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UTICA -- Steve Grant of New Hartford went the
extra mile when he showed up with his 1922 Model T Ford at the Utica Salvation
Army's 11th Classic Car Cavalcade on Aug. 8.
He came dressed in white shirt and bow tie, ready to
chauffeur riders who decided to donate to a good cause and at the same time
take a fun ride down memory lane.
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Jim Maher in his 1936 Dodge |
Robert Baker with his 1931 Model
A Ford |
Barton Rasmus with his 1940
Packard |
Gene Torchia with his 1926 Model
T |
Unlike the typical classic car show, where admirers
can only look at vintage vehicles, Classic Car Cavalcade participants get to
ride in a classic car, dine at a landmark restaurant, and make the return trip
in a different vehicle -- all for a $50 donation.
This year's cavalcade was dedicated to the memory of
Jerry Rosenblum of Utica and Lake Worth, FL. Capt. Frank
Picciotto, director of the Utica Salvation Army, said Rosenblum was an
annual supporter who, with son Alan, regaled participants with a different
antique car every year they participated.
The Classic Car Cavalcade is a whole lot more fun
than running in a 15K race, Co-Chair Dr. Herb Sipp of Utica
told 56 participants during lunch at Dibble's Inn in Vernon. In fact, "we could
call this the 15K ride," he said to rousing applause.
Fellow Co-Chair Gus DeTraglia Jr., a
Utica attorney, applauded Sipp for coming up with the idea, and called it the
region's most unique fundraiser.
Rider Mike Puleo of Sauquoit thought
it was a great idea, too. "I go to a lot of car shows, but never had the chance
to ride in one."
Jim Maher of Whitesboro, who says he
has only missed one or two cavalcades, showed up with his 1936 two-door Dodge,
anxious to support The Salvation Army. He gave this as his reason: "When
Hurricane Katrina struck, The Salvation Army and the Red Cross showed up before
everyone else. The trucks rolled up and they started handing out food and
water." Honorary Chair Ed Welsh, WIBX's Auto Talk host and
AAA's Central Region general manager, felt similarly, recounting how his
Salvation Army relatives served at Ground Zero in New York after the 9-11
terrorist attacks.
Another veteran driver, Robert Baker of Oriskany, says he has been to every cavalcade but one, and he missed that
one only because he had to attend a wedding. "It's a good cause," the 1931
Model A Ford owner says. "And I enjoy meeting the people."
"The great thing about owning a classic car is
driving it," notes New Hartford resident Barton Rasmus, who
has given rides in his 1940 four-door Packard in several cavalcades. "But
driving it for a good cause -- it can't get any better than that!" Rasmus, who
organizes the nationally renowned classic car invitational and exhibition at
Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, says his Packard has all its original
parts, and runs as well as it did when it came off the assembly line. "This is
the least expensive Packard they made in 1940...and probably cost around
$1,200." The most expensive 1940 Packard, he says, cost $2,200 and came with
air conditioning. "They called it 'weather conditioner'. It had a unit in the
trunk and blew cold air out of vents in the back seat."
"This is the 8th trip I've made" for The Salvation Army,
notes New Hartford resident Gene Torchia, who led the
cavalcade in his 1926 four-door Model T, sporting twin American flags. His
riders included Clinton resident Beverly Clarey, who heard
about the cavalcade on the radio and said to herself: "This is the year I'm
going to do it!"
Whereas Clarey brought along a grandson and
granddaughter, brothers Andre and Paul Lafave of Barneveld
brought their dad, Kermit. "We thought it would be nice to
take our father out and bring back some memories," said Andre as they posed for
pictures next to Steve Grant's Model T.
Perhaps Grant put it best for everyone: "I've just
been fascinated with these cars since I was a kid."
 DR. HERB
SIPP
Co-Chair |
 GUS DeTRAGLIA
Co-Chair |
 ED WELSH
Honorary Chair |
 CAPT F. PICCIOTTO
Utica Corps
Director |
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