Nova Car Clubs

HOUR STORY: Metro East car club attract lovers of chrome

For many, a classic car cruise is not only a chance to look at cars, but also an opportunity to meet old friends — and the July 23 cruise at the Glen Carbon Denny's restaurant was no exception.

By about 6 p.m. muscle cars, gassers and a few 1930s and 1940s sedans had taken over the parking lot. Over speakers, '50s and '60s music — heavy on The Beach Boys — blared.

The Piston Pushers, a Metro East classic car club, sponsored the show, which drew lots of fans despite the high temps.

"We try to do two a month," said club President Rocky Collins, of Troy. He said the cruises are held at locations throughout the Metro East, usually at restaurants or auto parts stores.

Most of the cars are from the 1950s through early 1970s. Between 50 and 150 cars are usually displayed, depending on the weather.

Charles Alexander, of Mitchell, comes out for "the horsepower and the people."

"It brings out the kid in you. The people are really nice — they treat you like a brother or sister," he said while looking at cars.

Most sat with hoods open to show off engines. Sometimes owners sat or stood nearby to answer questions about their motorized pride and joy.

Toward the back of the restaurant, more cars were pulling in, including a 1955 Chevy 210 sedan driven by Kenny Gresham, of Granite City. The car was a gasser — a name given to standard cars manufactured from the 1930s to early 1960s modified for drag racing. He bought it about 10 years ago.

"A fellow drove it to here from San Diego when he got out of the Marines in 1966. It sat in a garage until I bought it," Gresham said.

As he talked, Gresham brought over Wesley Doolittle, a Granite City neighbor. As is often the case, the easiest way to start a conversation was to ask about his car.

"A 1956 Chevrolet two-door sedan Bel Air 383 cubic-inch Stroker motor with a 350 turbo Ford 9-inch rear-end disc brake," Doolittle said, without taking a breath.

Doolittle enjoys both the camaraderie of the shows, as well as working on the cars.

"I've been doing motorcycles for 40-plus years and ran out of things to do, so I switched over to four-wheels for awhile," he added.

Doolittle started talking to Roger Elliot, also of Granite City, another regular.

"I was a mechanic for 40 years. I've had them all my life, old cars. You can look at the one over there and see the workmanship on it," Elliot said, pointing to his 1963 Nova sedan.

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