Downtown Christiansburg recently hosted a new event, very appropriate for a car focused community with its numerous auto dealers, specialty car services and retailers, auctions, regional NASCAR circuit and local race tracks, being home to one of the state's few remaining drive-in theaters in town, as well as having several drive-in restaurants or ice cream shops.
The Grand Classic Cruisers have regular gatherings, just like other groups in many other communities do, comprised of car owners and enthusiasts -- with the cruise in's as a means for sharing a different type of history.
The advent of the automobile changed the geography of the entire United States, moving us from living and working in centralized communities to broad urbanized areas. The cruise in events give folks an opportunity to look at the vehicles that changed our culture and economics over the last 100 years.
"Classic" generally means something of the first or highest quality, class or rank; serving as a standard, model, or guide; of enduring interest, quality or style; definitive. In car enthusiast circles, however, there are very specific terms applied.
An antique car is one which was built between 1880 and 1916. A vintage car is one that was built in 1916 to 1924. A classic car can be any built from 1925 to today, although in some circles no American car qualifies.
For insurance purposes, any car over 20 years old may be classified as classic. For special state tags, a car must be at least 25 years old.
Whether the car is nine years old or 90, the owners can generally tell you not only the history of their particular car but also the entire history for that vehicle type or even the manufacturing company's history. In this way, the car enthusiast is maintaining a very specific type of history -- the relic itself and its background.
While these cruise in events may be held in Salem or Galax or Hillsville and beyond, it's nice to know you don't have to use much gas yourself to see a moving history of the automobile -- the next cruise in show will be on Saturday, June 14th (Flag Day) in Downtown Christiansburg. Expected to attract over 350 cars and their owners, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy good music and special events throughout the day, including activities at the local library branch and Montgomery Museum.
The antique Model-A club will cruise into town through Historic Cambria, creating quite a flashback for anyone over the age of 60. In the downtown area, Franklin Street from Depot to First Street will be closed, as will Main Street from Town Hall to Phelgar, including Town Square.
With gasoline prices currently skyrocketing, these automotive related recreational activities might, in historic terms, become a rarity. Even if you don't consider yourself a history buff, few of us cannot recall our own first car and the thrill of the open road. Save the day and plan to visit Downtown Christiansburg and Historic Cambria on June 14 -- you are in for a great show and a slice of real Americana.