SAUGUS — A handful of classic cars cruised into town Tuesday evening — filling up the Fuddruckers parking lot off of Route 1 North for a weekly showcase, part of the summer-long Cruise Night Car Shows.
Guy Moley of Lynn and Dominic Montano of Saugus organize the event each week, which is now in its second season and fills Fuddruckers each Tuesday night between May and late October. Tuesday evening’s event faced sparser attendance than organizers typically expect, a result of heavy rain at the show’s 5 p.m. start time.
“Our usual average is about 80 or so cars. The highest average we have had turned out to be 125, but that won’t be the turnout number for tonight,” said Guy Moley.
Fuddruckers Manager James Asuncion said it’s a “pleasure” to play host to the event each week.
“There’s always positivity and good vibes,” he said. “I make sure everyone is happy and has a great Fuddruckers burger.”
Guy Moley said the event draws out a number of regulars, and on Tuesday, those in attendance held a brief tribute for James Leopold, a regular attendee who died in May, which included decorating his usual parking spot with balloons.
“We had those who attended rev their engines for him. We made sure to have balloons in his parking spot,” said Guy Moley.
There are free raffle tickets that are handed out to everyone, including the kids, in hopes of winning prizes.
Keith Sturgis came out with his young grandson Cody in a 1988 red Corvette.
“It has 100,000 miles on it, it’s a four speed all original. I don’t really drive it. I spend more time waxing and cleaning it than using it,” said Sturgis. He has attended car shows for the last six years for his grandson and has proudly owned his Corvette for the last 15 years. The original sticker from 1988 still sticks neatly on the corner of the car’s windshield. “The interior is in great condition, all brand new,” he said.
“I like that they go fast,” said Cody.
Jim Beaton won the Car of the Week certificate for his 1971 Mustang, which he fixed up himself after purchasing it in New Hampshire.
“There’s over 100,000 miles on it; I’ve had it for the last 30 years now. You don’t see a lot of them anymore,” said Beaton.
Another classic blue convertible model — a 1967 Corvette — made an appearance, along with a few other cars that pulled in. The turnout was no more than 10 cars, but the Moleys decided not to cancel and were satisfied with the turnout that showed. They are looking forward to a nicer day and bigger outcome next week.
Engines revved as the small group of attendees cruised their way out to finish out the evening.
Reporter error, due to incorrect statement of one organizer and the town of which they reside as residents. The item regrets this error.
Magella Cantara can be reached at [email protected].
