SAAC: The 2011 Westbrook Labor Day Weekend Car Show
Sunday, September 18th, 2011, Westbrook Elks Lodge #1784, Westbrook, CT - A Production of The Shoreline Recycled Teenage Cruisers Car Club
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A Magnificent Westbrook Recovery! – We check out the Shoreline Recycled Teenage Cruisers’ 8th Annual Labor Day Weekend Car Show, in Westbrook, CT – Rescheduled due to Irene’s visit, but just as great as ever!

We’ve enjoyed attending this wonderful Shoreline-area event for many years, normally held on the Sunday right before Labor Day (hence it’s name). For the 2011 version, however, Mother Nature forced a change of plans…

As the show originally had been planned to take place on Sunday, September 4th, 2011, however, “Hurricane Irene” (ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Irene_(2011)) had blown through just one week earlier, and the car show field at the Westbrook Elks Lodge on Seaside Avenue was just not suitable for a car show scheduled to take place only one week away from the flooding situation that was sustained. The Shoreline Recycled Teenage Cruisers (http://www.shorelinecruiserssrtc.com/) faced a challenge about what to do—and in short order they came up with a great-sounding plan. Quoting from SRTC Representative Lucille's e-mail note dated 9/2/2011:

"...Hello Steve, Due to storm damage at the Elks Lodge we are rescheduling our Labor Day Car Show to Sept. 18th, with a raindate of Oct 9th. Same time same place... Would you please update our information. Thank you for your help and hope to see you Sept 18th... Lucille Sharp, Shoreline Recycled Teenage Cruisers..."

As the new rescheduled date for the 2011 event approached, Sunday the 18th, was looking to be a bright, sunny, and warm day, and we knew that, among many events happening in Connecticut that day (and not just car events—more about that later), the Shoreline Recycled Teenage Cruisers’ rescheduled Labor Day Weekend Car Show at the Westbrook Elks Lodge was going to be happening, and being “Diehard Shoreliners,” there was no question as to what car event we were going to choose from to attend!

We decided to drive out in Diane’s ’63 Karmann Ghia Convertible, and with such a nice day, we decided to stay on Route 1—even though our old SAAC buddy Don Hansen had warned us about all the Parade and associated goings-on that day along Route 1 in Clinton (State Firemen’s Convention Parade AND Clinton Fire Department 100th Anniversary Celebration). Good luck was with us, since, as far as we could tell, we got through Clinton just ahead of Route 1 being blocked off for several hours for the huge firemen’s shindig.

Also, lucky as we were along the way, just about across from the CFD headquarters, we noticed our VW friends Greg & Kelly Mattesen set up to spectate along the edge of Route 1, as their daughter Amelia was going to be marching with the Portland High School Marching Band in the parade! We were able to stop for a moment and chat with Greg & Kelly, and then were on our way again toward the Westbrook Elks. We saw an INCREDIBLE number of firetrucks parked “everywhere” in businesses, on side streets, etc., as we continued into Westbrook (firetrucks and support vehicles were parked as far east as the Sophia’s restaurant parking lot in Westbrook!).

Finally we made it to the Elks Club, and found the show to be already “rocking,” with a very healthy turnout! Our Branford old car buddy Bill Raccio was working directing incoming show cars, and gave us a warm welcome.

Once we got registered and parked (as I recall, our window card was numbered #161, so not a bad turnout at all—and I’m sure at least another 20-25 or so cars came in after us), it was time to check out the show!

It was nice to see that the car show field had survived the seawater flooding that it had sustained over “hurricane weekend,” and we only noticed a couple of minor soft spots, along with a very slight bit of “seawater” aroma (hopefully the main clubhouse for the Westbrook Elks survived ok also).

Along with checking out all the cool old cars and trucks, we also ran into several great old car friends, including “Matt the VW Kid” from Westbrook, plus fellow SAAC “old-timers” Larry Burridge (Larry walked the short distance from his home to the show), Dave Hackett (of “David Hackett Restorations” fame, 381 Middlesex Turnpike, Old Saybrook, CT 06475, telephone 860-388-1082) who drove his beautiful ’59 Mercedes 190 Sedan, Phil Hamilton from Deep River who drove his beloved ’66 Valiant, and Bob Ruggiero who drove his awesome ’32 Graham Sedan over from Clinton.

Continuing, we enjoyed seeing our buddy Jack Tary from Haddam who was showing his superb original ’57 Ford Fairlane Retractable, our good friends Nancy and David Cardone who drove their “corporate” ’74 Super Beetle with “Cardone & Daughter Automotive” logos (ref: their well-known antique auto repair business located at 177 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, CT 06498, telephone 860-664-0727, web site: http://www.cardoneanddaughter.com/).

Though we did not get the chance to chat with them, we also enjoyed seeing the beautiful vehicles of our friends Didier Rocherolle from Old Lyme (burgundy ’50 Citroen 15-Six), Lou Panico from Clinton (bright red ’66 Dodge Convertible), and Hal Farrington from Old Saybrook (bright red ’66 GTO).

Along the way, I took several pictures, some of which you see on this page--hope they help to give a feel for what a nice showing of beautiful antique cars & trucks this was.

