Tag: vintage cars

Happy 95th B-Day to Ross Longo!

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Ross Longo B-Day Party Slide Show Below!

Greeting Cruisers! It was twenty years ago that Ross Longo, Mary Carol Plott, and Edde King thought it would be fun to start a car club! Since Highlands County is peppered with lakes, large and small, they decided to call themselves, “Lake Country Cruisers”.

They put the word out that they would all be gathering in the parking lot behind the Lake Placid Train Depot in downtown Lake Placid. A dozen or so friends got together, enjoyed oldies music from someone’s boom box (remember those?), did a little dancing, and had a lot of fun! So much so, the Lake Country Car Show became a regular monthly happening! You can read the full story HERE.

The rest is history and Lake Country Cruisers is still going strong!

On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, around two dozen members of Lake Country Cruisers got together at the Lake Placid American Legion to celebrate Cruisers’ founding member, Ross Longo’s 95th Birthday! Birthday cupcakes, cards, old stories, and good wishes were the order of the day.

Cruisers co-founders Mary Carol and Edde ganged up on Ross to deliver double smooches!

So, on behalf of Pete, Ron, and all of the Cruisers, a big THANK YOU to Ross and Mary Carol, and Edde, too for launching Lake Country Cruisers! – Scott

PS – Just a brief reminder. This Saturday, April 8, 2023, will be a Car & Bike Show AND Swap Meet. The Swap Meet starts one hour earlier than usual, at 9 am.
For complete details, CLICK HERE!

Meet March 2023 Cruiser of the Month

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Meet “Studebaker Man”, Ron Bomberger and his Stunning 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk

NOTE: This Saturday’s Car & Bike Show will also be a Swap Meet!

When Ron Bomberger and his 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk rolled into the Lake Country Cruisers Show on March 11, 2023, I turned to Ron Ellerman and said, “Look at that beautiful Studebaker! I don’t remember the last time I saw one!” Studebakers are hardly ever seen and this one was dazzling! We forget, but in 1956 the Golden Golden Hawk, with its big Packard engine was the quickest, fastest car on the road.

Here’s “Studebaker Man” Ron Bomberger’s Story

“My first car was a Studebaker and I bought them until the company went bankrupt in 1967. I just always loved the Golden Hawk. Around 2012 when we were living in Pennsylvania, I found this car on eBay and got really excited. It was nice, mechanically sound, and complete, but tired. It was too good to pass up.

We were snowbirds then and would winter in Lake Placid. Then in 2016 we moved to Lake Placid permanently and brought the Golden Hawk with us. But when we lived in Pennsylvania I was very impressed with the workmanship of restoration experts at Cornerstone Automotive, in Lititz.

I kept thinking how amazing the Golden Hawk would be if it had a frame-off restoration. Continue reading “Meet March 2023 Cruiser of the Month” →

Lake Country Cruisers March 2023 Car & Bike Show – YES!

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A Perfect Day For A Car Show! (Slide Show Below!)

Greetings Cruisers! What a beautiful day we had for a Car & Bike Show. It was a little cool at 9 am when we started to set up and a little warm when we wrapped up tthe show at 1:30 pm.

A big “Thanks!” to our friends at the Lake Placid Dunkin Donuts for the coffee and donuts. They sure did go fast!

We had fifty cars and around eighty in attendance at the show. The American Legion was having a regional meeting in the banquet room, so the inside kitchen was closed. But Commander Fred Pierce made sure that our Cruiser friends could get lunch, so the outside grill was fired up and by 11:30 am you could smell the burgers and hot dogs!

Our 50/50 winner was Sebring resident BethLinn Mackes and her take home was $150 CASH!

Our 50/50 Runner-Up winner was Sebring resident Pat Klynstra, and she received a FREE oil change from our friends at Highlands Complete Auto, on Rt. 27 in Sebring.

 

 

And our Curiser of the Month was Ron Bomberger and his stunningly beautiful 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk. In 1956 this was one of the quickest, fastest cars of its day. The Golden Hawk’s styling was influenced by French industrial designer, Raymond Loewy‘s design studio. Loewy went on to design the body for the 1963 Studebaker Avante.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

Our next Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike Show on April 8, 2023, will also be a Swap Meet! So, the same as we did for our February Swap Meet, we will start at 9:00 am, one hour earlier than usual.

