Local vintage car club to cruise on Saturday

The 54 Cruisers will hold their 16th annual car show Saturday, May 9, In the El Dorado Springs church of God Holiness parking lot at 1607 South Park Street. The show draws entrants from all over the state, and public is invited to attend and participate in the activities.

The 54 Cruisers is a car club that was founded in 1993 and currently boasts a membership if 35 members and their families. Aside from the cars and fellowship the members enjoy their main "goal is to help the community," said member Larry Weinbrenner.

That is the purpose of the annual show. The club has used the proceeds from the yearly event to help support a number of local charities and individuals in need. To date the club has contributed more than $10,000 to those in need. They use their funds to help victims of fire or family emergencies; they provide Christmas baskets; they sponsor a scholarship, and they donate to many other worthwhile causes.

Anyone can join the Cruisers, said Weinbrenner. You don't have to have a car, but it really helps if you have that interest in old cars. "Love of the cars" is the main reason why people get into a club like this said Weinbrenner. Just like any club their membership ebbs and flows, but by and large, their numbers remain pretty stable, partly because "most members are very compatible."

Weinbrenner was introduced to the club by vice-president Mark Boch shortly after he retired to this area after a 25 year career in the U.S. Border Patrol. He has been active ever since holding more than one service position in the club. He said the car that got him started was a 55 Thunderbird and when he sold that, he was without a car for about six months. "I couldn't stand it" he said, so he bought another car.

The club meets the second Saturday of every month and does a cruise in at the local Sonic. The monthly meeting at Pogo's Pizza is also a social event for the members and their families. The club also takes a fall trip each year. Sometimes they drive their cars on the trip but other times they just travel to some sort of "automitive destination."

The club doesn't limit the types of cars in the club, however the older cars seem to be the most popular. The Ford Model A is just as welcome as the Corvette.

There will 17 classes in the following divisions: antique vehicles, five classes of originals, two classes of Mustangs, two classes of Corvettes. Street Rods: two classes of classic trucks, two classes of modified trucks. Low riders and a special interest class. Awards will be given to the top three in each category, the longest distance traveled and Best of Show. There will be dash plaques for the first 100 entries, door prizes, T-shirts, fantastic raffles, 50/50 pots and a D.J. on the grounds all day .

Registration for participants is between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Pre -entry fee is $10 with registration at the gate $15.

For more information, contact Larry (417-876-3672) or Mark (417-876-3520).

Concessions are by the El Dorado Springs Christian School.

This year's show is sponsored by the 54 Cruisers Car Club, The Route 54 Cruisers and the Carol Boch Memorial Scholarship fund.

Some of this years give-a-ways are a queen-size quilt of car show T-shirts made by Jane Hutchison, a barbecue grill donated by Sac Osage Electric and Rudy Parmenter

s mailbox donated by Carol Parmenter T-shirts will be on sale.

Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.