Classic cars quicken the pace at Crown Center
Gearheads were flipping their tops over the 250-plus retro vehicles at “Super Cruise” Sunday.
Seemingly all makes, models and colors of cars, trucks and motorcycles were on display in Washington Crown Center’s main parking lot for “Super Cruise” Sunday.
Patrons got an inside look at the workings of classic vehicles at “Super Cruise” Sunday.
Rosalie Dibert stared across the mall parking lot at the rows of classic vehicles, many with their hoods up, and all attracting various levels of gearheads. Then she flashed her classic smile.
“Isn’t it just beautiful to look out and see that?” she marveled.
For the president of Washington Cruisers Car Club, it was a golden moment in her group’s silver anniversary celebration. “Super Cruise,” the club’s signature annual event, wheeled its way to Washington Crown Center Sunday. Cars, trucks and motorcycles – all retro, all in immaculate condition – were driven there by proud owners.
Amid a backdrop of silver skies and golden oldies, the club enjoyed a day in the fast lane. By 12:30 p.m., only 90 minutes after the event began, almost as many vehicles were on display as the 253 that appeared during the entire five-hour event last year.
“We call this ‘Super Cruise’ for a reason,” said Dibert, a twice-retired and twice-unretired educator from Chartiers Township, who is as much a gearhead as her husband, Donald, and many of the hundreds who were on hand. She purchased a 1931 Pontiac Saturday. It wasn’t on display, but her husband’s bright red 1933 Willys got a lot of looks.
Cruisers Car Club has been around since 1992 and has about 100 members, an increase in recent years, Dibert said. Most are from Washington and Allegheny counties.
The club gets together with a theme night every other Saturday at McDonald’s on Racetrack Road in Meadow Lands. Its next one will be “Featuring Mustangs” next weekend. Members also participated in an event at the Spring House, North Strabane Township, last month and teamed with the Wild Things for a night in June.
“We exist partially to enjoy cars and each other’s company,” she added, “but also to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House (Charities).”
RMHC is a partnership with McDonald’s Corp., the fast-food restaurant chain, whose mission is to keep seriously ill children receiving medical treatment and their families together. Donations and volunteers are key elements of the McDonald’s House operations.
The club has been donating to this charity for years. Its 25th anniversary motto, displayed on board members’ shirts Sunday, said “Washington Cruisers Cruisin’ for a Cause.”
Funds come from a $5 registration fee from each classic car owner and a $5 donation requested of patrons wanting to check out the wheels. “People are generous,” Dibert said. “We say it’s for Ronald McDonald House and ask $5, and sometimes we get $30 or $40.”
She said early Sunday afternoon the group hoped to get $2,000 during the event in North Franklin Township.
Dibert, 76, is well-schooled in doing this because, well, she is well-schooled. She was a longtime teacher in Pittsburgh public schools before retiring; then taught again and hung them up once more. Dibert now works for East Stroudsburg University, “helping to prepare teachers to be board-certified” who are living in Washington, Greene, Allegheny, Westmoreland and Butler counties.
“I can take a teacher who’s ‘eh’ and make (him or her) that much better,” Dibert said, smiling once more.
She did that often Sunday.