If you are looking for parts or would like to clear the car clutter in your garage and unload some old car stuff, the 10′ x 10′ space is $15 and the 10′ x 15′ space is $20. You can pay at the Sign-In tent.

Thanks to everyone that came to the show. Remember, our shows are car AND bike shows. So, if you have a motorcycle, bring it. If you have motorcycle friends, invite them! It’s a Car & Bike Party!

See ya next month! – Scott, Pete, & Ron

PS – We will be doing Car & Bike Shows throughout the year, and sometimes in different places. We’ll always let you know where and when, but be sure to check out Coming Events page.

Car & Bike Show This Saturday!

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Greeting Cruisers!

Just a brief reminder that this Saturday, March 11 we will be hosting another fun Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike show at the Lake Placid American Legion. The show officially starts are 10 am and runs to around 1:30-ish.

The weather forecast for Saturday is good – cool in the early morning with a high of 85 degrees later in the afternoon. PERFECT weather for a Car Show.

If you have friends with motorcycles, invite them! We like all kinds of machines!

And bring your pooch if you have one! We love dogs too. Just keep them on their leash and clean up after them if they, well, you know.

See y’all Saturday! – Scott, Pete, & Ron

The SVRA Show Was BIG FUN!

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Greetings Cruisers! By all accounts, last weekend’s SVRA Show was a big success. According to show organizer Toni Strollo, there were 253 cars for the Hagerty Car Show and 136 Corvettes at the Corvette Invasion “Corvette Corral”.

The Corvette folks were not able to get out on the track at 6 pm because there was a serious wreck at the hairpin corner. One of the race cars crunched into the wall and it took over two hours to clean things up.

On Sunday a group of cruisers spent some quality time at Pete’s RV. Pete’s RV spot was halfway down the straight-away to goes into that tight hairpin right turn. Yes, the one that cars often crunch into! The view was great. The lunch menu included big FAT bratwurst, hot dog rolls, baked beans, macaroni salad, potato salad, fruit, and lots of “cold barley soup”! (beer). Continue reading “The SVRA Show Was BIG FUN!” →

A Successful Car Show & Swap Meet!

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SLIDE SHOW BELOW!

Hey Cruisers! What a difference a month makes! Our January show was the COLDEST we ever experienced and last Saturday it was 25 degrees warmer! And NO ONE complained!

It was such a beautiful day we tied our attendance record of 101 cars and trucks. We were very happy with our first-ever Swap Meet too. We had fifteen parts swappers, with one that came from Fort Lauderdale! We also had lots of new Cruisers and a record number of Rat Rods. Dick and Marilyn Roddie were there with Dick’s 100-plus-year-old Hit’n Miss engine. It doesn’t get more nostalgic than that!

We estimate that at least half of the Cruisers that come to the show bring someone, so we guesstimate that we had at least 150 in attendance. So, a BIG THANKS to everyone that came.

Using the Lake Country Cruisers Divine Ice Cream Gauge, we knew we were doing good. By noon Divine Dave had a long row of folding chairs across the front of the American Legion with Cruisers enjoying Divine Ice Cream on a beautiful warm day.

And along with all the Cruisers, we had a good number of doggies. Dogs so LOVE a car show!

The American Legion was preparing their dining hall for their big Valentine’s Day Party later that evening, but they didn’t let our Cruisers go hungry. Commander Fred Pierce had some of his kitchen staff set up the outside grill behind the building. So, every now and then, you could enjoy the aroma of burgers cooking! You could see the dog’s noses twitching!

When we get a good turnout, Cruisers get a great 50/50 payout. Our 50/50 winner was Larry Row. Larry went home with $250 CASH stuffed in his pocket! NICE! Our 50/50 Runner-up prize was a $50 gift certificate from GC Grillhouse and Dave Bukis was the winner. Continue reading “A Successful Car Show & Swap Meet!” →

This Saturday’s Swap Meet is ON!

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Turn those old parts into CASH!

Hey Cruisers! Just a short post to let you know that the scheduled Swap Meet is most definitely ON!

