1965 Dodge Coronet 440
Walter bought this 1965 Dodge Coronet in the early 1990s. Originally a 273 two-barrel car, it now runs a 440-cubic-inch V8, a cable-shifted 727 transmission, and 3.55 rear gears. It is the family’s summertime weekend cruiser.
From the Cruisin' Times community
Reader's Rides
40 rides and counting
1965 Chevrolet Impala
Tom grew up around big cars—what he calls land yachts—and fell in love with the 1965 Impala at a young age. When he was finally able to buy one, he did, and he has now owned it for 20 years.
2018 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Redline Edition
Steve and Michelle bought their Camaro in March 2022 after Steve recovered from a serious medical condition. They have personalized it with a cold-air intake, side skirts, a front splitter, and interior touches, and the car has since won multiple show awards.
1991 Nissan Hardbody
Scott bought this Nissan Hardbody new while he was in high school. He never imagined that, through all of life’s changes, the truck would remain part of the family and still be cruising decades later.
1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme “Roxanne”
Rudy is restoring his father’s 1977 Cutlass Supreme in his memory. His father passed away from cancer on September 11, 2024, and the project now carries the family car—and its story—forward.
1968 Dodge Dart GT
Robert spotted this 1968 Dodge Dart GT in an advertisement and went to buy it. The car is powered by a 360-cubic-inch engine backed by a TCI transmission.
Dodge Challenger Hellcat “Kielcat”
Rick worked for Chrysler for 40 years. In 1987, he helped with the company’s pace-car program and spent time with Carroll Shelby. When Dodge introduced the Hemi Orange Challenger Hellcat, it became the perfect inspiration for “Kielcat.”
1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396
Paul’s 1969 Chevelle began as an L78 SS 396 car sold through Marion Chevrolet with a bench seat, AM radio, no power steering, and 3.42 gears. After earning track championships with a previous owner, it was stored following the 1981 season. Paul bought it in 1990 and later installed a GM Performance 454, Dart Iron Eagle heads, a Centerforce clutch, and the original M22 four-speed.
1972 Plymouth Duster
Paul has owned this rust-free 1972 Plymouth Duster for more than 20 years. It retains its numbers-matching 340 engine and four-speed transmission.
1934 Ford Model B Pickup
Paul bought this 1934 Ford as little more than a rusted cab around 2012. Over the next nine years, he worked with sponsors and built the hot rod himself by hand.
1948 Crosley “Mighty Mouse”
Paul found this American-made 1948 Crosley in a shed and spent four years building it. True to the “Mighty Mouse” name, the tiny hot rod packs 500 horsepower, a 700R transmission, a Ford 9-inch rear end, and power brakes.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro “Lilith”
“Lilith” is Michael’s 1969 Camaro, powered by a 400-cubic-inch small-block producing 515 horsepower and 525 lb-ft of torque. It also features Holley Sniper 2 fuel injection, Foose wheels, and PPG candy paint.
1967 Chevrolet Impala “Lucille”
“Lucille” is a 1967 Chevrolet Impala four-door sedan restored as a tribute to “Baby,” the car from the television series Supernatural. It features many screen-accurate props and details.
1967 Pontiac Firebird
Mark has owned this 1967 Pontiac Firebird since 2000 and completed a full restoration. It is powered by a Pontiac 455 backed by a Turbo 400 transmission.
1966 Chevrolet Chevelle
Mark got this Chevelle when he was 15. His uncle bought it new in Phoenix, and Mark drove it through high school. Over the years he has upgraded it with a 350-cubic-inch, 300-horsepower engine, Turbo transmission, factory air, and disc brakes.
1962 Chevrolet Impala SS “Blue Mystic”
Manuel saw this 1962 Impala SS last summer and immediately knew it belonged in his garage. “Blue Mystic” is powered by a 400-cubic-inch small-block backed by a TH350 transmission.
1978 Cadillac Seville
Les’s father found this Seville in Southern Ohio and loved taking it to shows—even touching up the paint at 88 years old. He passed away in September 2025, but the Cadillac continues attending shows in his memory.
1947 Ford Tudor Sedan
Before putting the Ford into winter storage, Les drove it to the A Christmas Story House in Cleveland for a memorable seasonal photo and added snow to complete the scene.
1933 Willys Gasser “Spitfire”
Leigh built this steel-bodied 1933 Willys gasser around a 1957 392 Hemi fitted with aluminum Hot Heads and Hilborn upright four-port fuel injection.
1970 Chevrolet Camaro
Kevin received this 1970 Camaro from his father, Tom, in 2022. Tom bought it in 1987. The original 307 was replaced with a Blueprint 383 stroker, backed by a Muncie four-speed and a new 10-bolt rear end. Kevin’s children, Weston and Elsie, have helped make the car a family project.
