"Look at the Car, not the Owner!"

Guys and their old cars gather anywhere there's a parking lot and a can of car wax. Last night we went to what's called the biggest and oldest car cruise in southern Florida, dating from the 1980's. The ritual is the same all across the States and Canada --- rope off a big section of the mall parking lot and pass the word around. By 5pm on a holiday weekend Friday, hundreds of cars emerge from their secret lairs, like Batman out of the cave (oh wait, he had a car too!).

Some cars are pristine restorations, some are customized, modified, or just plain homemade. Never a dull moment, literally. But the owners are not always so well-kept. A lot of them are original owners ---- seen Jimmy Buffet lately, or John Mellancamp?? Pat's golden rule is "Look at the car, not the owner!" They're passionate and encyclopedic but often debauched like they've been sipping the antifreeze and need bodywork more than their Chevvies.

But here's a question --- why do they call this a cruise when the cars aren't moving?