June 3rd

Hello everyone, this is Gregg reporting from Trophy Row. Tonight I didn't arrive at Old Town until after seven because it is a dreary night with rain coming down in buckets at times and this accounts for the low turnout of cruisers. For tonight there were a total of 39 that registered for the cruise and we had our four checker flag winners as usual. Topaz is the band that played for us and the Old Town dancers were out in front of the stage dancing between the rain drops. I guess if there is music they will dance and it is entertaining. I did get to walk around and see the cars before the cruise and as usual there were a few that picked my interest. Tonight we had two factory show car hot rods in attendance. The first was a gold 2002 Chrysler Prowler. In 2002 it changed from Plymouth to Chrysler because there were no more Plymouth branded cars after 2001 due to Daimler Chrysler eliminating that long running brand from their lineup of products. I am sorry to have seen its demise as well as that of Oldsmobile. I feel that both Chrysler and General Motors should have done something to keep them both alive but I digress. The other is a purple 2004 Chevrolet SSR pickup. Both of these vehicles as well as Fords new Thunderbird, and Mustang, Chrysler's PT Cruiser and Chevrolets soon to be released HHR are all styled with lines and elements of cars from long ago. I for one hope that the trend continues. Also in attendance tonight was an orange Volkswagon Beetle that was in fine shape and it was displayed with about a half dozen small orange bugs in the back. (Where's the Raid?) I also spied one of my favorite cars and that was a 1974 Plymouth Roadrunner. It was painted limelight (lime green) with the black roadrunner strips running from the tips of the front fenders, along the doors and over the roof to the other side. It had a black bench seat interior with a 440 and automatic under the hood. I was drooling all over it and envisioning when I get mine done.

The four checker flag winners tonight were Lynn Codella with a pretty white 1985 Buick Riviera convertible with a white top and burgundy leather interior. I viewed it thru the windows because with the rain the top didn't come down. Shawn Carl also won with a 1998 Ford Mustang GT coupe. It is red and black with an after market spoiler and tail lights. Shawn followed thru with the red and black theme on the inside of the car as well and that included the racing seats. C.J. Skyline won with his 1987 blue Viper. Yes, I know that Dodge didn't market the Viper until 1994 and for a few years before that it was a Chrysler Corp. show car so there is no way that this could be a 1987 Viper but rest assured that this is a 1987 Viper show car. I will explain. This snake started out as a 1987 Chevrolet Caprice Classic four door sedan. The Chevy is treated to a diet via unbolting certain parts and cutting off others with both a torch and a reciprocating saw. When done all that is left are the two front doors, the cowl area including windshield, roof between the two front doors, power train and frame. The car is then treated to a new nose that is very reminiscent of a Dodge Viper and a new box similar to that on an El Camino. When all done the result is a Chevrolet Viper pickup truck. I have seen a few of these and although they do look a bit odd they are well done and much more interesting than the vehicle that left the

Chevrolet assembly line. The last winner did not win because he was not present although his car was. I don't understand it but that is the way it was. Anyway we did get to drool all over Andy Tress' 1974 Plymouth Barracuda coupe. It was red with black strips and a black vinyl bucket seat interior. it also had a warmed over 440 under the hood and I'm sure shifting that pistol grip shifter is a lot of fun.

The last thing I want to mention before closing this report is that I did get to walk the perimeter of Old Town and see many of the older cruisers that will be present for the Saturday anniversary cruise at Old Town. There were cars already lined up from the Ferris wheel at the front to the entrance to trophy row at Florida Plaza. I'd estimate 100 cars already. I just hope that the weather is better for tomorrow but it was a rare treat. Until next week have fun and cruise safely. -Gregg W. Nelson, Sr.