Photos from July '09

Photos by Tom Gillespie, who just won 3rd place in a USA TODAY travel photography contest.

Gotta stay behind the line -flying rubber from the burnout may hit you! And when a tire pops, the crowd goes nuts - hootin' and hollering and clapping!

This is a great burnout!

The rest of these photos come from Car Gal.

In Oakboro, you can't get an exact count of the number of street rods, classic cars and other vehicles participating in the event. However, we did count around 400 on July 24. That didn't include all the side parking areas. For more photos, visit our Facebook page. You can click on the link at the top of this Website.

Let's Talk AC Cobra ....

Car Gal also asked about the AC Cobra. Owner Ed Curlee shares this information -- AC Cobras dominated road racing during the mid 60’s and are one of the most revered racing automobiles of all time. Original Cobra values have reached near one million dollars and some even more depending upon the car history and condition.

This car is a 1966 AC Cobra replica by Lone Star Classics of Fort Worth, Texas. It’s powered by a ’65 model Ford 427 stretched to 452 ci. Sitting atop this legendary cross-bolt main block is a set of massaged Edelbrock aluminum medium riser heads, a Blue Thunder intake and a Braswell blueprinted Holley carburetor.

A Tremec TKO 600 5-speed trans feeds the torque to an adjustable four-link rear suspension featuring a 9” Ford Trac-Lok posi rear end. Chassis equipment includes 4 wheel disc brakes, twin master cylinders (front/rear), tubular front control arms and adjustable coil-over shocks. Color is Cherry red with Ultra white stripes.

Car Gal notes that one of our volunteers sat in it. He's 6'4" and had a difficult time getting out. And Car Gal confesses that she didn't know what an AC Cobra was. She asked the car owner who looked a little stunned by her lack of knowledge. Well, he's a real trouper and teacher. Car Gal thanks you, Ed!

GT-40 MK II

Car Gal asked for information about the GT-40 and the Cobra that were showcased at the July cruise-in.....

The car is a Superformance GT-40 MK II that was assembled by *Olthoff Racing out of Mt. Ulla, NC. Mark Ray researched the car for Joe Henderson in detail to help recreate a car that would be right at home on the grid at LeMans.

Correct color, motor, race lighting, roundals and #5 were all done to original specification. Even a set of stainless steel bundle of snakes (headers) were located to give the car a true period presentation. It is an accurate recreation of the Holman Moody third place finishing car at LeMans in 1966. Henry Ford II mandated that Ford must beat Ferrari at the greatest road race in the world! GT-40's finished 1-2-3 that year at LeMans.

Lee Holman of *Holman Moody participated with supplying many of the details and correctly themed 500+hp big block 427 FE side oiler built by Jimmy Tucker. Larry Wallace also of Holman Moody grinded an original spec Holman Moody 882 camshaft. As in the day the car is right hand drive with outboard right hand sill shifter. The car is street legal has A/C and can accelerate with most anything street driven today.

* Holman Moody: Lee Holman at (704) 583-2888 or http://www.holmanmoody.com/
* Olthoff Racing: Dennis Olthoff at (704) 647-9924 or http://www.olthoffracing.com/

Lots of Cars

Cars come and go - but we still counted more than 400 vehicles participating in the Cruise-In tonight. Photos are forthcoming - as well as information about those two sleek, sexy cars that were parked at the stoplight. They were quite a rare sighting. And the winner of the 50/50 raffle took home $165 tonight!

The Rattlesnake shown here has a very unique paint on it that looks red, brown, purple or green, depending upon the angle of the light. The paint itself runs about $800 a quart.

Weather Looks Great on Friday

Be sure to bring your camera! The Queen City Corvette Club and the Charlotte Region's Hornets Nest are coming. That means a lot of shiny, pretty, old cars with sleek, sexy lines! We'll have lots of musical entertainment -- and be sure to buy a 50/50 ticket. You can go home with hard, cold cash! ....

Musical entertainment will be provided by two different performers. Erin & The Darlings and Roy Orbison tribute artist, Tony King, will keep your foot tapping. ... USA TODAY award-winning photographer Tom Gillespie will be roving around with his camera. Photos will be used to promote the Cruise-in. Smile!

Cruise-in Featured on "Roy's Folks"

Check out this link to see what is on the Internet and being shown in the Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point television market. And the story was sent to the national FOX network for distribution to other affiliates.

Roy's Folks is a feature segment that airs on WGHP Fox 8. The producer is David Weatherly. The on-air talent is Roy Ackland.

