1953 Chevy Bel-Air “Wild Thing.” Owner, Randy Rinker, Syracuse. Photos by Blair Baumgartner.

By Blair Baumgartner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The annual American Legion Riders Cruise-In had plenty of sunshine this year. The Cruise-In took place from 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 26, at The American Legion Riders Post #223, 1008 S. Huntington St., Syracuse.

The many classic cars were beaming in the sunlight and the air was filled with the sound of the Beach Boys.

The event raises money for Toys For Tots, Operation Comfort Warriors and Wawasee High School student scholarships.

Patrons at the event enjoyed hamburgers and hot dogs, cornhole, a 50/50 raffle, fire pit raffle and a custom cornhole board silent auction.

American Legion Riders member Randy Rinker said, “The Cruise-In was a fantastic time. The weather could not have been any better.”

Lucky raffle and prize winners included BBQ fire pit, Mitch Gravenstuk; custom cornhole boards silent auction, Cassie Bowen; and 50/50 raffle, Jo Baskerville.

Bowen graciously donated the cornhole boards back to the Legion.

Rinker displayed his 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, “Wild Thing.” The car features a 555 cubic inch big block racing engine and packs 890 horsepower under the hood.

He said, “I bought it from a guy in Milwaukee. I saw it at a race in Byron, Ill. My son-in-law and I have done a lot of work on it. We just got to run it at the U.S. National Drag Strip at Indy Raceway Park.”

Joe and Mary Alice Maloni, Huntington, drove their 1935 International to the Cruise-In.

Joe Maloni said, “It was on blocks at an Indian reservation junkyard in South Dakota. I spent six years restoring it.”

They never tow the vehicle. Mary Alice Maloni said, “If you see it on a trailer, call 911.”

Rod Beer, Syracuse, displayed his hot rod, “Beer Keg.”

Beer said, “I built it in 1969 during my senior year in high school. I raced it for years and then my family intervened. I got it out of the barn a year ago and it took me about a year to put back together. It was just a pile of parts. I worked on it almost every night. I just finished it two weeks ago. It should be a 200 mph car. I will probably race it at Bunker Hill. I decided life is too short. It’s now or never.”

Ken Butt, Syracuse, displayed his 1927 Dodge Roadster.

Butt said, “I bought it last year. I tore it down and went through everything. I just turned 76. It was a birthday present to myself. I haven’t raced since 1970. I raised a family and now I can play again.”

Gary and Faith Calhoon, Warsaw, displayed their 1978 Mustang II “Ghia” Special Edition.

Gary Calhoon said, “I bought it at a garage sale in Milford. It’s all original and has never been restored. It’s only been driven 27,000 miles.”

Mike Smith, Millersburg, showed his 1954 Chevrolet Corvette.

Smith said, “I bought it in 1973 from a Chevy dealer. It was in 1,000 pieces. I didn’t fully restore it until 1986. It was the 1,980th one ever made. The first one was made in 1953.”

Robert Studebaker displayed his 1922 Studebaker 2-Pass Roadster “Special-Six.” Studebaker said, “It is a true survivor and extremely rare pre-war car with only two others known to exist in the world.”

Fred Bickel, Warsaw, showed off his 1937 Desoto. Bickel said, “I dug it out of the building 10 years ago. I spent four years building it. It’s not a show car. It’s just a driver.”

Harold Gunkel, North Webster, displayed his 1950 Chevy. Gunkel said, “I’ve had it six years. It took about three years to restore. I’m still working on it. I’m always adding something.”