1973 Eckler’s Wide-Body Corvette
Ken’s 1973 Corvette wears an Eckler’s wide-body kit with a full 1970s look: Corvette Brown paint, two-color graphics, fixed headlights, six taillights, and period-style Cragar chrome wheels.
1963 Ford Falcon “Gumball”
“Gumball” is a 1963 Ford Falcon four-door powered by 144 cubic inches of raw horsepower. John bought it from the retired fire chief of Hebron, Ohio.
1938 Ford Coupe “Casper”
Jim bought this 1938 Ford Coupe in 1961 with a Rocket Oldsmobile engine. It began life racing the back roads and is now his street rod for trips to the James Dean Run and Street Rod Nationals.
1956 Chevrolet “Part of the Family”
Jennifer and Ed’s 1956 Chevrolet has been in the family since May 1978. They used it in their wedding and recently celebrated their 45th anniversary at a car show. Today, they still cruise it to local shows whenever they can.
1994 Chevrolet Caprice Wagon
James’s 1994 Chevrolet Caprice wagon is powered by an LT1 and rides on staggered 18-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels. With 128,000 miles, a sunroof, and a solid body, it is a distinctive full-size cruiser.
1941 Chevrolet “Phat 41”
“Phat 41” is a full body-off restomod powered by a 355 GM crate engine and Turbo 350 transmission. It also features air conditioning, power steering, power windows and seats, disc brakes, a tilt column, and Mustang-style front suspension.
1977 Pro Street Car
Glenn bought the car new in 1977 and began transforming it into a Pro Street build after only 742 miles. Built before many specialized parts were commercially available, it became one of the earliest Pro Street cars in the Pittsburgh area and also saw drag-racing duty.
1965 Oldsmobile 442
Fred turned 19 on May 8, 1965, one year after high school, and used his savings to buy a new Target Red Oldsmobile 442. In 2014, nearly five decades later, he found another one identical to his first car.
Chevrolet C10 “Long N Low”
Eric originally planned only to move the fuel tank out of the cab. The project grew into a nut-and-bolt, frame-off restoration, and after 10 years, the C10 finally returned to the road.
1946 Jeep CJ-2A “Vrabel Custom”
Eric’s grandfather bought this Jeep CJ-2A new in 1946 and later customized it with car-like bodywork and tailfins. Eric pulled it from a field and has spent much of his life restoring the one-of-a-kind family vehicle.
1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SLC “Billy the Kid”
This one-family-owned 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SLC has been preserved from new and shows only 26,000 miles.
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300D “Envy”
“Envy” is a European-market 1981 Mercedes-Benz 300D originally delivered in Spain. It shows 32,000 kilometers and features the optional green leather interior.
1953 Chevrolet Pickup
Dennis’s 1953 Chevrolet pickup rides on an S-10 chassis and is powered by a small-block 400 with a TH350 automatic. It also features a 10-bolt rear with an Eaton locker and 3.08 gears, plus Vintage Air and a retro stereo.
David’s Corvette
David has owned five Corvettes, beginning with a 1980 model and later adding 2005, 2010, and 2015 C7 examples. His current Corvette continues a lifelong enthusiasm for cars shared by his family.
“BOO”
Connie’s late husband bought “BOO” 14 years ago while battling lung cancer. After he passed away in 2012, selling the car was the last thing on her mind. She has continued cruising it every summer in his memory.
1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass S
Bob bought the Cutlass in 2023, replaced the floor, roof, and A-pillars, and painted it himself. Its 482-cubic-inch Oldsmobile engine uses CNC-ported heads and a hydraulic roller cam, while Holley Terminator EFI controls the 4L80E transmission.
Chevrolet Pickup
Chuck bought this Chevrolet pickup eight years ago from Roy in Caldwell. Since then, his son has helped upgrade it with a new drivetrain, air conditioning, and four-wheel disc brakes.
1930 Pontiac Coupe and 1965 Pontiac 2+2
Chris bought the 1930 Pontiac as a basket case in 2011 and spent about four years completing it. The 1965 Pontiac 2+2 replaced the one he sold after being drafted in 1968. Both cars run well and are a joy to drive.
1932 Plymouth “Lone Wolf”
Bill bought this 1932 Plymouth three years ago and has added his own personal touches. He especially fell for the uncommon brown finish, a color rarely seen on cars of this style.
Chevrolet “Sunkiss”
Bill saved “Sunkiss” from the junkyard in 1987 for $300. He tracked down used parts at swap meets, completed much of the work himself, and painted it at home. Today it runs a 454 with a four-speed, bucket seats and console, Cragar S/S wheels, and a 3.55-geared 12-bolt rear.
