Classic car owners to gather at Bartlett cruise-in
After years of petitioning for a national day of recognition for the automobile, car enthusiasts were revved in 2011 when the Senate passed a resolution establishing Collector Car Appreciation Day.
The annual event serves to celebrate and raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in America. Local car clubs will be participating July 12 with a bonus cruise-in at Kirby-Whitten and Stage Road.
Idealized in movies, songs, photography and print, automobiles are an undeniable symbol of American prosperity. President Herbert Hoover boiled prosperity down to a full pantry and a full garage in 1928. American cars, according to the U.S. Senate, represent the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States. Local car clubs could not agree more and are gearing up for the special event.
Memphis Classic Chevy Club president James Hicks, who owns and shows a 1968 Chevy Camaro RS/SS, says that the Bartlett cruise-in started in 2008 with about four cars and has grown to hundreds of cars. On any given Thursday night, car owners can cruise in and show off their classic, unique, rare or original car.
Club member John Smith says that he is fortunate to be a member of the Memphis Classic Chevy Club. He has a 2007 Monte Carlo SS. While not old, Smith says that the club allowed him membership four years ago because his car is considered unique.
The car clubs also participate in events at Memphis International Raceway, which recently hosted a Super Chevy and Fun Ford event. With weekly test-n-tunes at the racetrack, car owners can meet and show off what their cars can do.
“I’d rather be clocked at the racetrack than by the police,” Smith said with a laugh.
The car club members warn to get to the KirbyWhitten location early, between 5 and 5:30 p.m., to ensure a spot. Darrell Mims is the longtime president of the local Mustang Club. Mims brings his Mach I Mustang to the Bartlett cruise-in and cones off an area for other Mustang owners. Mims says that each club has its own area of the parking lot, but space is limited. The car owners work together for a wellorganized showing, which includes being respectful of the surrounding businesses and each other.
While Mims says that the Mustang Club’s primary goal is to “have fun with your car,” they also have a charity sponsor, the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf, and have raised more than $10,000 for the school.
For more on the Memphis Classic Chevy Club, visit memphisclassicchevys.com. For more information on the Mus- tangs of Memphis club, visit mustangsofmemphis. org. For more information on events at the Memphis International Raceway, visit racemir.com.