Riverside Cruise 1st June 2004 by Chris Gohlich

After an un-seasonal Bank Holiday weekend with outstanding weather, contrary to the forecast (even the Main Event at the Pod ran without major weather interruption … fer Gawd’s sake!!), I had high hopes for the June Riverside Cruise.  Predictably, Tuesday and the return to work was blessed with grey skies and a fair amount of precipitation.  But lo … in the late afternoon the weather brightened and so did my spirits as the cloud, well, they didn’t actually part to reveal blue sky but at least it was a brighter shade of grey.

So it was that we trundled along to McDonalds for the third Riverside Cruise of the season, ultimate destination … The Kings Highway in Quinton.  OK, on the outskirts of Birmingham maybe but we Black Country folk are made of stern stuff with no fear of the odd elongated vowel here and there.

 

  A little knowledge is a dangerous thing? …Or …“Look Ma, I’ve finally sussed this photo-stitch thingy on the camera!!”

For those waiting out there with baited breath … YES, it did rain (it wouldn’t be Riverside this season without it!!!) but only a smattering and we were inside McDonalds when it happened, result!  One XXXXL size golfing umbrella was spotted but by the time it had been put up, the rain had stopped never to return and as can be seen above even the sun came out, another result!

 
Speaking of Running to the Sun

 

A fairly tame looking MkII Cortina but one packing a nasty surprise for any unsuspecting Hot Hatcher at the lights with a Peugeot 205 radiator header bottle fastened to the inner wing. Oh …and a V8.

 

  Famously and unkindly described by Ralph Nader as “unsafe at any speed” you don’t see many Chevy Corvairs … probably for obvious reasons.  Featuring an air-cooled flat six you could get them with a turbo option that pushed out a healthy 180bhp.  This particularly unmolested Coupe looks like a ’66 to me, I liked the door mounted Appleton style spotlight, sadly obscured by the rear view mirror in this shot.

 

A Black Country Street n Stripper and if you get chance ask the owner what happened after the first Riverside cruise this year, I can say no more.

 

Return of the Super-Slab! 
Massive Caddy Eldorado imposed itself on the pub car park

 

 

First Riverside Cruise outing this year for Wacky Mick & Deb in the Viva.  Bl**dy hell! He’s cleaned it (honest).  Some major re-working on the front end and re-positioning of the engine sees it, to my eye anyway, sitting lower than last year? And with a new ally panel floor pan.

 

Another first outing this year, Baz Woodford gets his Pop out.

 

And has his “doings” on show for people to look at.

  Baz spent a little time trying to convince me that Wet n Wild 5 at Chasewater in July is a viable alternative to a Greek Island.  Shame the holiday is already paid for really as I was sorely tempted as from past experience the weather at Wet n Wild takes some beating and to be honest the toilet facilities are probably better than the average Greek plumbing arrangements (where you can’t flush your bog paper down the loo you know) so make Wet n Wild 5 date in your Rodding calendar!!!

   

Well, what can you say?  Peachy, Cherry, B*lls Out etc etc.  Killer Willys Coupe (Ex Tony Osborne's) and you just gotta love that double barrel shotgun scoop sitting on top of the blower.  New onwnr took it to Drayton Manor (was a trophy winner) and then at Lichfield later the same week and now at Riverside.  Snapped at McDonalds because I didn’t think it would cruise to the pub (oh ye of little faith), although a later arrival than everyone else, the unmistakable whine of the blower and low tone of the exhaust announced its arrival.

Mystery man in shameless promotion of go-faster gas.

 

Early doors this month for us, leaving the pub when the sun was on the right (or wrong?) side of the yardarm due to a convalescing dog who went “under the knife” earlier in the day.  However, I know how it goes when you leave early, no doubt we missed all the Custom Car Street Eliminator boys turning up, the subsequent massive burn out competition in the car park and the pub giving away free beer (yeah right, funny how these things always happen when you are not there but no-one has a photo or video to prove any of it happened?).

Also, rumour has it that there is a Plymouth Superbird knocking about locally (I have had independent reports of sightings so I know it is true) but it is yet to make an appearance.  Sods law dictates it will turn up at next months Riverside Cruise when I can’t make it (for reason see the Wet n Wild 5 reference above) for the joint American Auto Club “do”.  As with CCSE cars, burn out competitions and free beer, so I don’t miss out, can someone take a camera next month … please?

Don’t forget – Wet n Wild 5 takes place from July 9th to 11th at Chasewater Country Park, be there as it’s just as good as going to Greece (and you can have a sh*te in relative comfort) …honest!

  Cheers Chris

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