Saturday Atlanta Cruise-in smaller in number but rich in automotive history

 

[August 18, 2024] 

Though skies were partly cloudy, a small group of car enthusiasts came out for Atlanta’s Route 66 Cruise in Atlanta Saturday, August 17.

The cruise in was held in the parking lot across the street from the American Giants Museum and Fire Department and cars lined the parking lot.

Vehicles at the cruise-in ranged from antiques to classics to somewhat newer models.

A couple vehicles were rare ones since they were just produced for a few years. For example, Stephen and Lee Kalka brought their red 1990 Buick Reatta convertible. In the two years Buick Reatta convertibles were made, less than 3,000 were produced.

Another rare find was a red Pontiac GT convertible with a retractable hard top. These models were only made for three years.

One man brought his 1994 Olds Cutlass, which he said a woman in Bloomington had only driven during summertime. He was able to get it for a very good price and is slowly restoring it with love when he can afford to.

Among the older models was a 1933 Pontiac lovingly restored by Richard Burger.

A 1934 model Yellow Excalibur was a kit car built in Pennsylvania between 1978 and 1979. Owner Charlie Legg said the car sat in a cornfield for 15 years. He later took the car apart and restored it.

The 1964 blue Impala had been restored in the past nine years. The owner said it had been emerald green, so changing its color was part of the restoration process.

One family drove their 1965 red Chevy truck to the cruise in. Though they said it had not been driven for a couple of years, it appeared to be in good condition.

For a couple from Joliet, the 57 Chevy they brought was one of seven they own and have restored. The surf green color of the vehicle is somewhat rare since only a few were produced in that color.

In the park, a couple of vendors were selling food and drink to car exhibitors and visitors there to see the cars. With temperatures in the high 70s, many brought lawn chairs and sat and visited.

Others wandered across the street to visit the American Giants Museum and see the artifacts inside. The old gas pumps outside the museum were a reminder of a time when gas was only 22 cents a gallon.

Though there were a lot fewer cars than July’s cruise-in, those who were there willingly shared the background of the cars, some of which had been restored to their former glory.

[Angela Reiners]