In what is becoming a tradition that signals spring has sprung, The Southsider Voice’s first cruise-in of the season was May 1. The nearly perfect weather was responsible for a stellar turnout of classic cars and a great crowd of admirers.
The cruise-ins continue to gain popularity. More than 200 people came out to stroll among more than 120 classic and custom cars and trucks, as well as 16 motorcycles. A large, festive crowd was already in attendance when the event got under way at 6 p.m. with the presentation of colors by the Guardians of Indiana Leadership Academy. Many of the car nuts remained until well after dark to tell stories on a fantastic evening.
There was a buffet of free food provided by Dant Insurance, Papa John’s, City Barbecue and The Voice. Guests were treated to pulled pork, meatballs, pizza, green beans, macaroni and cheese, baked beans and cookies.
Among the many cars on display, more than 10 were owned by members of the Southside Indianapolis Mustang Club.
The cars being shown dated from the early days of the automobile to reborn classics
of today. Some of the eye-catchers were Roy and Jackie Walker’s 1920 Ford Model A with rumble seat and Mike Shelburn’s
1949 Packard.
A large contingent of muscle cars from the 1960s and 1970s took center stage: street-racing cars like Mike Goodman’s 1969 king rat Chevy Nova to restored factory hot rods like Robert Watkins’s 1964 Ford Galaxy, which is still in near stock condition.
The cruise-ins – soon to become a rite of summer – will begin at 6 p.m. the first Friday of each month through October at 6025 Madison Ave. If you’re a fan of leisurely wandering around some great old cars and like hearing the stories and memories that go with them, you’ll want to stop by.