Cruisin' The Coast
Written by Keith Fudge

Hello, and welcome to My Classic Car.  In October 2004, Dennis Gage and the crew had the opportunity to attend the 9th Annual Cruisin’ the Coast in Biloxi/Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.  When Dennis and the crew arrived, the rain put a damper on the vehicles but not on the people’s spirits.  Dennis spoke with Beth Carriere with Hancock County Tourism who told him that even though the weather wasn’t cooperating, there was still plenty of things for folks to do.  Beth said that when people come to this event, “they look, they shop, and they talk!”  She also referred to Cruisin’ the Coast as “a controlled Mardi Gras,” and she talked about how all the communities located along the 35+ miles of the cruise truly embrace the festival and offer their full support.  In fact, it took several communities to host the event as there were 5,500 registered for the 2004 show.  While Dennis and Beth ordered another cup of coffee and waited for the rain to subside, Dennis began to reminisce about some of his favorite cars that he has seen at this spectacular event.  

Dennis remembered Rick Davis and his unbelievably slick 1962 Galaxie 500.  A truly rare early muscle car, this bad boy was equipped with a 406 cubic-inch, 405 horsepower engine.  This motor also featured a 3 x 2 carburetor option, and was a factory 4-speed as well.  Original seats and seat belts were just two of the features that made this beast look as if it just rolled off the showroom floor.  Next, Dennis thought about Richard House’s 1950 Caddy.  Given the name of Nadine, after the song by Chuck Berry, this long, lean and low-slung beauty featured a top that was chopped 2 ¾ inches, 1949 Caddy tail lights, 1953 Ford headlights, and more purple paint than one can imagine!  The interior was built for cruisin’ comfort with amenities such as ultra leather seats, Vintage Air, and a killer stereo system including a 10-disc CD changer.  Powered by a 350 Chevy, Richard drove this sweet ride more than 600 miles from Ft. Worth, Texas for the show.  Another of Dennis’s favorites was Doug Miller’s 1936 Ford Panel Truck.  This all-steel, flame covered beauty is powered by a tricked out 350 Chevy with a Tunnel Ram manifold with three deuces.  On the inside, this baby is all about comfort with power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, and cruise control.  It also featured Mustang II seats and a 10-disc CD changer.  Doug told Dennis that the flames in the paint took 150 hours to complete, and he spent more than 100 hours on the louvers in the hood.  By the way, he drove his classic car in from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

After the rain held off for a bit, Dennis found Terry Biri and his stunning 1937 Plymouth Business Coupe. Terry built this car, and it was made for cruisin’ with power brakes, power steering, and air conditioning.  The interior is home to a pair of 1989 Dodge Colt seats that have been luxuriously recovered.  Terry said that this bad boy is still all Mopar and is powered by a 340 Plymouth engine and 904 Mopar tranny.  Terry found this car in St. Charles, Missouri and drives it all the time.  Finally, Dennis heard from Bill Wright, Executive Vice-President and Casino Manager of the Grand Casino in Gulfport.  He told Dennis just how important Cruisin’ the Coast is to the local economy and how the Grand wanted to be involved.  So, when the weather is bad, the Grand holds Show and Shines in the casino!  Truly, this is one of the great car events in the country.

As an addendum, since Dennis and the crew visited Cruisin'; the Coast in October 2004, life has drastically changed for everyone on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  We all realize the recent devastation and hardship that the people have received and endured due to Hurricane Katrina.  Needless to say, there was no Cruisin’ the Coast event this year.  However, the people of Mississippi are resilient and are already planning ahead.  On the Crusin’ the Coast website, the following statement has been posted:
 
Due to catastrophic damages the Mississippi Gulf Coast suffered by Hurricane Katrina, the 10th annual Cruisin’ the Coast has been postponed until October 1-8, 2006.  We appreciate your heartfelt concern and look forward to seeing you next year for Cruisin’ the Coast as we return bigger and better than ever.  Please be advised that Cruisin’ the Coast is not affiliated with any other Cruisin’ the Coast event held anywhere but on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  The Cruisin’ the Coast office was lost during the hurricane; therefore, the staff will not be available until the first of the year.  After this time you may call 1-888-808-1188 for any information regarding Cruisin’ the Coast.  Again, thank you for your thoughts and prayers as we begin the process of rebuilding the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  See y’all in 2006!

We will keep them in our thoughts and look forward to seeing them next year.  Until our next visit, remember: “Honor the timeless classics.  Happy Motoring!”