Thread: Ft Myers/Cape Coral..Whats happening?

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Moving back to the area. Whats happening as far as cruise nites, clubs, shows etc?

Thanks

Dan

In a word...........nothing. Well, at least during the Summer months. I RARELY see a hot rod or custom or even a classic car just driving around. I took mine to work today and people kept stopping at lights and asking questions and making nice comments, so I have no idea why more people don't get out here and just drive their cars.

There are a couple of small events that pop up every once in a while. I posted that we drove up to Northport last weekend for a show and it was pretty good. We are going to a show next Saturday at a local Advanced Auto Parts that will raise money for Juvenile Diabetes. It will not be a big show, but at least something. There is also a cruise night at Fosters Pub on Pine Island Road on Wednesday nights, but it wraps up before 8 and by the time we get off work and drive there it is about over.

Denny's Classic Diner on Gladeolis tried a cruise in to stimulate business, but that failed. Supposedly in the late fall they are going to try again. Used to be a show every so often at the Shell Factory in N Ft Myers, but that has disappeared too. The promoter who did the Northport show said he would love to get something going down here, but can't seem to generate any interest.

The Winter is a little better. There is the Downtown Ft Myers show in December, and it is packed. The annual JC Park show in Cape Coral in like January or February is ok too. There used to be one night a month when the City of Ft Myers would hold a block party and tons of rods would line the streets, but that seems to be a winter affair too. I called Parks and Rec and couldn't get a straight answer if it was going to resume or not.

So aside from jumping into a couple of hot rods and going out to dinner and creating your own rolling car show, there is very little going on here, and that is sad. So many cars just sit unused in garages all over here, and you never even know about them. A local news show just showed a guy on Pine Island who was moving his "classic cars" to a safer spot when IKE was approaching. He has two 32 Fords that I have never ever seen, and I know most of the cars in the area. The heat of Summer has a lot to do with it too. Winter is a little better for cruising in an un air conditioned car, and it doesn't rain every day either.

Welcome back to the area. If you have a hot rod, get out and drive it, maybe between you and us we can start a trend!!

Don

Oh, as for your second question about Clubs, there are a few. Fast Fords of Lee County (I used to be the President at one time), TTT, Timeless Traveling Treasures, Cool Cruisers out of Naples, and probably more that I have forgotten. Pick up a copy of Cruise News at any show and it will tell you a lot more about what is going on.

Thanks for the info!!!! I'll be there till June of next year so I have all winter and spring. I have a 32 roadster and just retired so I'll be out and driving often, even if its just to go get Ice cream at the Cow on CC pkway or down to FM beach. Maybe we can get together after I'm down and the dust has settled. I just rented a place near burnt store and pine island.
I have a buddy in Bonita springs that has a bad azz Anglia so I'll try and get him involved too.

Thanks again

Dan

Good deal. Between you and your buddies cars and the ones we have, maybe we can get our own cruise started. Let me know after you get settled and well hook up some night and stretch our roadsters legs a little.

Don

Port Charlotte had a pretty good show last friday night at the McDonalds. Two more in Englewood next weekend..

You guys up there seem to have a whole lot more going on than we do down here. Every year lots of your cars show up at the downtown Ft Myers Show in December, and the caliber of them is very high. Years ago I put on a car show at Fishermans Village in Punta Gorda when I was with WEEJ radio, and the turnout was great.

I mentioned I went to Northport a couple weekends ago and even in Sept they got 92 cars at the first show they held. Wish it was like that down here.

Don

I'm new to the area and have just started to go to these events...Really looking forward to the "season"..I am surprised that Ft Myers doesn't have the participation.. I tryed to go to the downtown show there once but it was festival of lights week and it was cancelled There's something every weekend up here...

Don wrote:

I mentioned I went to Northport a couple weekends ago and even in Sept they got 92 cars at the first show they held. Wish it was like that down here

We have an open car show monthly on a Friday evening (4 - 8 pm) in a nearby sleepy little town (population less than 3000). There were over 700 cars at the last one. Next one is on 9/26, if weather is good there should be nearly as many again. I've been to a lot of weekly shows and even a few major ones in Florida, and it's rare that there is a big turn out. I guess with the weather, there is just too much for people to do instead of car shows. Has always amazed me how few cars come to the Tampa Nats and he Goodguys events in Florida. Both are hard pressed to get 1500 cars.

Your shows probably get bigger in winter down there because all of the snowbirds head south looking for warm weather car shows. Something they ain't getting back home.

Hey guys,
There is a December 7th show at Sunsplash from what I have heard. Paul Lemat (Milner form American Graffiti) is scheduled to be there. Saw it in the "Cruizin news" publication.