Some people are just “car people”. The cars aren’t so much transportation as they are collectibles, art, show pieces and “toys”.
That’s basically the definition of a classic car.
Those people, and their classic cars, have been heading out to Old Town on the west side of Kissimmee for years showing off their cars, using the Saturday nights to meet up with their collector friends, swap stories, and show off a time when American cars were big, strong, loud and had that American style.
Old Town will celebrate the 32nd anniversary of its weekly Saturday night Classic Car Cruise this week. As many as 500 car owners are expected to participate, filling up a majority of the entertainment district’s streets. Some will arrive as early as 7:30 a.m., and the Car Cruise will head down its brick Main Street at 8:30 p.m.
You don’t have to be a “car person” to appreciate the style of American workmanship that will be on display. Among the models you can expect to see Saturday are: a 1925 Ford T-Bucket, a 1928 Ford, a 1931 Chrysler, 1933 Plymouth, a 1934 Ford, a 1936 Ford Panel Truck, a 1951, 1955, 1956 and 1957 Chevy, a 1957 Chevy Truck, a 1964 Ford Falcon, a 1966 Ford Fairlane, a 1969 Mustang Mach I, a 1969 Javelin, a 1970 AMX, a 1971 Plymouth Road Runner, a 1971 Nova, a 1972 Doge Challenger, and a 1972 Maverick.
At 32 years, the Old Town cruise is now the longest running car cruise in America, which is part of the reason for the celebration.
“It’s going to be so special,” said Old Town Vice President and General Manager Thearon Scurlock, “Six years ago, we averaged 20 to 30 cars a night, now we have 200- 300 on any given Saturday.”
Kissimmee’s Jim Chubb is the owner of the ’72 Challenger, a Hi-Impact Hemi-Orange rally style with a 340-horsepower four-barrel engine so smooth you can boil an egg on — he’ll peel it for you.
He’s been part of the cruise since 1996, when he bought the car for $3,500. Including the price, he’s put about $15,000 into it over the years, including restoring the interior.
“My everyday car is a 2003 Toyota,” he said, noting classic and antique car insurance only allows a small number of miles to be put on them each year. “Back then my wife was working, and I was finishing up as a truck driver and I wanted something I could have fun with.”
He’s been having fun every Saturday night since.
“We’ve had plans every Saturday night,” Chubb said. “Years ago it was touch and go for a while, there’d only be a few cars here, and of course we had to get through COVID-19 when we couldn’t be here for a while. But Saturday night’s going to be real big. We’re going to fill up all these streets.”
When Chubb started bringing his Challenger, that ’72 just made it into the classic category. Saturday, Old Town will welcome s how-quality pieces from 1985 and older.
