Joe & Greg in the golf karts down the bricks. Bratt was at the Registration point. As we made the turn at the clock there was Roger's '55 Chevy in it's place of honor with fellow "Redline Rodders". Roger, Sue & company were at the bottom of Block 3. We were the first in Block 4. We caught up with one another and chatted with John. Bill & Doris stopped by. Linda interviewed them for next weeks newsletter. Ed & "Evel One" as her tag now says, arrived in their '64 Corvair Coupe. Dan Z came across Florida Plaza in his '63 Corvair convertible followed by Jeff in his '59 Edsel. Linda, John & I headed up to see who was in "Town" and drop of the newsletters. Most of the other "Redline Rodders" and several of the "Drop Your Top" bunch from Brevard County were in block 2 across from Bob, with his GMC pickup and Cris & Larry in their '69 Mustang in the "Looney Bin". More of the "Redline Rodders" were in place at the top of Block 2 with John and the "Double Nickel Express". Ben, Karen and family were in their favorite spot. Gary was out with his son in the Mustang, Charlie was already setting with Emil behind the '48 Ford. Mark, Mike & Ken had the 2 'Vettes and the Camaro across from them. By now most of the show cars from earlier in the day had left. We went back down to Block 4 and T Rod, KI4GJS, fellow HAM and friend of the Cruise arrived, he came out tonight to take some Photos for the website and join in on the day.

Graham, W4HFG, and Carole, who had been in Florida for a week bid their "Farewells" over the radio on the way to the Airport. Just after they would have boarded the plane, Ian, G4ZPZ, came over the radio from Manchester, England as did Bernie, W1CDM, from San Diego, California to hear how the Cruise was going and to see if Graham had gotten off OK. Joe, Kay and "Ozzie" stopped by for a visit. 4:00 rolled around, Mike N4HHA, who has been working on his '63 Corvair was on his way out to join us for dinner, Niko, his "Cruising Dog" was going to come to his first Cruise. T Rod, John, Linda & I headed up to "Flippers" for our meal and dropped off newsletters and chatted with other Cruisers that had arrived. Jane was very busy when we arrived, we pushed the tables together, on the Patio, to accommodate our group. I gave the "Radioed Order" from Mike to Jane and we were joined by Neil & Elaine that had brought out the "Roller" tonight. Ron & Renee were almost finished by the time we arrived. Pep & Nancy were dinning alfresco as were most of the earlier residents of Block 1. Jane took great care of our group, as usual. We all split up to head back to the cars, "Big Jim" & Norma, they bought out their '57 Chevy, arrived as we were leaving. Linda & I, stopped by for a treat, that had always been available there, at the "Old Town Chippy Shop", that seemed to have lost any real "English" identity, after almost 45 minutes and a refund we disappointedly headed back to Block 4. Too bad, it started out as a place to stop off at. We are not used to having any bad experiences in our "Home Town" but this place has become below standards of what we expected. Linda wants me to express her apologies, after giving them a glowing recommendation when they opened.  She has been getting mixed reports of late which was another reason for a personal visit. Anyway, by now the top 2 blocks were reaching capacity. John B was parked right behind the Cruise Office.

By the time we got back after the fiasco in Block 1, Ted, KE4TTE, and Larry WA3PGL, were also waiting for us to get back together. Block 4 was getting pretty full. Mark had his T-Bucket across from us. Ron S was out in his '37 Ford Coupe. The cars had just started to park around behind the Roller coaster. Larry and I took a walk to check out to see who else was out. Joe had the T-Bird on the other side of Roberta, the "Beer Lady". The Double Decker Bus was near the corner, Doc & Suzanne were out in the "Pro Street" Charger. I stopped by to chat with Dog & Trish that were admiring a white "Super Bird" that was parked near the bus. John, K4BJF, a spectator from Boca Raton stopped by. Later I saw him riding with Dave D in the "Mint Julep" '57 Chevy headed for the Cruise. Another HAM that stopped by was Ken, KC4IYP, from Kissimmee. Laura, KI4ZJX, who was taking a break at work in a nearby theme park, could be heard over the radio checking out the "Color" of today's events. Mark I, who was out in his '56 Chevy, "Junkyard Jewel" stopped by for a visit. Rodger arrived in one of his British Sports Cars, this time it was an MGTD. Time was flying by, the next thing you know, John, KG4BFJ, was crawling into Mark's T-Bucket for the parade, T Rod was headed for a vantage point for a few parade photos.

Nikki stopped by with the "Flag Winners" just after 8:20. November, "Cruiser of the Month", Roger Dussault* in his '55 Chevy, would be led to Block 4, that becomes the staging area at this time, by Bratt, Lee, Dave and Gary. Followed by other members of the "Redline Rodders" and the rest of the cars from the top 3 blocks. Chris who had been playing a mix of Nostalgic music and radio spots, got word that we were ready to Cruise, he then gave the safety announcements, played the National Anthem, "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed, "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise", right on time, for this the 908th running of this tradition. Bratt, Dave & Lee escorted the '55 Chevy followed by the rest of the 211 cars, rolling up the bricks of "Deac Hundley Avenue", delighting a very large crowd of spectators. "Rain or Shine" every Saturday night of the year, there is nothing quite like it for the "Cruisers" and it is always a treat for 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", the "A&W", "Tags With Class", "Wound and Around", Pepsi, Roberts Brothers, Race Depot & "Flippers" just to name a few. Thank you to, Allan, Lee, Gary, Miguel, Nikki and the entire Cruise Staff and fellow Cruisers for making this our 260th consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one. Mike Singer, Get Well! We all miss you.

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.

Johnny  Hodge 
  1962  Chevrolet  Impala

Leon  Martin 
  1957  Chevrolet  Pick Up

Harry  Hackett 
  1963  Ford  Falcon Squire

Bill  Ackerman 
  1969  Chevrolet  Corvette

Juventino  Santoni 
  1973  Packard ?   

Roy  Campbell 
  1968  Dodge  Charger

Don & Leona  Lutz*
  1960  Rambler  Metropolitan

Gary  Lurie 
  1948  Chevrolet   

On to the Photos... after this.

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

T Rod's view of today's Cruise
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 See you all "Out there".
 

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