August 31, 2020 at 12:25 p.m.
Thursday night vintage car cruises to continue through September
Thursday night vintage car cruises to continue through September
By Stephanie Kuski-
But local car collector Dennis McGill has been getting together with other car fanatics to show off their wheels in impromptu fashion. Every Thursday they meet informally in the ShopKo parking lot around 6 p.m. to socialize at a distance and then take a short cruise through town in their respective vehicles.
"We get together for 15-20 minutes beforehand, talk, joke around and then go for a ride," vintage car collector Bill Vancos added. "Then we get an ice cream cone and joke around some more. It's just a social outing."
McGill said he hopes to continue the car cruises every Thursday evening through the end of September. He said it gives collectors a reason to dust off their vintage vehicles during a time when most car shows have been canceled due to the pandemic.
McGill brought his '77 Corvette to the Aug. 20 car cruise. He said a regular Thursday cruiser usually brings a different Model T every week, and that day he showed off his '14 Model T. Other vehicles in attendance included an El Camino, a Porsche, a handful of Chevys and other vehicles.
Vancos said he likes to bring a different collector car every week, and has since flaunted his vintage pickup, Falcon and two other collector vans.
McGill added that many of these car owners actually restore or restomod their collectibles - all the more reason to get them out and show them off. However, he said those interested in coming just to look or join the cruise with their own non-vintage vehicles are welcome to join as well.
Sometimes passersby will stop while the cars are parked in the ShopKo lot to gawk or tell stories. Often these conversations bring up nostalgic memories of times when these collectibles were simply the cars of the day.
Although the route changes from week to week, the loop on Aug. 20 went from Stevens Street to Hodag Park, past the viaduct and through downtown district before making their way back to the ShopKo lot. Other weeks the cruisers have gone past the nursing homes to give the residents a honk and a wave.
McGill said the cruise typically lasts only 10-15 miles or roughly 30-40 minutes, and the group gathers for a sweet treat afterwards. Some individuals choose to come nearly every week, while others pop in every once and awhile.
That way, new collectors are present each week with different vintage wheels to show off.
Vancos added that in typical years, Rhinelander usually hosts a more formal car show on the first Saturday in June in conjunction with Art on the Courthouse Lawn. However, since that event and many others were canceled this year due to COVID-19, this informal car cruise is simply meant as an alternative fun gathering for collectors and car lovers alike. Join the group "Rhinelander Thursday Cruise" on Facebook for more information on the car cruise.
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