A couple of classics – both driven off the lot and kept in the same family for decades – drew plenty of attention at the Lions Club Annual Autumn Cruise earlier this month.
And a 1964 Chevy Impala went home with the top honor, Best of Show.
That Impala was “driven off the lot” at Friendly Chevrolet in Escalon in 1964 by Frank Bracco; it was passed down to his son Ed and it has stayed in the family, now being passed down to Ed’s grandson, Dominic Rissetto, an Escalon High School sophomore.
Meanwhile, Ed’s brother, Tim Bracco of Denair, was at the car show with a 1968 Lincoln Mercury that was bought off the lot at Wilson Lincoln Mercury on 10th Street in Modesto.
“It was gold with a white vinyl top originally,” Tim Bracco said of the now deep red vehicle, which belonged to his mom, Ann. “I’m the only one that ever worked on it; I tuned it up for her on her birthday and stuff, so she passed it on to me.”
Bracco has attended the Lions Club cruise in past years, but has brought a different vehicle, this year bringing the one originally owned by his mother.
For sophomore Rissetto, he was pleased that the Impala, as a family project, was ready to go for this year’s show and he plans to bring it back next year.
“I’ve heard a lot of the stories that came out of this car,” Rissetto said of the more than six decades the car has been around and in use.
Lions Club Autumn Cruise chairman Rien Doornenbal said the Sept. 13 show was again a success.
A total of 292 vehicles were entered, he said, and the weather was good and the crowd turned out to enjoy the day.
He also pointed to the help of several Escalon High School students working during the day as important, especially during a hectic lunchtime when the Lions prepared and served a meal.
“We really have had a good experience with these high school volunteers,” Doornenbal said.
Money raised through the annual cruise benefits the Lions Club scholarship fund, with several high school students receiving scholarships each year at graduation.
The show wraps up each year with the presentation of awards, with each vehicle selected joining in a cruise on Main Street to pick up their award as information is shared about the classic.
“Next year our show will be on Sept. 12, it’s always the second Saturday of September,” Doornenbal added. “And next year will be the 30th year.”
