10 minute read
Driving Again
Local car clubs break down their benefi ts
BY LAURA LATZKO
Each classic car has its own history and story to share. Those who own these vehicles often have strong memories attached to them.
Through local car clubs, afi cionados meet likeminded people with a love of cars, especially certain makes or models.
Tucson off ers several diff erent car club options, many of which are specifi c to certain types of cars.
The clubs had to scale down or take a break during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are beginning to open again.
Tucson British Car Registrar
The Tucson British Car Registrar has a rich history that goes back almost 40 years.
President Ben Cohen says the club evolved from focusing solely on MGs to embracing other cars. It now has a variety, including Austin-Healeys, MGs, Mini Coopers, Jaguars, Morgans and Triumphs — primarily from the 1950s to 1970s.
The club has about 138 members, with close to 180 cars.
“Many members are multiple car owners or, as we say, are ‘multiple off enders,’” Cohen says.
Some individuals inherited cars from their family.
“There are a few people in the club who have that family history, where it’s been in their families for generations,” Cohen says.
“We have three-generation cars. The grandkid now is driving the car.”
Cohen, who started with the 30-yearold club in 1994, became interested in British cars in the 1970s. He fi rst bought an Austin-Healey in college.
He now has a number of British cars, including rare ones like a Lotus that is one of 1,000.
“You feel lucky to be able to fi nd it, let alone own it and drive it,” Cohen says.
The Tucson British Car Registrar members also have a 1937 RollsRoyce and 1920s and 1950s Bentleys.
Many of Cohen’s cars have stories behind them.
One of his vehicles was fi rst owned by a serviceman in France who drove it in Europe. Another of his cars was driven by a U.S. diplomat in Sweden. He has met the previous owners.
Cohen says it is possible to fi nd out about the history of vehicles if one wishes.
“You can get a certifi cate that shows the day your car was made, where it was shipped,” Cohen says. “It’s nice to track down the history of your car if you can.”
Before the pandemic, members regularly met to go on drives on Wednesdays and Saturdays to Mount Lemmon or wine country and have breakfast together. A few times a year, members head farther out to places such as Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Southern California or El Paso.
“On a weekend, you can have decent roads and not a lot of traffi c outside of city,” Cohen says. “We can meet somewhere, get out of the city — be it out into the desert somewhere or up into the south area, into the Chaparral — and you have an open road with a 50- to 60-year-old convertible. What more could you want?”
Tucson British Car Registrar
Membership dues: $35
Info: tucsonbritish.com
Classic Chevy Club of Tucson
Growing up, many people owned Chevy cars — or their parents did. These individuals often still have a love of Chevrolet cars.
A nonprofi t organization and affi liated member of Classic Chevy International, the Classic Chevy Club of Tucson has operated here since 1985. It specifi cally focuses on Chevys and GM vehicles that are 1972 or older.
The more than 65 members range in age from the 40s to 90s, with Chevy Nomads, Chevy Chevelles, the 1957 Chevy Bel Air, high-end custom vehicles, woodbed trucks, and cars from the 1940s.
Melisa Hadinger, the public relations offi cer and club webmaster, says it has a family-friendly environment.
“A lot of club members will bring their kids or even their grandkids to the event, which is really fun,” says Hadinger, who’s been a member since 2009. “When someone has family in town, they will bring them to a meeting. It’s a big family. They all really are there for each other.” Two brothers in the club helped Hadinger restore her 1956 Chevy 210 Post that she inherited from her
The Old Pueblo Mustang Club has father. Her children have, in cars like a 1968 Ford Mustang Coupe. (Photo courtesy of Laurie Slawson) fact, grown up around the club and classic cars. “They have a love of classics. In fact, they call it ‘the fancy car,’” Hadinger says. “It’s defi nitely been a part of their childhood. When I joined the club, I was pregnant with my youngest. It took us six years to restore it. We didn’t have a lot of money, so we just took our time with it. We’d go see the progress on it and take the kids with us.” Hadinger shares a love of classic cars with her husband, whose dad had a classic car when he was a child. “We both grew up going to classic car shows. When we were dating, we continued to do it,” Hadinger says. “They just have been part of our lives since we were little kids.” Many club members either have their original cars or inherited vehicles from parThe Classic Chevy Club of Tucson attracts members with vehicles such as a 1956 Chevy 210 Post. (Photo courtesy of Melisa Hadinger) ents. One member still owns a Chevy truck he had when he and his wife were dating in high school — 60 years ago. “That, to me, is cool — the longevity of it. Hopefully his kids and grandkids will continue that story with that vehicle,” Hadinger says. Hadinger says classic cars have a distinctive sound and smell that is diff erent from other vehicles. “It’s defi nitely a thrill ride every time,” Hadinger says. “The sound of the engine, it’s just so beefy, loud and wonderful. There is an old car smell, and I love it. You have to slam the door. You can’t just close the door, Cars...continues on page 11
Cars...continued from page 10 because it’s an old hunk of metal.”
