Tim Willert
DOWNTOWN -- Sandy Norris peered through the window of her customized
1949 Ford and was overcome by nostalgia. On the back seat sat a copy of
her 1957 Glendale High School yearbook and a letterman sweater.
"I had a '49 Ford in high school and I wanted one just like it,"
Norris recalled. "I enjoy it because you go back to the 50s when you look
at it."
For about four hours on Saturday night, visitors to Brand Boulevard
between Broadway and Doran Street were transported to another era, to the
days of '57 Chevys, '56 T-Birds and '65 Mustangs.
Norris' pearl-white 2-door was one of 428 hot rods, muscle cars and
classics on display during Glendale Cruise Night. The annual car show and
street party attracted an estimated 30,000 people to the heart of the
city.
"It was our biggest event ever. It certainly exceeded my
expectations," said Gerry Milota, who coordinated the car show. "It's
come of age, which is typical of car shows."
After much prodding from friends, Glendale Mayor Dave Weaver entered
his 1940 Ford Deluxe Business Coupe for the first time, and won a trophy
for best vintage coupe.
"I rode in it when I was a baby and learned to drive in it when I was
a teenager," recalled Weaver as he strode up and down Brand judging
entries. "It's been in the family 60 years and counting."
Young and old alike glanced under engine hoods, peeked at car
interiors and complimented flawless paint jobs.
Mark and Edina Willis, who brought daughter Olivia, 1, were among
those armed with strollers and video cameras.
"For me it's the cars," Mark said. "Anything that has GM written on it
-- baby! I am a Chevy kind of guy. I converted her."
Bands with names like Swing Syndicate, Flat Top Tom and his Jump Cats,
and The Alley Cats entertained visitors throughout the evening on two
stages.
Nearly 50 Glendale Police officers were on hand to keep the peace and
promote community unity and crime prevention with the department's
National Night Out expo along California Avenue.
"I think it's an opportunity for the community to come together and
have a nice evening outside," said Marian Anderson, Cruise Night
committee chairwoman. "You see people in their 70s and 80s and kids in
strollers and they stay until the end."
From the grassy median between Wilson Avenue and Broadway, Ken and
Nancy Friend of La Crescenta fielded questions about their cherry-red
1938 Chevrolet Master Coupe.
"Last year he had dreams of making it but the car wasn't ready," Nancy
said.
Ken, 54, said the car took about two years and an undisclosed amount
of money to restore.
"I've been interested in cars since I was in high school," he said.
"When you get a little older you have a little more disposable income to
pursue your hobbies."