The pair has traveled around the world producing exciting stories about fascinating places. Some of their stories have aired across the nation - and overseas. And in May 2009, they came to Oakboro. This story may grow legs and be seen in other places, too.

Not much surprises them anymore. They've just about seen it all - but the story they captured about the car, the wedding, etc - well - you'll just have to turn on your speakers and click on the link.

May 22, 2009 photos

Scott Garland submitted these photos.

Photos of May 2009

Finally! Here are some images from May..... And no, that's not a Mary Kay pink Caddie. It was originally green and was restored with a pale shade of pink.

Roy's Folks Coming to Cruise-in

Roy Ackland and David Weatherly with WGHP-TV Fox 8 in High Point are planning to come to the cruise-in on Friday. Roy is the on-air talent and David is the show's producer and videographer. Both are incredibly talented men. The name of the show is Roy's Folks.

They specialize in fun feature stories and have traveled throughout the Carolinas and Virginia finding interesting tales to tell. We're delighted to have them as our guests! Watch for the "Folkswagon!"

May 22 Cruise-in On Schedule

Pinch me. The weather will be wonderful on Friday!

Last month, because the temperature was so nice, we had our second largest crowd of cars and people ever! The street was lined with cars shortly after 1 p.m. They were still coming into town after 8 p.m. We had a steady line of shiny old classics, sexy street rods and those waiting for a colorful coat of paint.

Tony King will be our guest musician. He is a Roy Orbison tribute artist. Pretty cars and "Pretty Woman." Be sure to get some 50/50 tickets. Last month's winner went home $98 richer! Bring your lawn chairs, your cameras, your most comfortable walking shoes and an appetite for lots of cars. We like to call it "Living History."

Bojangles Features Oakboro in Commercials

In August 2008, the advertising agency for Bojangles came to town. TV commercial producers interviewed a lot of people and captured a lot of images of cars.

Commercials began airing across the Carolinas in January 2009. The first one featured Jake DelHomme and Steve Smith with the Carolina Panthers. Oakboro Cruise-in volunteer Joel Leonard was also in the commercial. He's a tall guy who used to play football - and sometimes sells the 50/50 tickets.

Now, a second commercial is airing with Jerry Crayton, Cruise-in founder and Mayor Joyce Little. The spot opens announcing the Oakboro Cruise-In and shows a lot of cars throughout - and ends with a great daytime shot along Main Street.

We thank Bojangles for coming to our town and for helping us promote what we think is the biggest and best cruise-in anywhere.

2009 Season Heats Up: 400+ cars, 8,000+ people

Oh, my gosh. Coming into Oakboro traffic was backed up all the way to the school. And it took 15 or so minutes to get from there to downtown. By 1:30 p.m., streets were already crowded with parked cars.

Organizers estimate this was the second largest crowd ever, with around 8,000 people and 400 or so cars. They were everywhere - and many had never been to the Oakboro Cruise-in before. We checked out the new restaurant, Boomers. Hamburgers were big and tasty. Loved the home fries.

One lucky person took home $98 in cash from the 50/50. Sometimes a dollar ticket can really pay off! .... And wouldn't you know it - this would be the night my camera batteries died!

It's April - That Means BURNOUT!

Are your camera batteries charged? Better get 'em ready! Burnouts start this month!

The Featured Car of the Month will be the 1915 Ford Touring Car belonging to Mr. Heath Hahn of Red Cross. The car will be placed at the intersection of 2nd Street and Main Street, near the stop light. Be sure to check it out.

Souvenir calendars are for sale at $5 each. Our new Welcome to Oakboro Magazine is free - be sure to take one home with you.

You'll hear music coming from Neal Smith. Follow his sound to purchase your 50/50 tickets. Last year, people left with more than $100 in cash. Or, purchase your tickets from any member of the Medical Laboratory Technician Club. Tickets will be sold throughout the evening and at the burnout site.

The cruise-in is sponsored by the Greater Oakboro Business Association. Participants are reminded to follow all traffic laws while driving through town. Special parking is available for handicapped. For further information, call 704-485-4323 or 704-485-2065.

Burnout Changes Time from 9:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

March came in like a lion, so we're hoping it will go out like a lamb - and give us great weather on March 27.

Burnouts will begin in April - and we've moved the time from 9:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. So mark your calendars!

Be sure to bring some cash to buy 50/50 tickets. We've been giving away hard, cold cash to lucky winners! If you see someone in a bright neon-colored STAFF shirt, ask where you can buy the tickets. Monies raised go to put on future cruise-ins.