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Thursday, June 14, 2012

Ocean Beach Cruise Night June 11 2012


While the majority of our attention here is given to BMW Baurs, we do like to feature other items of interest from time to time.  Today is one of those days.

A local attraction (Ocean Beach Park, New London CT---- my hometown, incidentally) hosts a Car Cruise Night every Monday from May to September.  I grew up at "The Beach", and I have many fond memories of it, including the fact that this is the place where I first met the woman who is now my wife, some 38 years ago!  Anyway, I try to get down to the Monday night show a few times a season, at least, and I am always surprised by what I find at this little local show.  For example, the first time I went there was a beautiful BMW 507 there (above).  I couldnt believe it!  There were only about 250 of those made!

Not sure what a 507 is?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ib3ibZu50c&feature=related
And yes, that IS Elvis in a miltary uniform with one.  Need I say more?  ;)

I believe that the red one above is the one I saw that night:
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100527/collector/100529811

So, needless to say, ever since seeing that 507, I go back to The Beach religiously, in hopes of seeing it again, but also taking the time to appreciate some of the wondrous machines that appear there with regularity.  The car hobby is alive and well, from what I can see, despite the sour economic times we are muddling through.  My hat is off to the guys and gals who devote so much of their time, skill, energy and money to creating these wonderful machines that amaze, inspire and awe us!

I saw one this week that still has me smiling.  Check this out:
Reo Diesel at rest... on the ground!  Truck cab and frame.

Yeah, that's right.  It is totally sitting on the deck.



Rear view.  Gotta love it!  Note the exhaust stack on the right.

3 cylinder Detroit Diesel

Fire extinguisher behind cab converted to an air storage tank for lifting the chassis off the ground.

This is a Reo truck cab and frame with a three cylinder Detroit Diesel engine.  It is sitting absolutely flat on the ground, and it apparently has an air-powered hydraulic system that lifts it off the ground when it is time to move.  It was a jaw dropper!  I absolutely loved it, and so did everyone at the show.  This is genius!  My only regret was that I didnt get to see it run.

So I make a solemn vow, here and now:  I will make it my mission to find this truck again, and get VIDEO of him starting it up, lifting the chassis, and driving away.  Personally, I can't WAIT to see this myself!  :)  So if I get to see it, I promise to share it here with you guys!   I did speak to the owner/builder that night, and my FIRST question was:  what time are you leaving?  I want to SEE this baby run!!!

Unfortunately, when I left, I mistakenly thought he had left already, and that I had missed him.  My friend, Rachel, told me that he was apparently still there, and I guess I just didnt see him.  My bad.  Day um.  Her little 4 year old son LOVED this car, calling it the Batman car!  I can see that!  I share his wonder!

Here are a few of the other cars appearing last Monday.  This is only a small sampling of the turnout, btw, since it is still early in the season.  There were 50-100 cars at the show, and it will continue to grow larger through the season, weather permitting..  The really incredible custom dream machines have not come out yet.  But they will, trust me!  And I will get them here in Baurspotting!!
My friend Bill S's Studebaker Gran Turismo (1956-7, I think)

1955 Chevy 

1957 Chevy Nomad

1960 Chevy   FINS!

I forgot to note this car...  not sure what it was, but it was 1940's vintage.

Buick

Chevy Truck

Hudson Hornet

Mini Cooper Convertible conversion

Rousch Racing Mustang

T bucket

T bucket

E Type Drop Head Jaguar
Trivia:  The NY Metropolitan Museum of Art has an E Type Jaguar in its collection..... not as a car but as a Work of Art!  A truly timeless classic!  Brilliant!

My friend Danny G's Corvette!

Everyone here knows that I am biased toward the Baurs and the bimmers, no question about that.  But... that being said, I have the utmost respect and admiration for those guys/gals who pour their skills, time, energy and money ---- not to mention their hearts and souls--- into these incredible, beautiful works of industrial art.  I do love it so, as Patton said.

Here was another highlight of the evening:
 That is a home built dragster with a 30 HP Honda engine. I'd love to drive this thing, wouldn't you?  Imagine the thrill this 4 year old youngster got by just sitting in it!  


As you can see, the sun was at a wicked angle for this pic.  Sorry about that. The little kid is still in it!   But.... you can better appreciate this vehicle for what it is in this angle.... note the slicks on all 4 corners.  The youngster in the car was just a spectator....  trust me he loved every second of this.  

The folks who own it built it for their son.  He is 11 years old, and he has raced it at the Waterford Speed Bowl in the Holeshot 100 foot Drag Races that are held every Friday night for all comers.  He was apparently there racing a quad in the Nationals the same day I was there racing my BMW E21 back in October 2010 on my 61st birthday.   One of my Best birthdays EVER!    :) 
Here is a video of my Holeshot Drag Race back in October of 2010, on my birthday!  That is my son, Andrew, that you hear on the Public Address system at the start, wishing me a Happy Birthday.  I am in the white BMW E21.  I had an absolute blast.... I got to practice on the track (6 or 7 runs) from about 10am until this race at about 5:30pm.... for a $25 entrance fee!  The most fun you can have sitting down, I swear!!  :)  Highly recommended!



"No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child."
Abraham Lincoln


STAY TUNED!


Want to see some other hot rods that Baurspotting stumbled upon in Pigeon Forge TN back in April of this year?
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2012/04/hot-rod-heaven-baurspotting-at-spring.html

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