The Car Club for Old Cars and the Young at Heart People.

 

 

 

Newsletter

To keep all informed of happenings at our monthly 'cruise-in', we give a plaque each month to the "Cruiser of the Month", and they will be chosen by vote of participants and visitors. We host a great cruise-in on the first Sunday of each month at the Winn Dixie Mira Bay south of Apollo Beach on US Highway 41, 1 PM to 5 PM. Please come join us.


This Pristine Buick is for Uncles Kenneth and Sam

Mark Johnson feels a special connection with Buick cars. It shows in his beautifully restored 1956 Special, winner of the Roamin' Oldies Car Club's January cruiser of the month trophy.

Men from both sides of his family were long-time employees at the Buick factory in Flint, Michigan, and his uncles Kenneth and Sam very likely had a hand in building Mark's car. He bought it 10 years ago, and spent a year and a half doing all the mechanical work in the 18-month restoration, including installation of a 1966 Buick 401 Nailhead engine, Super Turbine transmission and Posi-traction rear end assembly.

Mark's two-door sedan was honored as best modified car at the 2016 National Buick Show, and he also enjoys driving it to auto events throughout the South Shore area.

 

 


Roamin' Oldies Club members donate $1500 to the Marines .

This donation by members allows about 15 young Marines to attend the 2024 Birthday Ball.

 

 


Sporty Red '34 Ford A Car Show Winner for May 2023.

A bright red and meticulously restored 1934 Ford cabriolet shown by Ed Cressy of Palmetto has won top honors as cruiser of the month at the Roamin' Oldies May 1 show in Apollo Beach.

He acquired the car about seven years ago, and embarked on an ongoing updating process, with a fresh many-coat paint job, a new 350 cubic inch V8 engine, automatic overdrive transmission and many other improvements. The sporty red Ford is a familiar sight for area enthusiasts, as he enjoys driving and showing it at automotive events throughout the South Shore area.

 

 


Ray Redell's radically customized 1937 Ford Sedan Delivery Is Cruiser of the Month for April 2023.

A custom-built 1937 Ford sedan delivery shown by Ray Redell of Bradenton was selected as Cruiser of the Month at the Roamin' Oldies Car Club's April show.

Ray said "I wanted something different", and he certainly got that when he found the metallic blue-and-gray showpiece. Compact but potent, it's powered by a 375-horsepower V8 engine coupled to a 4-speed automatic transmission, riding on an updated suspension with Mustang front-end components. Ray drives his Ford regularly, and it's a frequent winner at both local shows and major events.

 

 


1957 T-Bird Beauty Is Cruiser of the Month for March 2023.

Tim Faltus and his sons Kyle and Dylan of Ruskin worked for six years replacing or refurbishing every nut, bolt, fixture and component of their 1957 Thunderbird. The result is a stunning concours-quality roadster selected as the Roamin' Oldies cruiser of the month at its first-ever public showing.

Tim found working with his sons rewarding, and finding the right parts the most time-consuming part of the job. "We wanted to keep it all original, and it took a lot of time and work to get them all. We had to go overseas to find some."

Now that it's done, he plans to update just enough of the 67-year-old technology to make the T-Bird safe and comfortable for 21st –century driving conditions. "I call it concours-to-driver." he said. He's saving the original parts so it can be refitted to its all-original state.

 

 


Sleek, low custom Chevy Roamin' Oldies top pick for February 2023.

A stunning 1949 Chevrolet sedan delivery shown by Danny Tarpley of Gibsonton, is the Roamin' Oldies Car Club's February cruiser of the month.

Designed and built by noted customizer Mark Cummings, it campaigned as the "Widowmaker" for several years on national show circuits. Little remains of its working-class Chevy origins. Its Firebird front clip houses a turbo-charged 350 cubic-inch V8 engine. With a 5-inch chopped top and airbag suspension, it is low-slung, sleek and then some.

Danny, who has been a car buff since he was 15, was instantly smitten at the sign of the Widowmaker. He said, "As soon as I saw it, I told myself, I gotta have this one." A week later, he did. Fellow enthusiasts agree, and the car drew a steady stream of admirers at the Sunday cruise-in.

