Steve Dillon of Monroe Township cleans his 1935 Graham at the Classic Car Cruise held at The Shoppes of Old Bridge on July 3. STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC SUCAR Car enthusiasts, as well as families and investors, are flocking to car cruise nights throughout New Jersey to take a look at such classic cars as Camaros, Mustangs and Corvettes.
But along with admiring these automobiles, many enthusiasts also come away with new friendships.
Steve Mamakas, founder of Kroozin Productions, an organization that produces charity car shows in several towns, including Old Bridge, Woodbridge and Jackson, said car owners and cruise night attendees often form lifelong bonds as the result of their devotion to classic automobiles.
“It is the camaraderie between the car owners and then wanting to speak to people and tell them what they did and where they found that particular car, what work was done,” Mamakas said. “Throughout the years, many of the car owners have become friends.”
Carl Kovach, Parlin, walks between cars during the Classic Car Cruise held at The Shoppes at Old Bridge on July 3. STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC SUCAR Mamakas, a car enthusiast for more than 40 years, founded Kroozin Productions in 1989 with a humble beginning that he reported has grown significantly in the past decade. “I started out with a small gathering together,” Mamakas said. “In the last 10 years the collectors car market has exploded for a couple of reasons.
“You have the baby boomers who wanted the cars of their youth. The other one is that these cars are an investment, a lot of them are performing better than the stock market.”
While Kroozin is a company that is producing car shows throughout the state, some groups run charity cruise nights on a local level as well.
Pedro Rosario, the football commissioner of the Port Reading Saints, a Pop Warner youth football and cheerleading organization, has run a car show to benefit the program for eight years.
He said despite poor weather, about 80 vehicles were featured during a June 29 cruise night.
“We do classic cars, muscle cars, trucks and motorcycles,” Rosario said. “[Popularity] has increased as long as the weather cooperates.
“We get lots of 70’s and 80’s cars and we do have our fair share of 50’s and 60’s. The oldest car we had this past Sunday was actually a ’32 Ford.”
Rosario said car owners come from all over the state and New York to participate in the event. He also said the crowd ranges from car enthusiasts to local families who come to support Pop Warner.
“In our case, we get not just car people, but a lot of our football and cheer people come out to support the event,” Rosario said.
Rosario also said that with the growing popularity of his event, they might add a second car show in the fall.
“We definitely look forward to next year and we’ve been asked if we would consider doing another event in the fall,” Rosario said. “That hasn’t been talked about yet, but it could be a possibility.”
Pete Zaklukiewicz, an original member of the Freehold Kruisers car club, has organized cruise nights throughout the summer at VFW Post 4374 in Freehold for three years. He had previously worked for two decades organizing Kruise Night in downtown Freehold Borough.
Zaklukiewicz said car enthusiasts could attend a cruise night any day of the week during the summer as the popularity has grown.
“We have a lot of competition from all over the state,” he said. “There are cruise nights all over the state, I was on the computer earlier looking at one down in southern Jersey.”
According to Mamakas, another factor that is leading to the growing popularity of classic cars, specifically muscle cars and sports cars, is the ability to buy parts to recreate the vehicles.
“The availability of the aftermarket parts, you can actually build a 1969 Camaro full aftermarket,” Mamakas said.
Something that sets Kroozin apart from other cruise nights is a specific make or model will be featured in each event, whether it be a night specifically dedicated to Mustangs or Corvettes or other makes and models.
According to Mamakas, a car is generally considered a “classic” once it is 25 years old. It is at that time when the owner is eligible for historical license plates. He also explained which cars are gaining popularity at classic car shows throughout New Jersey.
“Prominent now are the muscle cars and then the cars from the 50’s and then of course the rare cars,” Mamakas said.
He also said many of the car owners have unusual and interesting stories behind their cars. One owner, in fact, has featured a vehicle from the 1940s that was once owned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The cruise nights, which often are held in the downtown corridors and main thoroughfares, can also been seen as a boost to local businesses that benefit from the large number of visitors.
In Long Branch, a cruise night is held on Brighton Avenue at the start and the end of summer.
That event is operated by the Long Branch Office of Economic Development.
The Long Branch mayor, Adam Schneider, said that the cruise nights bring a significant crowd to the city’s West End neighborhood, a popular enclave filled with restaurants, shops and parks.
“It brings a lot of people in on the night,” Schneider said. “It is interesting because I had no idea when I first allowed them to do it how big of a deal it would be. It gets a lot of people out, and people love looking at those cars.”
The cruise nights are also events more so than car shows, as there is often an accompanying concert and other forms of entertainment and vendors.
Zaklukiewicz said while the popularity of the events has grown in recent years, he is worried about the future of classic cars.
“Unfortunately it is an older crowd,” he said. “I see some young people out there, but not enough. Somebody has to carry on this hobby of ours when we are too old or we pass on.”
However, Zaklukiewicz said he has owned a 1951 Ford Deluxe Business Coupe for 49 years and still continues to drive it.
“It has stayed with me all my life,” he said. “It’s in your blood if you have it. It’s a natural thing, like if you are a natural guitar player, you will pick it up right away.”
Car Cruises
Edison
Garden State Gear Shifters Car Show
last Wednesday of month
through Sept. 30, 5 – 9 p.m.
Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza
80 Parsonage Road
Howell
first and third Saturday of the month
through Oct. 17 from 5 – 8 p.m.
Chick Fil A of Howell, Route 9
Jackson
part of the Kroozin High Performance
Summer
third Friday of the month
through Oct., 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Jackson Crossing Shopping Center
South Hope Chapel Road and East
Veterans Highway
Long Branch
every Tuesday (weather permitting)
through Sept. 29, 5 – 9 p.m.
The Sitting Duck Restaurant, Myrtle Ave.
(off Route 36 just after the entrance to
Monmouth Park Racetrack)
Long Branch
West End Cruise Night and Concert
on Brighton Avenue Aug. 15
Millstone
part of the Kroozin High Performance
Summer
last Saturday of the month
through Sept., 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Tommy’s Inn
560 Route 537 (by Great Adventure)
Monroe
every Tuesday night, 5:30 – 9 pm.
Garveys Restaurant
405 Spotswood-Gravel Hill Road
Old Bridge
first Sunday of the month, 8:30 – 11 a.m.
more than 100 cars
The Shoppes at Old Bridge
3877 Route 9 north
Old Bridge
part of the Kroozin High Performance
Summer
first Thursday of the month
through Sept., 5:30 – 9 p.m.
rain date: second Thursday of month
Park Plaza Shopping Center
343-351 Route 34 north
Old Bridge
part of the Kroozin High Performance
Summer
first Friday through Oct., 5:30 – 9 p.m.
The Shoppes at Old Bridge
3877 Route 9 north
Woodbridge
second Tuesday of the month
through Oct. 13, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
rain date third Tuesday of the month
Olive Garden
510 Woodbridge Center Drive
Route 1 north, Woodbridge Center