August 19th

Hello Everyone; this is Gregg checking in with another installment of the Old Town Friday Night Cruise Report. This week we didn't have to dodge any raindrops but the weather man did threaten. How dare him.

It was very warm and the only drops to contend with was from perspiration. Tonight we had a total of 100 cars and cruisers that registered for the cruise this evening and this week I found quite a bit to write about. Last weeks report was short just so I could prove I could do short. It won't happen often. We also had four checker flag winners that did take home that handsome flag.

The first flag winner is Jeremiah Colwell with a 1991 Toyota MR2 sports coupe. This red two door is just one more example of Toyota getting things right when they bring a car to market. This car is a mid engine car that became available at about the same time as the Pontiac Fiero and both were supposed to appeal to the masses and be wonderfully handling cars with plenty of performance. The Toyota outlasted the Fiero and just did it all better. Jeremiah's example was equipped with a carbon fibre hood, a body kit, dual tail scoop intakes at the rear, alloy wheels and a gray interior to offset all that red paint. It is truly a nice ride.

The second flag went to Juan Gonzales with a blue 2002 Toyota Corolla four door sedan. This car was modified with low profile tire, alloy mags, blue neons inside and out, a body kit, and custom taillights. This one also had been lowered and had a blue and silver interior. It looked good for a low rider.

The third flag went to Carlos Dominguez with a white 2003 Toyota Corolla four door sedan. It must have been a night for Toyotas and in the case of these two Corolla's, what a difference a year makes. These two looked nothing alike and that is before the custom modifications. Carlos' car was treated to Lamborgini style doors, 18 inch alloy wheels and low profile tires. His car also had a full compliment of aftermarket gauges inside and a TV incase one gets bored. I think that would be difficult in this car but one must be prepared.

The last checker flag went to Gerald Vanmeter with a 1979 Pontiac Gran Prix. Gerald's black Pontiac is probably a good example of a daily driver that is also suitable to cruise. The car has it battle scars and some rust showing here and there, but from 20 to 25 feet still shines and looks good. This Gran Prix is also out fitted with Corvette rally wheels, Chrysler fender mount turn signals and a maroon interior.

This week there were a lot of cars that were significant enough to be written about here, but I'll try to cover a few, Ok more than a few.

The first car that really caught my attention just after I parked PT onto Trophy row was a 1974 VW Beetle that really was sweet. Maybe because it was Purple all over and pulled up next to PT. That was a lot of purple in one spot, the Bug and PT. This car was driven in from Haines City and belongs to Squeak and Peaches. Honest I didn't make this up. I asked him how he got that named and he really didn't know but his mother gave it to him. he thought it unusual enough that this is what his tag on the Vdub says. This is probably the best Bug I have ever seen. The rear mounted engine had dual carbs, lots of chrome, shiny paint and was clean enough to eat off of. Inside there was more purple with a little white to break things up. This ride was way too cool.

On the other side of PT was a nice maroon 92 Mazda Protege four door sedan. This car was given a lot of road racer ques and looked really good. In addition to the sunroof and the deck mounted wing, this car had Hid head lamps, a body kit, hood scoop, 17 inch alloy wheels and tires. Inside there were a ton of gauges, a shift light hooked to that 5 speed, a sound system and black and red buckets.

There were also four 2005 Ford Mustang GT fastback coupes in the show tonight, and as with the PT Cruiser they are being customized and no two are the same. They too looked nice.

Every once in a while there is a really rare car that cruises on Friday night. This evening we probably had the rarest of all cars produced in the 1980's. The car in question is a 1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 Hurst/Olds 15th anniversary edition. This one is black and silver two tone with a gray cloth interior and a whopping 30,000 miles showing on the clock. this T-Top beauty looked brand new and to top it off it is for sale. The car is loaded with options and the owner claimed only 3001 were produced. I have verified that number and it is correct. I know that this column isn't to promote the sale of any car, but, in this case I have to make an exception. If any of my friends that are reading this is looking for a nice car that will with out any doubt appreciate in value, this is the car. Oldsmobile has been axed (bad GM), the Cutlass body was the number one selling car during most of the 80's (popular body style), Hurst recognition and exclusivity (anybody price a 68-75 Hurst Cutlass lately, BIG BUCKS), low low miles, T-Top and super clean. This is one car that is better than money in the bank. See the classified in this issue or the next for the contact info. I would buy this one myself but Emma said if I bring home another car before I buy her a house...well you can just imagine and this is a family publication so I can't repeat what I was told but it did come in loud and clear and as long as I can keep the PT and the Diplomat running I won't be buying anymore although that doesn't mean I can't replace one. Also I don't currently have a place to keep this Cutlass that would be out of the elements.

On Saturday I went with a friend to look at a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 that he is interested in buying. We both did research on the car to determine it was priced correctly and that the car was what it was represented to be. We both looked the car over for any serious flaws and found none. We both test drove the car and again found no serious flaws. We negotiated a price for the car and one was agreed upon. We thought it was time to hand over the check and drive this pony home. It is a good thing we did not do so. This car has one very critical flaw. As carefully that we checked over the car, we also checked over the paper work that comes with the car. In this case the previous registration (required on a car without a title) and the bill of sale had the incorrect VIN # on it and did not match the VIN on the car.

In this case I'm sure that it is a clerical error (an 8 in place of a 3) that will probably be corrected easily, but in this case as well is going to be the sellers problem to fix. Had we handed over the check and taken delivery, it would have been our problem and paperwork is the only thing between you and someone else's claim to ownership of a vehicle. It is crucial that the paperwork on any car and especially a collector car is perfect before money is exchanged. The seller is a whole lot less motivated to fix a problem if he has your money and if the legitimacy of a car is in question you could lose your money and the car.

It has happened and there is a case in the courts as we speak concerning an authentic Warner Brothers 1969 Dodge Charger General Lee Wheel Stander that more than one person claims to own. At stake is a one of one car and a value of between junk value and upwards of a million dollars depending on who's lawyer you listen to and it all comes down to paper work. It is a case of BUYER BEWARE.

On a lighter note, Friday was also Lynn Olson's birthday. I think I heard someone say sweet 16 but I know she has a few more than that. Tony DeGennaro walked up to me and proclaimed and I will quote "MY WIFE'S NUTS". I don't think he was referring to Marianne's mental state however, because he was pointing at the picnic table with the birthday cake and a pan of "sweet spiced walnuts". The nuts were good and Marianne seemed OK to me but I certainly wouldn't want to stir her fire. HA HA HA. Thanks Tony and Maryanne for the comedy.

I guess this concludes another Friday night report so until next have fun and cruise safely.