To give everyone more time to sell their stuff, we are starting the show at 9 am, instead of 10 am. We have plenty of space, so get your car stuff into the truck or on a trailer and come on over to the Lake Placid American Legion.

If you don’t have stuff to sell, it’s still a Car Show with Door Prizes, 50/50, 50/50 runner-up restaurant gift certificate, and Crusier of the Month and Bike of the Month awards!

Our next scheduled event will be another Meet’n Eat on February 16, 2023, at Jaxson’s On the Lake, on Lake June Rd. in Lake Placid from 2 pm to 4 pm. Come on by, bench race, solve the world’s problems, and tie on the old feed bag! See you then! – Scott, Pete, & Ron

Here’s a map showing the location of the Lake Placid American Legion, on Rt. 27 in Lake Placid, Florida.

13 WILD Rat Rods!!! – VIDEO

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Rat Rods Are Extreme Modern Versions of the First Hot Rods

Greetings Cruisers! The January 2023 issue of Hot Rod Magazine was their 75th Anniversary issue. Yes, Hot Rod Magazine is now 75 years old! The issue is a fun retrospective of the magazine and how it got started in 1948 as Americans were getting back to peacetime and the Car Culture was being formed in southern California.

The issue pointed out that the original “hot rods” were built from parts found in junkyards. Guys would buy wrecked and worn-out cars, strip off unneeded things such as fenders and running boards, and soup up their engines. This was before the era of pretty “custom cars”. People that weren’t into those new-fangled “hot rods” called them “jalopies” or “junkers”. Their appearance was not unlike today’s “Rat Rods”.Except for the Rat Rod BEASTS in this fun video.

At our last Lake Country Cruisers show, we had a nice group of fun Rat Rods and Classic Hot Rods. The Rat Rods featured in the video are truly OVER THE TOP! Enjoy!

We have two upcoming events you should mark on your calendar. This Saturday, February 11, 2023, our Car & Bike Show will also be our first-ever Swap Meet. The Swap Meet will start one hour earlier than usual, at 9 am. We still have space, so exchange your old car stuff for CASH. Then, you can go get some NEW car stuff!

To reserve a spot, e-mail Scott at… lightoak@comcast.net or call, 863-699-6355.
 Continue reading “13 WILD Rat Rods!!! – VIDEO” →

Cars, Coffee, Crafts, & Dogs at the Devane Park Circle in Lake Placid

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Slide Show Below!

Greetings Cruisers! A big “THANKS!” to the fifteen Cruisers that answered to last-minute call to come and hang out at the Lake Placid Arts & Crafts Show Country Fair in beautiful downtown Lake Placid at Devane Park. The weather cooperated with us and it was a great day for a Country Fair and Cars & Coffee. Honestly, we didn’t know what to expect, but everyone had a delightful time.

But the Star Car of the event was Dick & Marilyn Roddie’s 1931 V-12 Cadillac Phaeton. I think more pictures were taken of the ’31 Caddy than even Jack Murphy’s brand-new 2023 Corvette Convertible!

For many of the attendees, it was the first time they’d ever seen a top-of-the-line 1930s luxury car, let alone one with a V-12 engine! I was talking with one teenage fellow that was pie-eyed looking at the engine and said to him, “That’s a V-12 engine.” He said, “What’s that?” I responded, “Twelve cylinders.” He said, “What’s that?”

Obviously, he was not a car guy but seemed to like what he saw. Continue reading “Cars, Coffee, Crafts, & Dogs at the Devane Park Circle in Lake Placid” →

Last Minute Car & Bike Show at the Devane Park Circle in Lake Placid

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THIS JUST IN!!!

Greetings Cruisers! Please pardon this last-minute announcement, but we just learned about this late today (Friday) around 4:45. Saturday and Sunday there the Lake Placid Arts & Crafts Show Country Fair in Devane Park, the roundabout where we have the Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show.

For “whatever” reason the turnout of crafters was light this year, meaning that there will be a lot of open, unused space in the park. The Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce asked board member, Pete Richie if we could put together an informal Car & Bike Show.

So, here’s the deal.

