Classic Cruisers celebrating 10th anniversary with several events

By JEFF MEYERS
Staff Writer

April 28, 2008 04:00 am

— PLATTSBURGH -- When Jerry and Dianna Seymour first met, they each owned a '57 Chevy.
It wasn't necessarily the vehicles that brought the couple together, but a love for classic automobiles has certainly been an interest they have shared throughout their marriage.
"My first car was the '57 Chevy," Dianna said recently from the couple's home on Military Turnpike. "I've always liked the look, the sportiness of classic cars."
"It's also the nostalgia, the power," Jerry added. "Most of them are quite powerful machines."
The Seymours now own four classic cars along with a 1981 Yamaha motorcycle and two "family" vehicles that they use for their day-to-day driving activities.
"I've always had an interest in collecting cars," Jerry said, adding that the first car he owned was a 1940 Ford two-door sedan. "I've always taken good care of them."
The Seymours turned their personal interest into a regional avocation for more than 300 car enthusiasts. They are both founding members of the Champlain Valley Classic Cruisers, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this summer.
"It was an idea that Jerry and I had, and we asked other people who were interested in classic cars about (creating a formal classic-car club)," Dianna said. "We started out with 15 members that first year, and we're up to 309 members now.
"We knew there were a lot of cars out there, but we didn't think it would get this big," she noted.
"It's a good group of people who share a common interest," Jerry added.
The group shares time attending local and regional car shows, classic-car cruises, regular meetings and other gatherings to express their devotion to their classic and antique autos. The cruises often include several dozen cars and attract looks of awe from onlookers.
But the members also spend a great deal of time on some serious matters as well. They are dedicated to raising funds for charities, and choose different organizations each year to focus their generosity on.
This year, fundraising efforts will go toward the Veterans Assistance Fund, Hospice of the North Country and Clinton County DARE Program.
"It's very important for us as a club to support the community," Jerry said.
The cruisers will begin their anniversary events with a display of vehicles at Champlain Centres May 17 and will begin their Friday night gatherings at Skyway Plaza May 30. Members park their classic vehicles on the plaza pavement for public viewing.
The local organization will also host its annual Champlain Valley Spring Nationals at the Clinton County Fairgrounds May 24 and 25. The event, open free of charge to the public, will feature 34 classes of vehicles and attracts owners from the northeast and Canada.
Participants will also gather following Saturday's events to take part in a group cruise through the town and city of Plattsburgh before returning to the fairgrounds.
The Seymours own a 1998 Trans Am that still looks like it should be on display at a new car lot as well as a '72 Oldsmobile that was used in the movie "The Next Karate Kid."
They also have a '54 Dodge truck that had been originally used locally as a farm vehicle and a 1932 Ford Pickup that Jerry assembled piece by piece during the winter a few years ago.
jmeyers@pressrepublican.com

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