News 32nd annual Cruise included cars, trucks – and vintage ice cream cart

Rolling past a replica of the “Griswold Family Truckster,” the green station wagon from “National Lampoon's Vacation” with granny on the top inside a black garbage bag and a leash connected to the back bumper – was a small antique vehicle that many people gathered around for two reasons.

Later, it rolled past three General Lee replicas. That small, colorful vehicle also made its way past a “Starsky and Hutch” Gran Torino, a VW camper, historic Fords and Chevys and even military dump trucks.

The vehicle mentioned above is not, of course, a car or truck; it's an ice cream cart.

Cathie Beatty pushed the 1950s-era cart during its debut at the Vinton Cruise while selling Peppy's Ice Cream treats for Wesley United Methodist Church, from a cart Tim Bird had recently bought for his business.

Despite the repeated afternoon showers, more than 200 owners brought their vehicles to Vinton for the 32nd Annual Vinton Cruise. That number was noticeably less than the 350-400 vehicles that normally line up on several streets surrounding the courthouse on a July Saturday afternoon. But those who did bring their vehicles – and soft cloths to wipe off the rain water – provided a unique collection of classic, antique, unique and colorful cars and trucks for local residents to admire.

Mike Vranek of Tama is the owner of the red Gran Torino with the iconic white stripe along the sides. The car, which includes toys, games and models of the car made famous by the 1970s cop TV show, is one of just 100 of such vehicles made by Ford, said Vranek.

During the cruise, the car's odometer rolled past 42,000.

“When I first got the car, I didn't drive it very much because it had such low mileage,” said Vranek, who said later he changed his mind.

“I figured, why have the car if I am not going to have fun with it,” he says.
Vranek – as he did in Vinton on Saturday – often finds himself at car shows parked next to Ryan Miller's General Lee. Miller has taken his iconic car to many shows and has met and collected autographs from James Best, Catherine Bach and many of the cast and crew of the “Dukes of Hazzard” TV show. Miller told those who stopped to ask about his car that yes, the front doors do open (as did the doors on the car used in the TV show). He let many children pose for photos while sitting Bo Duke-style on that door.

Along with the General Lee, Vranek says he also often finds himself next to a replica of the “A-Team” van.

The Cruise, as always, included a variety of cars with unique paint jobs – some original, some custom and some as tributes. Many drivers were accompanied by young children and other family members.

Despite the afternoon of rain, the skies cleared and the cruise began in mostly sunny conditions.

See more photos HERE.