I haven’t yet done a full CC on my classic Mercedes-Benz 220D yet but I plan to use it to where and whenever possible. Every year in Lethbridge the big local car club, the Street Wheelers, puts on a whole weekend filled with automotive related activities. The highlight might just be a controlled cruise involving hundreds of special interest vehicles that takes on a party like atmosphere. I decided to take my three young boys and my elderly Benz to join the fun.
Registration was required to participate and I have to commend them as it was the model of efficiency. Within two or three minutes I’d paid and received my sticker which was required to enter the closed off the cruise streets. With all the automotive eye candy around this is one line up I may not have minded sticking around in. Of course with my clattering diesel engine perhaps others may not have appreciated that.
Looks like I picked a good year to participate as the cruise was celebrating its 35th year. Amazing to think my Mercedes would have only been eight years old when the first cruise happened.
Despite the streets being closed off to regular traffic there were so many special interest vehicles that the cruise often resembled a traffic jam in the early parts of the evening.
I have to say the dashboard with the separate VDO gauges and the large antique looking steering wheel is one of my favorite features of the 220D. With only 59hp on tap the Mercedes was ideally suited to this low speed cruise.
While classic Detroit iron was featured predominantly there is still a good variety of cars to be seen illustrated by this classic Volkswagen wagon and modern drop top Mustang. A Hummer H1 truck does duty as a sign in the background.
A rather large tractor even showed up for a while.
Since I was driving my boys, ages six, nine and eleven, were responsible for a large portion of the photography both inside and outside the car.
TVRs aren’t exactly common over here but this 1978 3000M is a little more uncommon than most with the British 3.0L Essex V6 rather than the Cologne V6 or the Kent four cylinder.
These Iltis military vehicles were produced by Bombardier from 1984 to 1986 for the Canadian Military. Originally designed by Volkswagen for the German army the Canadian variant differs slightly in bumper and dashboard specification. Powered by a 1.7L Volkswagen four cylinder engine they are quite capable off road but were replaced by the Mercedes G-Wagon due to concerns over the lack of body armor. They were auctioned off a few years back so occasionally you get to a see a street driven example.
This 1962 Cadillac Series 62 convertible would make an almost ideal family cruiser on a nice summer evening.
In the end the boys and I had a fantastic evening and thanks to my mother’s help I was able to give each boy a solo ride in the front seat. That checks off one thing on the list of possible events for the 220D as well.
Love that red 64 Valiant convertible!
I’m diggin’ that black Chrysler 300!
+1 on that. I got quite a kick out of the Edsel with a continental kit too.
+2
Me too on the 300,you’ll make a full size fan of me soon!The TVR is a nice example,the factory is being converted to an ice rink last I heard
I did a CC on one of those 300s last year: https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1968-chrysler-300-elwoods-designs-were-jake/
I used to own a white 4th gen Firebird convert. It can’t be my old one. Wrong coloured top,and mine didn’t have dual exhaust.
Another reason I know its not mine. The one in the photo appears to be running. mine spent most of the summer’s with my mechanic.
@ David…The old Benz looks good. Is it a survivor? Love the colour keyed wheel covers.
It is mostly a survivor. It had an engine rebuild in the 80s and I did some body work on it but I’m only the third owner. The values don’t really allow for a full restoration so most are survivors. Mine has a 182k miles on it.
Is that an Edsel straight ahead in the 1st picture?
Yep, a ’59. Overdone with a continental spare, of course. I seriously doubt any ’59’s came from the dealer with that setup.
There should be a movement to de-continental kit ’50s cars.
I do not care for them!
Love your old Benz I dont think Ive seen one with round headlights before almost like a 190D cool
The Iltis is the genesis of every Audi with Quattro – the original prototype had an Audi 80 body on top of Iltis running gear, cool little trucklet, I had no idea Bombardier took I’ve the production. And I love your MB, can’t wait to read the CC or COAL on that.
My favorite is that 300…but that shot of the 62 Cadillac is fantastic: it looks like it’s doing 100mph!
Love the 68 Chry 300 and the 64 Valiant. 62 Cad is nice too. But why is there no 3 pointed star at the end of the hood of your Benz? I would need that as a constant reminder of why I was putting up with such a bog-slow car. 🙂 I sure needed the Cad crest/wreath for the same reason in my 89 Brougham with the 307. But I guess there is that big steering wheel.
I have the star but missing the bit to hold it onto the grill.
Always enjoy Lethbridge. Was just there this spring.
David, what dates do these cruise nights usually fall around?
I will be checking out a similar event in Saskatoon later in August.
Usually the second or third weekend in July. It is a huge party all weekend long. Drag racing, cruise, auto-x and show & shine. The cruise is always on Friday.
Always dug the body-colored hubcaps on the old Benzes. Sweet Caddy.
Love the 300 and that Coronet, even if all we get to see is the fender…
That is a great old Mercedes David! I hope we’ll get to see more of it soon!
Oh, and a great cruise too!