Hearts fuel Toys For Kids Cruise-in

"We hold this meet annually to raise toys and funds for Interfaith," said Twilight Cruisers founder Steve Hawter.

The get together Saturday, which was open to other area car clubs, included a best of meet competition with the winner selected by Garlits, a legend in drag racing.

"Over 250 cars registered," said Hawter, 70, as unusual cars joined the gathering in spite of rainy conditions early in the day.

"A donation of $2,100 and about $7,000 in toys" would go to Interfaith Emergency Services from the event, Hawter said.

Host Garlits drove his 1932 "all steel" Ford hot rod through the display aisles Saturday, stopping often to chat with exhibitors.

"I believe he raced me with some type of Kaiser," Garlits said when asked about a drag race with Hawter at Amelia Earhart field in the Miami area in 1961.

"I was driving a 1957 Kaiser, and yeah, all I saw was [the rear of] his slicks," Hawter said as both chuckled about Garlits' easy win.

Hawter, serving as DJ for the event, played 1950 and '60s songs such as "Mother In Law," "I Heard You're Getting Married" and "Alley Oop" from a 1957 travel trailer as several hundred visitors enjoyed the eclectic mix of automotive history.

Return to top