A love affair with the automobile

By Jennifer Thomas

BELLEFONTE — Cars, trucks and motorcycles of every color and style lined the streets as the 20th annual Bellefonte Cruise drew crowds of families and car enthusiasts to town Saturday.

“It’s a reflection of the community and how the community feels about its love affair with the automobile,” said Dave Provan, who handles public relations for the Cruise.

He said the number of registered cars fell to 287 with 87 motorcycles registered.

“I don’t think it’s gas at all. It’s the weather,” Provan said. Some car owners may have been cautious to come because of the threat of thunderstorms and hail, he said. “There’s a lot of money here today.”

There was Corvette row with cars from 1965 to 2008 showcased, a rainbow of muscle cars, cars built from kits and factory-built vehicles that had been fine-tuned over the years.

“I think there’s quite a variety for everybody,” Provan said.

The car show was almost too much for 5-year-old Alex Capriani to take in. He eagerly ran up to a black 1970 Buick Electra, jumping in place to get a glimpse through the passenger side window. His mother, Kim Capriani, of Bellefonte, gave him a boost so he could see, while his sister Mary, 2, watched on.

“I love them. I love hot rods,” he said.

Kim Capriani said Alex has been saying since he was 3 that he wants to race a hot rod when he grows up. That passion is likely fueled by his father Mark’s own classic car. She said the family has been coming to the Cruise for the past three years and really enjoys it.

Even presidential candidates Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama made an appearance at the cruise — sort of. Cardboard cutouts of the candidates stood before Paul Frankhouser’s 2003 white Hummer, which was decked out in Penn State paraphernalia from top to bottom, including paw magnets, hubcaps and Nittany Lion flags.

Cardboard McCain and Obama got into the Penn State spirit wearing T-shirts — a simple Penn State shirt for Obama and an “Official tailgater” shirt for McCain.

“I don’t know how many people said I should put Joe (Paterno) in the middle,” Frankhouser said with a laugh. “We’ve got to have a little fun in our own way.”

Frankhouser, who splits his time between Orlando, Fla., and State College, said it seemed as though more people were taking pictures with the Obama cutout, but he wasn’t keeping count. The avid Penn State fan and alumnus said he expects the candidates to be a fixture at his tailgates this fall.

William Hendershot’s 1957 Chevrolet Stepside truck in Corvette yellow received numerous admiring glances from passersby. It was formerly a rust bucket and, after a 10-year restoration project for his son Todd, showing it off is rewarding, he said.

These days, the truck is used for car shows. “It’s fun to go out,” he said.

No one outside could miss Carol Lininger’s 1967 Ford Fairlane in Get’em Green, a neon green paint scheme.

“It’s outstanding, no doubt about it,” she said eyeing her car.

Beside it was husband Robert’s 1969 red Ford Fairline Cobra Jet, tagged the Red Baron.

The Liningers, of Emporium, travel to shows almost every weekend as a way to show off their vehicles and meet new people, despite the rising cost of fuel. She fills hers with aviation fuel, which is even more expensive, she said.

She said she’s owned her car about five years, while her husband is the original owner of his.

And they’re not just for show.

“I do race this car,” she said with a smile.

Jennifer Thomas can be reached at 231-4638.