Car cruise has been labor of love for Evans City businessman
EVANS CITY — More than 150 muscle cars, rat rods and sports cars on Sunday will be shined up and waiting for public perusal at the Evans City Oktoberfest.
Jack Weber of Weber Insurance Services has coordinated the Oktoberfest Car Cruise for the past seven of the cruise’s 22 years of existence. The 2015 event will be Weber’s last.
He said this year’s cruise at Oktoberfest will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Main Street will be closed so festivalgoers can easily view the cars.
In addition to classic and antique vehicles, the cruise always includes sports cars and rat rods. The latter, explained Weber, is an old car or truck that has been assembled using pieces of other cars.
“They are normally rusty,” he said.
Weber owns 29 cruise cars that he has collected over the past 30 years. A 1959 Austin Healy Bug-Eyed Sprite, a 1963 Plymouth Savoy, a 1932 Ford Vicky, and a 1929 Ford coupe hot rod are among Weber’s favorites.
He explained that his love of vintage, antique, muscle and hot rod cars began when he was a young man, and has not waned since.
“I’ve been interested ever since I was 14,” Weber said.
Of the cars that come to the Oktoberfest cruises, Weber said his favorites are a 1961 Corvette, an old Ford Roadster, and a 1936 pickup truck.
Weber participates in about 20 cruises per year, including one in Zephyr Hills, Fla. each February.
“I like looking at the other cars and talking to the people,” he said.
Of all the rare and vintage cars he sees at various cruises, the Deloreans are always memorable.
Those who want to show off their vehicles at the 2015 Evans City Oktoberfest need not register. Weber said drivers just pull up and get a spot.
Weber said 50 to 75 percent of the roughly 150 cars that come to show at the cruise each year have shown at Oktoberfest cruises in past years.
He said the Oktoberfest cruise is a favorite among car owners and lookers alike, as the festival is ongoing on nearby Wahl Avenue and South Jackson Street.
“You can walk around and look at the old cars, and eat and drink,” he said.
He said the cars are not judged because the Oktoberfest event is a cruise and not a car show. He said most owners drive their cars to Evans City rather than haul them in a trailer.
“The people love this little cruise,” he said.
