Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS
Literally hundreds of people took advantage of a beautiful Sunday afternoon and flocked to downtown Lincolnton for the annual fall cruise-in, which this year benefits Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

DOWNTOWN RETURNED TO DAYS
GONE BY WITH CRUISE-IN

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- Remember the poodle skirts? How about going to the local diner to hang out with friends or cruising the streets with the top down, listening to popular tunes of the day?

For a few short hours Sunday, people from across the Charlotte region called downtown Lincolnton a cruising destination, as downtown streets were closed for the fall cruise-in.

Organizer Mike Silman has been putting two cruise-ins on for the past several years. One to coincide with Memorial Day and one to coincide with Veterans Day.

"It's a way to honor the veterans of Lincoln County," said Silman, while standing on the corner of First United Methodist Church. "And while we honor the vets, we pick a charity each show to benefit with what we raise."

The charity for the November cruise-in was Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS
Vehicles, like the Dodge Minibus, took to cruising the downtown Lincolnton streets.

Silman estimated more than 450 cars were on display at the event.

Silman had his 1971 Chevy Nova on display.

"I restored the car myself," said Silman. "it took about a year."

Advertising for the cruise-in starts about two months before the event.

Silman credited two friends -- Jerry Fletcher and Steve Hart -- with helping him get the word out about the event.

"We go to about 35 or 40 car shows to get ready for this thing by handing out fliers," said Silman.

Participants paid $2 to showcase their rides upon entering the cruise-in. People could enter from East Main Street or south Court Square.

Besides displaying classic rides, cruisers also "cruised" East Main Street.

Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS
A lot of people were attracted to this hot pink classic Ford pickup.

Mike Weiner of Mooresville was one of many people who showed up to the event with his classic ride, a 1937 Chevy sedan.

Weiner said his classic car is driven daily, also known as a "daily driver."

Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS
Mike Weiner of Mooresville sits next to his "daily driver," a 1937 Chevy sedan

Weiner said he's owned the vehicle for 27 years. With 150,000 miles, the car has been driven from California (where Weiner purchased it) to Florida and everywhere in between.

"I've done all the restorations myself," said Weiner. "Money-wise, I've probably spent upwards of $20,000 in the last 27 years."

According to Weiner's wife, it's not the only classic car the couple owns. They also have a 1967 Ford Falcon and a 1927 Model T Ford.

"My Chevy was a rust-free vehicle when I bought it," said Weiner. "It's got more rust on it now than it did when I bought it."

The next cruise-in is scheduled for sometime in May 2009.

Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS
Many classic engines were on display during the fall cruise-in held in downtown Lincolnton.

Have an interesting cruise-in story around Lincolnton? Send it, with your name and (for verification purposes) your telephone number to mail@thecarolinascoop.com

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