Good time at a cruise in

[Tommy]

My Cheetah had been inop since last August when I discovered a leak that required attention. I finished putting it back together earlier in the week and the weather was great yesterday for the monthly cruise-in held nearby. The Cheetah drew lots of attention and I enjoyed all the car talk with friends and strangers. But my favorite moment was something I had missed since I sold my Cobra about five years ago.

A family consisting of a Grandfather, father and two sons (9 and 7) stopped by. The boys were obviously told to not touch the cars and were very well behaved. The older boy's face had a huge smile and his eyes were in awe of the Cheetah. He asked permission to get close enough to put his head inside the door and look around and I said yes. His dad explained that he was building a first generation Camaro at home and his son loved cars. When we finished our conversation and they were about to walk away I asked the older boy if he would like to sit in the car. He looked at his dad who nodded approval. He said yes and I showed him how to get in. He grinned and photos were taken for a minute or two. I didn't have to tell him not to touch anything - he just sat there. When he got out the grandfather asked if the younger brother could sit in it and I said yes. Dad lifted him into the car and more photos were taken. Dad told me how very special the moment was for his boys and thanked me again. As they started to walk away the older boy rushed over to me and hugged me around the waist. Having raised two sons myself, it was as special for me as the car was for him.

I'm very selective about who I let sit in my car. But I have a soft spot for well behaved kids who genuinely like and respect them.

[Sargie]

That sounds like a great time for you and the 2 boys. Great to see children enjoying the hobby with respect & appreciation. We always let the little ones in the car when we can.

[john chesnut]

That's awesome Tommy! One of the things that I like about driving cars like ours is the people that we meet.
I'm envious that you were able to go for a drive. I'm hating being snowed in. Next year I hope to be someplace warm and have my Cheetah with me.

I just ordered foam. As soon as it arrives I'm going to start shaping a removable hard top for my car.



Take care, John

[1795]

Tommy,

That's great! When I race it is typically an open paddock and I routinely let parents take a picture of their kids in my car. There is one family that was at the US Vintage Grand Prix three years ago that took a picture of their baby boy in the drivers seat. They have ben back each year since to get a new picture of their son in the car and plan on getting one each year until I stop racing. Who knows, maybe I'll sell him the car when I am done.

Letting the younger generation experience our cars is a wonderful way to get them interested. Keep it up!

Jim

[Alfa02]

Tommy what a wonderful story And goes to show there are still good people in this world (You & Them). That's the reason, I'm on the site today (66YO) back in 1963 (8YO) @ Pacific Raceways, I was allowed to "Help" the Shelby boys, with the tasks of wiping down the cars, cleaning wheels, anything they asked. I was "Rewarded" with 3-laps with Mr. Ken Miles at the wheel of CSX2129 @ SPEED!! I already was a car kid, but that day I became a "Cobra guy". Thank you, Tommy for posting this and letting me share. Cheers TommyRot. https://www.thespeedjournal.com/ken-...terey-auction/