Sanford Car News had to create an overflow parking area for the drivers of show cars at their Camelback Cruise’N Saturday. Over 200 show car owners cruised-in, including members of the non-profit Sandhills Classic Street Rod Association from Moore County, and some of the owners drove two hours to participate in the newly organized event.
Sanford Car News was formed last year and holds a cruise-in every fourth Saturday with a 50/50 raffle. Half of the proceeds benefit charity including the Christian United Outreach Center in Sanford. Over 100 pounds of food was collected by the end of the day.
The Camelback Brewing Co., a restaurant in Sanford, is a sponsor and the location of most of their events.
“It started because we only had like twelve to fifteen cars show when it was just us, and it’s grown to this,” Sanford Car News founder Graham Maxwell said as he surveyed the overflowing parking lots. Co-founder Jonathan Nowell said that they regularly have a canned food drive and offer door prizes and gift cards.
“Record turn out,” Jim Strunk of Sanford said, “had to start a second overflow lot.”
Cheryl McCarty was one of a handful of female show car owners at the event and said that the car clubs were “friendly and good sports.”
The owners and attendees were as varied as the vehicles, from drag race show cars – to Rodney Carter’s 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet truck he purchased in 1984 – to Cameron resident Willie Godfrey’s 1967 Chevrolet Super Sport – to Cameron resident Joe Godfrey’s 1955 restored Chevy Belair – to Toby McGhee’s 1969 Chevrolet Super Sport he named “Black Betty,” – to Keith Reiner’s 1969 Camaro that he is offering for sale – to Cameron resident Jim Strunk’s restored 1932 Ford truck – to J.R. Smith’s 1964 Galaxie 500 Ford – to Tony Holder’s 1981 Corvette – to the prize-winning “Beetle” owned by Glenn Jones, the owners and attendees enjoyed a great day of showing cars and fellowship.
Jones’ “Beetle” is a 1970 Volkswagen he purchased in 1974. It cost $1,975 in 1970. Jones competed in drag racing burn outs and won with his “Beetle.”
Feature photo: Cheryl McCarty shows her 1967 Camaro at the Camelback Cruise’N in Sanford Sept. 26, 2020.
Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel Journalism Intern Stephanie M. Sellers.
