Lovers of vintage cars from across the southwest came to Alva Sept. 20 – 22 for the annual Big Cruise and Car Show, which takes place in the town square. On Friday, drivers took their cars for a cruise around downtown Alva. On Saturday, spectators came in droves to admire the automobiles, eat food served by local food-trucks, and watch the evening’s tire-burnout competition. On Sunday, drivers were invited to a morning chapel service before packing up their belongings and “hitting the road.” According to the organization’s website, local restaurant manager Jim Clemons came up with the idea to hold a car show in Alva. In Sept. 2001, that idea came to fruition thanks to the creation of the Racing and Cruising Enthusiast club. The show has grown in size each year since the first event. — From staff reports
A shiny, red Chevy Camaro with pin-striped tires was parked in the square during Saturday’s car show.
This 1956 Chevy Bel-Air had freshly-polished chrome and a shiny coat of orange paint.
Cars coast down Flynn Street after Saturday’s burnout competition.
From left to right: Brenner Clark, Daxton Alcorn, and Diane Todd admire a “chopped” 1937 Dodge truck owned by Lawrence Tuln of Conway Springs, KS. Tony Morris, also of Conway Springs, drove the truck in Saturday’s parade. A “chopped” vehicle is one that has been heavily modified. Owners cut the cab of the vehicle, making it shorter. This truck has less than five inches of clearance between the body of the car and the roadway.
A sleek, black Chevy Impala with shiny chrome wheels was parked in the square during Saturday’s car show.
Kathy Reese drove from Wichita, KS to display her 1977 Volkswagen Microbus. According to Reese, this is the first trip she has taken the van on. So far, the biggest problem she has had with it is following the speed limit. “It’s hard to keep it under 60 miles per hour,” she said. “But above that, it’s a bumpy ride.” Reese keeps a scale-model of the van on the dashboard.
Ornate pin-striping is shown on the hood of this vintage Chevy sedan.
