The monthly Marblehead Cruise In hosted cars of all makes and models on Ocean Avenue on Tuesday.
Enthusiasts gathered, proudly representing their cars. They talked about their cars’ stories and talked shop with anyone who strolled by.
The car show was started by Tucker Beatty and his friend Nick Parente. It hosts roughly 50 cars “on a good day,” and on the busiest days, it has hosted more than 80 cars.
The car show takes place between April and September on the first or second Tuesday of every month.
“We have always felt that there was an appetite for a fun little car show around here,” Beatty said.
He said they both have Land Rovers, and after hosting a car show for Beatty’s birthday party a couple of years ago, they thought they should open it up for the entire community.
Jimmy McCarriston, who was representing a silver 1997 BMW E36, also attended the birthday party for Beatty. He said that to get the car show off the ground during its inception, they would place business cards on the windshield of “cool cars.”
“Over the last few years, we have been known for a really weird and crazy variety and cars,” Beatty said. “It’s kind of a melting pot for whatever you like, whatever you’re into, there’ll be something here that you would be interested in.”
A special edition 1993 Jaguar XJS was proudly represented by Bob DiLisio. He said it is one of only 66 ever made and only has 35,000 miles on the dash.
“I have always wanted a XJS with a five-speed transmission and I finally found one,” he said.
Michael Smith was representing a 1929 Ford Model A Tudor. He said his favorite memory of the car is representing it in the Marblehead Christmas Parade.
“It’s a lot of fun, everyone is there for a good time, and that’s definitely been my favorite thing so far,” Smith said.
William Tracy, better known in the community at Uncle Sid, said he is the original owner of an Excalibur SSK, which he bought in 1966. He said he bought it on the Neck for $5,700.
Michael Lafayette represented a 1931 Deluxe Roadster. He said he and Tom Blackler, who is president of the Marblehead Old Car Club, worked on the car for three years “to bring it back from the dead.” This included replacing the gas tank, which caught fire the day the car was delivered.
Lafayette said the car’s nickname is the Flaming Coffin.
“It went from being on fire to a beautiful car,” he said.
The next car shows will take place at 118 Ocean Ave. on July 9, Aug. 13, and Sept. 10. There is no registration required and all dates are weather permitting. Check out MHDcrusiein.com for more information.