We will set up our tent and music in the park early Saturday morning. We’re not sure “where”, as this has not been planned for. You’ll have to look for our Lake Country Cruisers tent and banner. There will be no entry fee, no door prizes, and no Cruiser of the Month.

But, there will be a food truck at the event.

This is just a Cars & Coffee event.

The weather will be in the 60s and partly cloudy Saturday morning. So, bring a jacket, your chairs, a breakfast sandwich, and coffee. We’ll hang out for a few hours and bench race! – Scott, Pete, & Ron

PS – Our next Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike Show will be next Saturday, February 11 at the American Legion, on Rt. 27 in Lake Placid.

This will also be our FIRST EVER Swap Meet, so we’ll be starting the show at 9 am and running until 2 pm. If you would like to clear the car clutter in your garage and unload some old car stuff, the 10′ x 10′ space is $15 and the 10′ x 15′ space is $20. You can pay at the entrance.

Our COLDEST Show Ever!

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Slide Show Below!

Greetings Cruisers! It wasn’t “cool” last Saturday, it was COLD! But that didn’t keep around 75 hardy souls from coming out for a car and bike show.

All of Florida was experiencing a cold snap, but when Russ Ryan and I arrived at the American Legion at 8:15, it was 38 degrees according to the Legion’s electric sign out front. Plus, we had a 15-mph northern breeze for a wind chill of around 27 degrees! Yes, there are many colder places, but when you’re used to 80-degree weather, a 27-degree wind shill will shiver yer timbers!

The official car count was 34 cars, plus around 10 that didn’t register. We’re sure that if the weather had been warmer, we would have had at least 75 cars. Interestingly, we had seven old-style hot rods, which are always fun to see.

But despite being all bundled up, everyone had a good time. We’ve never seen so many sweatshirts, coats, and jackets at one of our shows. And a big THANKS to Russ Ryan, Bob Wolf, and Paul Fry for the help last Saturday!

Our Door Prize winners included Marvin Garwood, Mel King, Leonard Miller, Herbert Conley, and Billy Stewart.

Our Cruiser of the Month was Keith Lang and his silver 2017 Corvette convertible. And Lloyd Hill was our lucky 50/50 winner and took home $100 cash! Gary Burdell was our 50/50 Runner-Up and took home gift cards!

And

We want to thank everyone for coming out to play in the cold. Hopefully, our February show will have more typical, delightful Florida winter weather.

(Click any of the Slide Show images below to make them big) Continue reading “Our COLDEST Show Ever!” →

The Amazing History of Hot Rods

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Hot Rod History Viedo Below

Greetings Cruisers! It’s hard to believe that “hot rods” date back to the early 1930s. Yes, nearly 100 years ago! Back then, they were called “Jalopies” or “Buggies”. And I’m sure that many were called “Junkers” by the adults back then.

Building Hot Rods

Hot rods were built in backyards and garages using parts found in junk yards. The used-up and not-so-old junkers were typically stripped of their fenders, running boards, and hoods – to save weight. Those old flathead Ford four-bangers were “hopped up” for more horsepower. And of course, the mufflers had to go. “Must have lots of noise!”

According to the story, the term, “hot rod” came from all the horsepower enhancements. Those connecting rods could get pretty hot (not that regular rods didn’t!) and if the engine was run too hard, a “hot connecting rod” might go through the engine block! Hence, “Hot Rods”.

In the earliest days, the cars weren’t pretty because they were built on a shoestring with found used parts from the junkyard. Looking back, you can clearly see that the first wave of Hot Rods is what inspired the modern Rat Rods. Hot Rods didn’t become “pretty” until the 1950s with the Custom Car Craze that started the whole “Car Show” concept. Continue reading “The Amazing History of Hot Rods” →

Next Cruisers Show BACK at the American Legion!

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Greetings Cruisers!

Just a brief reminder that our next Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike Show will be back at the Lake Placid American Legion, this Saturday, January 14, 2023.

The Car & Bike Show will start at 10 am and run to 2 pm.

We will have Door Prizes; 50/50; a 50/50 runner-up gift certificate to one of our Lake Placid restaurant sponsors; and “Cruiser of the Month”; and “Bike of the Month” license plate awards! Rock’n Roll music, good cheer, and comradery will be the order of the day.