 

 


Pretty Red 1969 Camaro Roamin' Oldies Top Pick for January 2023.

A potent and pretty bright red 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS shown by new owner Charles Boyd of Valrico is the Roamin' Oldies Car Club's first cruiser of the month for 2023.

It's powered by Chevy's renowned 327 cubic-inch V8 engine, backed by a four-speed transmission and fitted with power steering and disc brakes. Charles, who restores cars as a hobby with son Ryan, said, "I've always loved Camaros, and we've been looking for one. This is the cleanest one I've seen, so here it is."

 

 


1966 Ford Fairlane GT Holiday Show Top Pick

An immaculately restored 1966 Ford Fairlane GT owned and driven by Palmetto resident Willow was selected as December cruiser of the month at the Roamin' Oldies 2022 Christmas benefit show in Apollo Beach.

The glistening black hardtop attracts a steady stream of admirers, many of whom had, or wish they had, one like it decades ago. "The car just brings back memories," Willow says. "People see it and remember."

She and husband Allen Pearson bought the Fairlane five years ago from a friend who was just completing a full restoration. "He knew we were Ford people and would take good care of it." It's powered by a 390 cubic-inch Ford V8 engine, with a 4-speed manual transmission. They enjoy driving and showing it, and have put 8,500 miles on it since restoration.

 

 


From Rust Bucket To Prize-Winning Mach 1

You'd never guess it, but George Okada bought his 1969 Mustang Mach 1 for $150. "I got it in 1986 in New York City, and it was a real rust bucket," he said. But he and a few pals started bringing it back to life. How did they do that in garage-deficient NYC? In the street. With a come-along hung from a tree branch for an engine hoist.

It's come a long way over the 36 years from that scruffy start. Now it's not just a fast Mustang, with a sparkling metallic blue finish, it's also one very handsome Mach 1, winner of the Roamin' Oldies Car Club October cruiser of the month award.

Now outfitted for both street and drag strip, it's equipped with a Ford-based Man 'O War 460-cubic-inch engine, and runs the quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds, at a top speed of 124 mph. It's been a long-term labor of love, and George did it all except for the body work.

 

 


Record 157 Christmas show entrants brighten the 2021 holiday season.

On behalf of the membership and the executive board of the Roamin' Oldies Car Club, I would like to say THANK YOU to all our sponsors and supporters who made this year's Christmas show an incredible success. We were able to fund our three local charities with both cash and toys. It never ceases to amaze me how generous the car community is. Again - THANK YOU!

Frank Gagliardi, President.

A record 157 cars and trucks participated, making this our biggest Christmas show ever. Volunteers who worked to make it happen include:

Marie Mankedick
Lou Szuch
Tony Corrao
Mary Werley
Ed Beyer
Doug Fitzgerald
Gloria Fitzgerald
Frank Gagliardi
Andy Kretler
Dorothy Kretler
Daniel Coombs
Fred Fiedler
Tom Scott
Sheila Scott
Bill Young
Wendell Anderson
Tracy from South Shore Signs (for trophies)

Awards:

Thompson's Auto Parts Choice

Tom Dickson, Apollo Beach, 1951 Mercury.

 

 

Latitudes Restaurant and Lounge Choice

Dale Weeks, Ruskin, 1955 Chevrolet pickup

 

 

Hagerty's Insurance Choice

Michael Sextons' Cobra.

 

 

Members' choice

Rick Ricks, Valencia Lakes, 1964 Pontiac

 

 

Members' choice

Frank Dwyer, Ruskin, 1949 Chevrolet pickup

 

 

Some of the great cars attending the show:

 

 

 

 


Fender to fender with the best of Tampa Bay.

Two Roamin' Oldies members were on the show field for the invitation-only 2021 Gasparilla Concours d' Elegance at the TPC Tampa Bay Golf Course.

Mike Kelso was there with his meticulously restored 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix, along with Pat Masterson and his diligently preserved 350,000-mile 1969 Chevrolet Camaro.

