Corvette is Classic American Cruiser

Regarding “Cruise, They Said,” by Lynn O’Dell (June 21):

I read the article about cruising and car clubs with great interest, and when finished, I was left with a nagging question: I wondered how you had managed to talk about street rods, Miatas and other neat vehicles and the clubs associated with them, and neglected to even mention the car that started the whole thing.

In 1953 a phenomenon began that today includes hundreds of clubs and thousands of members with national and international affiliations. There is only one brand of car involved, but the club members include doctors, housewives, attorneys, celebs, politicos, truck drivers, factory workers, surfers and even members of the media.

They are brought together by an American automobile, actually an enduring tradition, that in the early days fostered such epics as “Route 66” and “77 Sunset Strip” on the tube and James Dean on the road.

The clubs and members have gone from drag-racing on the highway straightaways to sanctioned events at racetracks and courses all over the U.S. and Canada.

One of the oldest clubs is located here in Southern California with a membership in excess of 150. I’m proud to say that I am now a member of this progressive group. We sponsor and attend numerous car shows, rallies, poker runs, charitable events and, yes, even a cruise down Main Street to the local hamburger haven to show off our cars--most of them driven to work every day.

By now you have probably guessed that I am writing about my favorite mode of transport--the true love of the American sports car enthusiast--the Corvette.

TOM REYNOLDS

Huntington Beach

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I was very appreciative that someone has been able to put in words what seems to be a very exciting trend among car aficionados.

I am one of those 350-plus Impala lovers in SoCalSS, and I opted to retain my membership even after moving all the way back home to Indiana. I only mirror our club’s Kevin Lindsay and David Langness and the others you quoted when it comes to these car groups.

We end up using our cars as an excuse to go places and spend time with people we would not otherwise have the opportunity to meet. The cars bring us together, but the people are what keep us coming back.

ENRIQUE “CHINO” BARRETO

Indianapolis