The American Legion’s “Mess Hall” kitchen with be serving up “American food” for lunch; hot dogs, burgers, cheeseburgers, fries, and onion rings. Often the Lady’s Auxiliary has cookies, brownies, and cakes.

Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike Shows are family-friendly

So being a car buddy, bring the kids, and the grand kiddos. We love seeing young car guys and gals. And, we’re Dog Friendly, too. Just keep Fido on a leash and clean up after him. (dogs LOVE car shows!)February Swap Meet Show!

Our February Car & Bike Show Swap Meet will be held on February 11 from 9 am to 2 pm. Yes, we’re starting an hour earlier. This show will be our first Swap Meet, so if you have car or bike parts you no longer want, reserve a space, and let us help clear out your garage a little. For full information, CLICK HERE.

SVRA is Coming to Town! Continue reading “Next Cruisers Show BACK at the American Legion!” →

The AMAZING Harold LeMay Car Collection VIDEO

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A “Trash Man” Makes Good!

Greetings Cruisers and Happy 2023! We hope that everyone had a happy and safe New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

It’s no secret that “there’s BIG money in trash!” Harold LeMay was an amazing car guy. Born in 1919 in Yakima, Washington, Harold was into cars as a kid. As soon as he graduated from high school he went into the auto business. This was just Harold’s first enterprise.

After WW-II, Harold launched Lucky Towing, HELM Trucking Company, and Lucky Sales & Service. Eventually, Harold started his refuse company, Harold LeMay Enterprises, in Tacoma Washington.

Lots and LOTS of Cars!

Along the way, Harold bought cars, trucks, and motorcycles. LOTS of them! At one time, Harold’s collection numbered over 3,000! In 1997, three years before his death in 2000, the Guinness Book of World Records listed the LeMay Collection as the largest privately-owned car collection in the world.

Typically, car collections are sold-off after the owner passes. In 1996, Harold came up with the idea of starting a non-profit museum so that his collection would not be broken up and sold off. But as they say, “Life got in the way”. Harold didn’t live to see his museum idea work out. However, later, his wife Nancy and son Doug made his dream a reality.Of course, the entire collection was left to his wife, Nancy. Talk about a strange inheritance!

80 Acres of Cars!

In 1991 the “LeMay Family Collection Foundation at Marymount” in Tacoma, Washington opened an 80-acre estate that was once a military academy-style school for boys. Marymount was founded by Dominican nuns in 1923. In 2012 the establishment was renamed, “The LeMay America’s Car Museum.”


With 80 acres and thousands of vehicles, it must be a marathon to take in or an all-weekend experience. Clearly, Harold’s family also has gasoline in their veins too. You’d have to, in order to make such a thing come together. Of course, Mecum or Barrett Jackson would have loved selling off all those vehicles! Continue reading “The AMAZING Harold LeMay Car Collection VIDEO” →

Don’t Miss the $20 Discount on the Feb 2023 SVRA Tickets!

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Hey Cruisers! The SVRA SpeedTour will be coming to Sebring International Raceway on February 23-26, 2023.

Just a quick reminder that the SVRA’s $20 ticket discount runs out after December 31. The discount takes the cost down to just $30 for ONE car and TWO people!

Call Toni Strollo at 863-698-8620 to buy your tickets. Tickets are ONLY available by phone.

After December 31, 2022 tickets are $50, and available ONLY by phone. Call Toni Strollo at 863-698-8620 to buy your tickets. The ticket price is $50 for ONE car and TWO people.

SVRA is Old-Style Sports Car Racing

The vintage racing is big fun to watch and the infield car show is always excellent. You’ll see ALL KINDS of cars and race cars. And at 12 noon you’ll be able to take your car out on the track for a lap or two “cruise”!

Cruisers, we will gather at the Moose Lodge, on Rt. 98, a few miles from the track at 8:15 AM. Whoever has gathered there by 8:30 AM, we will all go to the track TOGETHER so that we can all park in the same place in the parking field. Continue reading “Don’t Miss the $20 Discount on the Feb 2023 SVRA Tickets!” →