By Brett Hickman

After a week’s delay due to inclement weather, The Southsider Voice’s first cruise-in of the year was Friday.

Nice weather and blues skies brought out many participants and spectators, all of whom were treated to pizza and salad. The free food was made possible through the generosity of Ziebart, Dan Shine Realty and The Voice.

Disc jockey Paul Rippy provided the musical entertainment. 
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Future cruise-ins will be held at 6 p.m. the first Friday of each month through October at the Beck Service Center parking lot, 6025 Madison Ave.

By Bill Thorpe

​A good friend of mine from the classic car community recently shared his story of his 1979 Pontiac Trans Am. Wishing to remain anonymous for this column, he proudly retold the history of this beauty with the rare white interior and shared some of his photographs.

He purchased the car three years ago at a Mecum auction after realizing the low volume numbers for this color combination in a Trans Am. Paperwork from Illinois suggests that he is the second owner.

The original numbers matching a four-speed automatic transmission with the 403-cubic-inch single carburetor power plant was just too nice to pass up. He restored the original air conditioner after learning the previous owner had it removed hoping for an increase in horsepower. The 38-year-old car has only been driven an average of 1,900 miles per year.

The piano black exterior with a red and gold firebird on the hood is special, and the added all-white Naugahyde interior with black trim really makes this Pontiac exceptional. The exterior was repainted and PPG clear coat applied in 2014.

This car enthusiast enjoys driving to local cruise-ins and is often impressed with the car’s terrific pickup off the line or acceleration when engaging an interstate on ramp.

Until next time, happy cruisin’!