The Concours is the most prestigious automotive event in the Tampa Bay region, and being asked to participate is a signature event for any enthusiast. Mike's Pontiac placed second in his very competitive class, and Pat was recognized in the preservation class for keeping his Camaro all original, fresh and on the road for 53 years of ownership.

 

 

 

 


Handsome '50 Ford Pickup Is Roamin' Oldies Top Pick.

A splendidly restored 1950 Ford F1 pickup, shown by Steve Parker and son Eathan, was selected as cruiser of the month at the Roamin' Oldies Car Club's 2021 holiday show.

The show is conducted annually by the club to brighten the Christmas season for those who can use a helping hand, by collecting childrens' toys for area children and providing support for local charities. This year's event was the largest ever, attracting more than 150 antique and collectible vehicles.

Steve and Eathan's prize-winning pickup remains unmistakably a '50 Ford F1 on the outside, but it is thoroughly modern inside and under the hood. It is powered by a 302 cubic-inch V8, coupled to an automatic transmission, and fitted with power disc brakes and air conditioning for capable and comfortable driving.

The Roamin' Oldies host a cruise-in from 1 to 4 p.m. the first Sunday of every month, with a rain date the following Sunday, at the Mira Bay Village Shopping Center on US41 in Apollo Beach. About 100 of the area's finest antique and collectible cars often take part, accompanied by classic oldies music played by DJ Joey Ferrante. Event sponsors include Thompson's Auto Parts and Hagerty Classic Car Insurance. For information, call Frank at 856-373-8497.

 

 


Passing of Joe Ferrante

Januay 2021. Former Roamin Oldies President Joe Ferrante has passed on after a long illness. There was an enormous Celebration of Life car show for him at the DogHouse in Ruskin.


Roamin Oldies 2019 Christmas Show is a huge success.

The Sun City Center Roamin' Oldies Car Club's December 5 benefit Christmas show attracted 153 show vehicles, a multitude of spectators, mounds of toys and generous donations to three local charities. Shown below, Elf Carol Aaron is surrounded by toys donated by participants and visitors. Show proceeds were distributed to North River Care, Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA), and Beth-El Farm Workers Ministry.

 

 

Some of the great cars in attendance:

 

 


Gateway Classic Show 2019.

The Roamin' Oldies were honored as the Featured Car Club at Gateway Classic Cars' September 28 Caffeine and Chrome event. About 50 club members and guests were there to show off their cars on a bright and sunny Saturday morning. Shown above, Club president Frank Gagliardi, Bill Young and Joey Ferrante joined Gateway Classic Cars representatives Jake Levin and Johnny Lane around the Ferrante Mercury convertible.

 

 


Roamin Oldies at the Ruskin Tomato Festival May, 2019.

The Roamin' Oldies returned to the Ruskin Tomato Festival for the 2019 event, presenting a well-attended show of collectible cars, trucks and street rods under the trees at E.G. Simmons Park.

 

 

 

 


From the Cruise-In to the Concours.

The Roamin' Oldies were represented by two of our members at the inaugural Gasparilla Concours d' Elegance April 13, 2019 in Tampa. Earl Muhlbaier's all-original 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 was among the prestitigous assemblage of atuomotive history on the downown Curtis Hixon Park show field, participating in the Heritage Preservation class. Member Bob Reynolds, in charge of finances for the Concours organizing committee, worked behind the scenes for many months, planning, organizing and promoting, to make the event a success.

 

 



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The Roamin' Oldies cruise-in is held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month at the Mira Bay Winn-Dixie Plaza on US41. The event is free to both entrants and spectators, and the public is welcome.

About 60 of the area's finest antique and collectible cars and trucks are typically on display, accompanied by classic 1950's music played by DJ Joey Ferrante. The event is sponsored by Thompson's Auto Parts, Mark McElwain Custom Exhaust, Hagerty Classic Car Insurance, and the Florida Railroad Museum. For information, call Frank Gagliardi - 856-373-8497.