I made the drive to Sunbury on Sunday morning to participate in the 28th Annual Sunbury Lions Club Country Cruise-In (formerly ASC Sunbury Relay for Life Country Cruise-In).
Although the weather was unusually warm for this time of year, no one complained too much. We all understood there won't be many more warm and sunny days left in this year.
The Lions Club did something new this year that I think deserves comment. They added three additional "Favorite" awards for vehicles 2000 and newer. This brought the grand total of "Favorites" to 73.
From what I understand, there were a few complaints last year about some of the newer cars receiving awards. You can count my 2013 Camaro ZL1 convertible as one of those newer cars to receive a "Favorite" award at last year's show. Some felt the show was exclusively a "classic" car show, and as such, only classic vehicles should be eligible for an award.
I think any show intended for "classic" only cars should be up front about this in all advertising and marketing. I have no issue with a show specifying that it's for cars of a certain age. On the other hand, understand that those of us with modern sport or muscle cars do enjoy showing off our vehicles too. If we give up an afternoon and pay the registration fee to participate in a show, it's only fair that our vehicle be considered for award. What is frustrating is a show that readily takes your money but has no intention of considering your car for an award.
With that said, I applaud the Lions Club for recognizing the newer cars. This makes good business sense as it will expand the number of vehicles likely to participate in the show each year. There's talk of increasing the number of 2000 and newer awards to five for next year's show.
The warm weather appears to have kept some vehicles home this year. Participation was down from the previous year with 187 registered vehicles. There were some interesting cars that did manage to show up despite the heat.
The 1940 Ford 2 Door Sedan of Larry and Vicky Tisdale of Johnstown made one of its few local appearances. I first saw the car at the Creekside event in August.
Steve and Brenda Andrix from Galena brought their modified 1954 Chevy Bel Air. Last week the car received the 50s & 60s modified class award at Cruisin' for a Cause.
This 1959 Rambler American wagon was a standout.
Jim Wolf drove down from Plymouth, Ohio with his customized 1958 Cadillac limousine. It drew a lot of attention from the crowd.
The air brushed paint on this 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint belonging to B. McCombe of Delaware made it very unique.
The push button automatic transmission selector on Mike Hermann's 1964 Plymouth Belvedere brought back memories. My family owned a 1960 Dodge with a similar bush button transmission selector.
THE AWARDS
As previously mentioned, the Sunbury Lions Club gave out 70 "Favorites" to vehicles older than 2000. There were three additional "Favorites" for vehicles 2000 and newer. Special awards were presented to military vehicles along with "Best of Show" for car, truck, street rod, most original unrestored, and a "sponsor's choice".
Judging was again based on a points system.
Military Awards:
- Jeff Mosley - 1944 Willys Jeep
- Terry Dillon - 1953 M38-A
- John Mayer - 1978 AM General M8-14
Best of Show Awards:
- Dan Kirchner - 1965 Pontiac Firebird (car)
- Benson Perkins - 1948 Dodge Pilot House pickup (truck)
- Tom Mahoney - 1974 Triumph TR6 (original, unrestored)
- Don Philips - 1939 Plymouth BD Coupe (street rod)
- Pete Lieb - 1962 Chevy Bel Air "409" (sponsor's choice)
The heat didn't deter the Sunbury Lions Club from putting on another good cruise-in. The location, food choices, and judging all added up to make this one of the better shows of the season. I plan to be back next year.