Midway area cruise-in signals end of summer

Take a look at one of our favorite outdoor events! It takes place every year, at one of our favorite restaurants …

There are always acres of vintage and specialty vehicles on display at the End of Summer Cruise-in.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The End of Summer Cruise-in is an annual mid-September event in outer SE Portland. It attracts aficionados of specialty and vintage vehicles of all ages and kinds. The owners love showing them off; and spectators enjoy looking at their handiwork.

Rick Glover shows off his 1951 Studebaker Starlight Coupe.

One car that caught our eye was a pale green 1951 Studebaker Starlight Coupe.

“I’ve only had it for a couple of months,” said proud owner Rick Glover. “I love the uniqueness of this vehicle; there’s not many of them around. It drives wonderfully.”

Two David Douglas High School Concert Choir members — junior Maleah Cooper, and sophomore Dannah Hooper – raise money for their group by selling tickets to a 50/50 raffle.

Cruise-in judge Jim Chretien, of Classic Rides Car Club, checks out this year’s entries, before marking down his picks for awards.

“The greatest thing about going to cruise-ins like this one,” show judge Jim Chretien told us, “is to be with all these wonderful people, and see the different great cars. It makes a fun afternoon when everyone stops by and takes a look at the cars.”

In addition to his own organization, Classic Rides Car Club, which hosted the event, Chretien said he was pleased to also have representatives from other clubs, such as “The Pharaohs” and “Loose Ends” – plus a lot of individual car enthusiasts.

“We have a pretty good turnout, considering the threatening weather,” Chretien remarked, as he looked at the cloudy sky. “This is pretty much it, for car shows for another year.”

The pepperoni-and-olive decorated costumes worn by Caitlin and Courtney Vanderberg tell it all, much to the amusement of Pizza Baron proprietors Bill and Jeff Dayton. The event is held in their parking lot!

Chretien said this cruise-in is one of his favorites. “Bill and his crew at Pizza Baron really take good care of us folks from the car clubs. We love having cruise-ins here. Also it’s really a good location, because many people who drive by on SE 122^nd Avenue stop by and take a look.”

Until next summer, when clement weather again rules, classic car lovers will go back to their second love – tending to their chromed beauties under cover, in their workshops.

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