Cobe Cup Cruise highlights,
Nick Steen, of Lowell, said his wife has always entered her 1968 turquoise Ford Mustang in the Cobe Cup Cruise that meanders through Crown Point, Cedar Lake, Lowell and ends at the Lake County Fairgrounds.
This year, though, Steen said his wife was hospitalized and had to miss the vintage car cruise on Saturday. In a random drawing, Steen, driving his wife’s Mustang, won the pole position at the head of the 68-car pack.
“I was surprised. It’s ironic since my wife’s not here,” said Steen, who’s been in the cruise with his wife since 2004. “She told me to take pictures.”
The event, with cars from Model T’s to more modern-day sportsters, kicked off the vintage car cruise season as drivers motored over 23 miles, led by a police escort.
Just as the cruise began, rain clouds gave way to sun.
In 1909, the event was first held in Crown Point as cars competed over a 396mile course. Some say the event was the precursor to the Indianapolis 500.
The cruise is named for Ira Cobe, president of the Chicago Automobile Club. Louis Chevrolet, founder of the car company, won the first race.
Today, the Regional Streeters car club hosts the cruise to build interest and enthusiasm for antique and classic cars.
Retired truck driver Dan Deyarmin, of Lowell, won the Best in Cruise overall award with his 1956 twotoned Chevrolet Bel Air.
It marked the first time he entered, said wife Jeanne, who rode in the passenger seat. Deyarmin just finished restoring the car last year.
He said when he brought it home more than a decade ago, his neighbors asked him what he was going to do with “that piece of junk.” He keeps a photo book of the car as it went through its restoration to show fellow cruisers.
He spent hours restoring the car’s interior, his specialty. He said the 1955-57 Bel Airs were considered the most popular cars of their day.
“It has beautiful lines and the body was made to be two-toned,” he said.
Dan Dieck, of Hebron, drove his 1931 Model A roadster for the second time in the cruise.
“I was concerned about rain, but the weather cleared up,” he said. “It’s beautiful.”
He said he’s owned his roadster for about 15 years and has put thousands of miles on it. He’s a member of the Highland Model A Restorers Club.
Dieck said spectators lined the route in downtown Lowell and waved at the cars.
“It’s just a fun thing,” he said.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.