Wow! What a Cruise-In!

There was a touch of fall in the air Saturday as thousands of spectators spent the evening “remembering when” at downtown Greensboro’s Rock ‘n Roll Days Cruise-In.

Classic, antique, and vintage cars along with hot rods and collectibles lined the streets of downtown.

The event, produced by the Georgia Classic Cruisers Car Club and the Greensboro Better Hometown program is a downtown favorite each year. Car Club event chair, John Smith reports that there were more than 135 visiting cars and at least 25 club cars in town on Saturday. The large turnout of vehicles made this Greensboro’s largest Cruise-In ever. Visitors traveled from surrounding towns and even neighboring states to enter cars in the popular Greensboro Cruise In.

Greensboro’s Rock ‘n Roll Cruize-In is known for the wide array of vintage vehicles it draws from across the state, and this year’s favorites included a very rare 1941 Roadmaster, 4-door convertible with an interesting past, a 1912 Model T touring car with many unusual features and a 1929 Chevrolet Truck.

“The 1941 Roadmaster, 4-door convertible is one of only 312 built, plus 14 exported ones,” states owner, Ray Bowden, local Georgia Classic Cruiser’s member. “1941 was the final year for Buick’s 4-door convertibles and this one is a model 71C.”

This rare Buick was parked right on the corner of Main Street and Court Street. Spectators noted the Compound Carburetion (predecessor to the 4-barrell carburetor) which Bowden explained is found only in 1941 and 1942 Buicks. An immaculate engine compartment featured the 320 straight 8 with compound carburetors and red engine paint which are both correct for 1941.

The 1912 Model T touring car, immaculately restored, was brought from the George C. Bugg Collection in Athens.

“The body of the Model T is manufactured by Wilson Body Company, with the front axle being a Wilson wide track axle with the “W” still visible on the front and back,” smiles Mr. Bugg. “The floor boards are original and all doors and body are stamped alike. The vehicle has a #467 under the rear seat and so we believe it is the 467th car of the Wilson Assembly line.”

There was also a newly restored 1927 Chevrolet truck from Penfield, countless Camaros and Mustangs, and even a few new vehicles on display from event sponsor Jimmy Britt Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick.

On the Court House Lawn stage the Palmetto Groove Party Band performed hits from the ‘50s and ‘60s live throughout the event. Visitors took part in a Hoola-Hoop contest that ended in a three-way tie. The three young winners received “Greensboro Bucks” to help jump-start their evening shopping in downtown.

The Cruise-In is always one of Greensboro’s most popular downtown events. Next up in downtown will be Downtown Trick-or-Treat from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.