You want fun? Ask someone who owns an antique auto to give you a ride. If you don't enjoy it and the envious waves of pedestrians and passing motorists, you had better feel your wrist for a pulse.
I confess that I am a fan of classic cars. They are not aerodynamic or equipped with a bunch of safety features like the sleek automobiles of today, but they have character and evoke pleasant images of earlier times when the pace of life was much slower.
Members of the Minnesota River Bend Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America have been gathering since 1972 to share their passion for vintage cars. Thirty happily married couples and a few singles belong to the club. They range in age from the late 50s to 90, with the majority on the higher end of that range. Prior Lake dentist Scott Carlson is arguably the youngest member of the club, and club president Lee Woodruff is probably the oldest at 90.
I asked Scott how he liked socializing with folks who have been around much longer than he has. "This is a great bunch of people to hang out with," he replied. "We have wonderful times. And don't let their numerical ages fool you. In terms of 'real' age, not a single club member is old, least of all Lee Woodruff and his lovely wife, Carol."
Lee and Carol own a 1931 Ford Model A and a 1955 Thunderbird. They said that a typical outing with club members entails motoring on back roads to an interesting small town, having a sociable dinner, spending the night and returning the next day after enjoying a leisurely breakfast. Carol commented, "It's fun doing things together, and keeps us busy."
Roger Dysthe, owner of a 1957 Thunderbird, put it this way: "It makes us feel terrific when we're in our cars. It's better than jumping into the fountain of youth."
Young people are also taking an interest in antique automobiles. Just ask my neighbor, 18-year-old David Parks. "I love old cars," he told me. When asked what a rumble seat was, he immediately pointed one out to me. A minute later he and his girlfriend, Emily Krueger, were seated in the rumble seat of Dr. Carlson's 1930 Model A Ford. It was an irresistible photo op, and for one shining, wistful moment, I was 18 again.
Vintage Corvettes were well-represented at the Prior Lake "roll in" I attended recently. I spoke with Arlene and Dave Martin, both past presidents of Classic Corvettes of Minnesota, and they told me about the upcoming 18th annual All Corvette Show to be held at Mystic Lake Casino, Friday through Sunday. "With more than 400 cars, it will be the largest classic Corvette show in the upper Midwest," said Arlene. "Come on Sunday when the crowds won't be so big, but there will still be lots of cars. It's free to the public." Dave commented that a 2013 Camaro and a 2013 Corvette will also be there, along with three hybrid Corvettes with old bodies on new chassis.
