CLASSIC CAR CRUISE IN
by
Maryann Miller

 

What a great day it was last Saturday, Sept 1, for the third annual Classic Car Cruise In held in Winnsboro. The weather favored visitors with bright blue skies, cool breezes, and car enthusiasts came from far and wide to show as well as appreciate the vintage cars. There were 64 plus show entries, some from as far away as Texarkana, Dallas, Frisco, and one from California. "This is as good or better than last year," said Hardy Hamm, who with his wife Suzy, coordinated the Cruise In for two years when it was sponsored by Main Street. This year, the Winnsboro Rotary took over, and everyone agreed that the organization did a terrific job in putting this all together.

For Dave McCrary, his wife Barbara, son, Lee and daughter-in-law Theresa, classic cars are an avocation as well as a vocation. They own Dave's Automotive in Jacksonville, Texas, and have several classics they show. They also run a car lot, paint and body shop, and antique car restoration services. For Lee, the business has been part of his life since he was old enough to start working. His father, Dave, started the business in 1971. "We really enjoy coming to the shows," Lee said. "It's a good way to mix business with pleasure."

Dave piped up and said it was better than sitting home and watching TV.

The whole family seemed to be having a good time, talking and joking with visitors. And Lee had a great story about the 1934 Chrysler they are standing in front of. He said they bought it from the original owner - a little old lady in Jacksonville, who only drove it one way to the store. They have had the car for three years and the lady, who is 108, is still alive. "We drove it the other day," Lee said. "And I said to Theresa, 'Just imagine, probably the last time this car went down this road was over 70 years ago."

Pictured (L-R) David, Lee, and Barbara. Theresa was a little camera shy. "But she should be in the picture," Barbara said. "She does a lot for the business working alongside Lee. I handle the clerical end of it."

According to his wife, Tonda, the classic cars are dear to Ronnie McComic's heart. "Every car relates to a memory for my husband. It's connected to what car he had what year."

And Ronnie didn't dispute that. For instance, he came to Dallas in a 61 Chevy Bubbletop and that is the next one in line for restoration. Since catching the classic car restoration bug a few years ago, Ronnie has decided to find and restore every model of car that has importance to him. "I've loved these cars all my life," he said. "And now that the kids and grandkids are grown, Big Daddy can do what he wants to do."

Ronnie and Tonda live in Yantis on the lake. They moved there from Rockwall six years ago, and Tonda said, "There's no going back. We love it."

The 56 Chevy BelAire that they were showing was purchased on E-Bay and restored at Terry's Outback Restoration in Edgewood, Texas. The couple also has a 36 Dodge that is fully restored. "We just couldn't bring it," Tonda said. "We didn't have anyone to drive it."

Sam and Nancy Lane, (below right) who live in Winnsboro, didn't enter their 1931 Model A Ford in the competition. "We just enjoy dressing up and coming to events," Nancy said.

"That's right," Sam added. "Half the fun of owning a vintage car and belonging to the clubs is the opportunity to dress up and drive around."

The couple has come to the Cruise In every year and also come out for the Autumn Trails events in October when their distinctive green car is a familiar sight around town.

David Pinkus drove his 1939 Jaguar from Gun Barrel City. He said he's had the car for three years. "I've always wanted a classic," he said. "It just took a while to get one."

David is a member of the Wills Point Rotary, and he said he came to check up on the Winnsboro Rotary folks. He owns a wholesale nursery business in WIlls Point, Tawakani Plant Farm, and lives there with his wife. "She likes cars," he said. "But she doesn't like to come to shows."

This is David's first time to come to the Cruise In, but he said he will definitely come back next year. He is on the far left in the picture. One nice thing about coming to the shows is the opportunity to talk to other car enthusiasts. And you don't even have to know their name.

David also didn't really care if he was in the picture. He'd rather people admire his car, and plenty of people were doing that.