Hadinger calls her car “Angel Baby,” a nickname given to her by her father. She says other members also name their cars after their wives or mothers or have silly names for them.
When she goes out with her husband in their classic Chevy, she will often wear a Pink Ladies jacket, and he will sometimes don his high school letterman jacket.
“When I take out ‘Angel Baby,’ I feel like a diff erent person,” Hadinger says.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Classic Chevy Club of Tucson moved its board meetings to Zoom. Its charity Classic Chevy Showdown car show, held in April, was canceled for two years. It has been tentatively rescheduled for November.
Last December, it held its annual toy drive event benefi ting organizations such as Marine Toys for Tots, Casa de Los Ninos and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Before the pandemic, the club met for meals at local diners and held events like an annual picnic and drive-in movies featuring ’50s-era fl icks.
When a few members contracted COVID-19, the Classic Chevy Club of Tucson held drive-by events for them to uplift their spirits.
The club has also displayed cars at assisted-living homes. Hadinger says seeing the classic cars makes residents nostalgic.
“A lot of people in those homes remember those cars. Those are the cars that they grew up with,” Hadinger says.
The group has honored special requests, such as driving members of a homecoming court to a local high school in classic cars.
The club’s peak season is October to April, but it still hosts monthly events in the summer.
Friendships have formed between participants and have lasted for years.
“They have bonded over cars and formed lifelong friendships out of it,” Hadinger says.
Classic Chevy Club of Tucson
Membership dues: $25 Info: classicchevycluboftucson. shutterfl y.com
Old Pueblo Mustang Club
Classic Mustangs have a certain mystique. In Tucson, the Old Pueblo Mustang Club is one of the longest-running Mustang-focused clubs in town.
Established in 1990, it is a charter member of the Mustang Club of America. The club is open to early to modern Mustang models, starting with the 1964 1/2 Mustang.
The remaining founding member, Laurie Slawson, says Mustangs share similar sporty features, rear-wheel drive and a distinctive running horse symbol.
“We are small, but we are a bunch of people that really get along well together and enjoy having fun and driving the Mustangs,” Slawson says about the 35-member club.
Slawson has participated in Tucson car clubs since 1982. Within these clubs, she found a place where she belongs.
“If I can help someone, I will,” Lawson says. “If it’s a vintage Mustang, I’ve got a pretty good idea of what the answer is.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lawson says many individuals shared photos of recent progress on their vehicles and of new cars they purchased.
Now that congregating has become safer, the club has hosted events like pizza parties. It is usually more active in the fall and spring due to winter visitors, like many other organizations.
Slawson, the secretary for the Mustang Club of America, attended and judged at Mustang shows nationwide before the pandemic. This year, she hopes to go to three national shows.
This year, the Old Pueblo Mustang Club is hosting its national show from October 7 to October 10, after having to cancel twice due to the pandemic. It features between 150 to 175 cars. Judged participants must be Mustang Club of America members and attend all three days.
Other car owners who want to participate can display both their complete and unfi nished Ford cars on Saturday. These cars are voted on through ballots.
Along with cars on display, the show will have a karaoke night, a banquet with live entertainment, and a pool party.
Slawson says she and her fellow Mustang afi cionados are eager to host and attend car shows again.
“People are just going crazy, wanting to get out to the shows,” Slawson says.
The Old Pueblo Mustang Club is open to car owners with fi rst-generation to modern Mustangs. (Photos courtesy of Laurie Slawson)
Old Pueblo Mustang Club
Membership dues: $20, or $10 when joining the Mustang Club of America, too Info: oldpueblomustangclub.org/ membership.html, classicchevycluboftucson.shutterfl y. com Misc.: Registration for the club’s Spirit of the West national car show runs through September 9 at motosho.com
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