Near the main table (where Northford’s own “Rockin’ Richard” Phillips, ref: http://www.gigsalad.com/best_dj_karaoke_service_northford) was spinning lots of great oldies music), we noticed a board with a list of show sponsors, and thankfully I had the presence of mind to snap a photo of the “Sponsors” board, and will include that image on this page. Many business cards of local people and/or companies who provided support for the event were displayed. I think it is worth noting the names that were listed, who helped the Shoreline Recycled Teenage Cruisers make the 2011 version of this event a reality: NAPA Auto Parts of Guilford (Bo and Brian Norman, ref: http://www.napaonline.com/ct/guilford), Palumbo’s Automotive of Guilford (http://www.palumbosautomotive.com/), Custom Engraving of Branford (Frank Cimino, ref: http://custom-engraving.net/), B&B Performance of Branford (http://www.bbperformance.com/), Technique Printers of Clinton (http://clinton.patch.com/listings/technique-printers-inc), Shuttercraft of Madison (http://www.shuttercraft.com/), Sharp Racing Engines of Guilford (203-457-0789), A-1 Complete Autocare of Guilford (http://www.a-1completeautocare.com/), Hocon Gas of Guilford (http://www.hocongas.com/locations/guilford.html)...

Continuing on with the list of Sponsors: Madison Chrysler, Inc. (http://www.madisonchrysler.net/index.htm), RockAuto.com, Shoreline Collision and Restoration of Madison (http://shorelinecollisionandrestoration.com/ - and wow, check out their “restorations gallery” page: http://shorelinecollisionandrestoration.com/gallery), JJ Sullivan Fuel Oils of Guilford (http://www.jjsullivaninc.com/), Sophia’s Restaurant of Westbrook (http://sophiasrestaurant.net/), Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale of Westbrook and Madison (http://ljfishtale.com/), The Car Care Clinic of Guilford (http://www.thecarcareclinic.com/), M&J Bus of Old Saybrook (http://www.yellowpages.com/old-saybrook-ct/mip/m-j-bus-inc-6160966), Adelmann’s Tire & Auto of Old Saybrook (http://www.yelp.com/biz/adelmanns-service-inc-old-saybrook), Jerry’s Transmission Service of Guilford (http://www.yelp.com/biz/jerrys-transmission-service-guilford), and last but not least, Stony Creek Auto of Branford (http://www.stonycreekautoservice.com/). An image of the board appears below--click directly on it (or HERE) to bring up a larger view...

Soon it was time for Diane and I to get back going on our way back home, to attend to other stuff at home, and so forth. Sure enough, Bill Raccio was still working hard out there in the parking lot, and gave us a nice thanks and wave goodbye (and back at you, Bill!).

We left the field about 2:30pm or so, and after short drive west along Route 1 to the Lenny & Joe’s/Sophia’s intersection, we found the road was still blocked off for the Clinton firemen’s activities, so it was out to the highway for our drive back home.

We would like to thank all our friends from the Shoreline Recycled Teenage Cruisers car club for doing a most wonderful job with this year’s car show, under some especially challenging conditions!

More "Overall-Type" Scenes from The Shoreline Recycled Teenage Cruisers' 2011 Westbrook Labor Day Weekend Car Show...

Selected Individual Standout Subjects from The Shoreline Recycled Teenage Cruisers' 2011 Westbrook Labor Day Weekend Car Show...

BELOW: Front end detail of the 1914 Ford T, reportedly a fresh new restoration, owned by Ralph Hermann of Essex. It also had a 'for sale' sign in the window at this show--no idea if it's still for sale, but you can try calling 860-767-0758, which was the number shown on the for sale sign.

BELOW: Very slick '68 Saab Sonett from Lyme, CT owned by Harry Shettles.

BELOW: Awesome 1953 Cadillac Coupe DeVille owned by Bill Logozzo of Niantic.

BELOW: Shari Lucas' super-kool 1957 Buick Special, from Haddam, featuring: 1971 Riviera 455 c.i.stage one motor with competition cam and 10.5 to 1 compression and two 4-barrel carburetors, electronic ignition, 400 turbo transmission, 1976 Riviera front clip, Camaro positraction rear end.

BELOW: Bob Powitz' spectacular black 1935 Ford Model 48 Tudor Deluxe Sedan, reportedly an "all original car" (wow!), from Old Saybrook.

BELOW: Hal Farrington's beautiful red '66 GTO sits amidst a row of other beautiful Pontiacs, over in a row by the fence adjacent to Seaside Avenue.

BELOW: Jack Tary's superb 1957 Ford Fairlane Skyliner Retractable, all original and unrestored, from Haddam.

BELOW: Phil Hamilton's well-loved '66 Plymouth Valiant from Deep River.

BELOW: It's the "trademark" 1974 VW Super Beetle from Westbrook's well-known old car specialists, "Cardone & Daughter Automotive" (http://www.cardoneanddaughter.com/), driven to the show by Nancy & David Cardone.

BELOW: Our buddy Lou Panico from Clinton recently added this very sporty bright red 1966 Dodge Cornet Convertible to his stable.

BELOW: An amazing, apparently all-original, unrestored 1964 Ford Fairlane 500 4-door sedan, owned by Kevin Gibbons of Newtown, CT. Reportedly sporting 160k original miles on the odometer.

BELOW: Bob Wilcox fantastic 1965 Rambler Classic 770 Convertible from Old Saybrook.

BELOW: The Zelanski's awesome Charger pair from Meriden.

BELOW: Amazingly beautiful '67 Jeepster of Westbrook's Michael Jurewicz. It is parked next to Mrs. Webmaster's '663 VW Karmann Ghia in these views.

BELOW: Spectacular '56 Oldsmobile 4-door hardtop of Rich Ianucci from Stratford.

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