Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023 - A good deed every week

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Created on July 6, 2023

Text:

Paul Krüger

Photos:

Andreas Beil

Shaded parking spaces were rare. Those who managed to get one were lucky - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Some cars are so heavily modified that they are barely recognizable. This 1940 Ford was certainly not fitted with twin headlights ex works - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Air-cooled VWs are popular customization objects here and there - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Whether open or closed: Julchen looks a little lost next to the big Americans - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Evolution of the Sportford: The GT 40 barely reaches the door handle of the '34 Tudor - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Enduring and frugal: a greyhound as a hood ornament on a '34 Ford - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Golden rule for a Ford "T-Bucket": The rear tires are only the right size when they are wider than they are high - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Show cars can also be practical: this 1930 Ford Tudor has a trailer coupling - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Rarities are always to be found among the obvious cars such as the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Chevelle. Who discovers the '39 Packard Station Wagon' - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Before you have to cut a hole in the hood because of the powerful compressor, it's better to leave it off altogether - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Loud in color and sound: early seventies muscle cars from the Chrysler Group - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Tails up: VW Beetle with raised hoods for an extra portion of air - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Optimized Beetle engine with two twin carburettors and closed crankcase ventilation from EMPI - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Karmann-Ghia with standard engine, but retrofitted four-pipe exhaust system - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Favorites of US car culture: pre-war vehicles, "fat fenders", finned cruisers and muscle cars - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Digging out the folding chair: It's good to stay in the shade with a cup of Pepsi - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Take a closer look: Somewhere under the leather fringes is a motorcycle - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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In a country where 2 liters is only a medium-sized drink, even the auxiliary motors on bicycles are slightly larger - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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The direct comparison makes it clear how big the stylistic leap from the first to the second Corvette generation was - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Europeans outnumbered: a lone Volvo in the midst of many US makes (and a Mazda RX-7) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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The proportion of historic commercial vehicles in the USA is significantly higher than here - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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From the back through the chest into the eye: VW buggy with an interesting exhaust pipe - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Old acquaintances: these two Chevys are likely to have met at the plant in 1957 - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Historically correct, even if European originality advocates find it hard to believe: metal shed paintwork like on this Oldsmobile already existed in the fifties - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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VW courier van with identity crisis - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu (1964) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet Fleetmaster Station Wagon (1947) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia (1963) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Ford Victoria (1932) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Ford Coupe (1931) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Willys Americar Coupe (1941) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Ford De Luxe Roadster (1932) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Ford V-8 De Luxe Panel Truck (1935) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Ford Fordor Touring Sedan (1935) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Door panels are just unnecessary ballast - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet Impala Convertible (1959) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Studebaker President Speedster (1955) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 (1966) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Ford Thunderbird (1955) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Mercury Cougar (1967) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet Camaro RS Sport Coupe (1968) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Pontiac GTO The Judge (1969) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Cadillac De Ville Convertible (1967) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe (1957) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet Corvette (1962) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Ford Falcon Hardtop (1964) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet El Camino (1967) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet Nova SS (1970) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Ford V-8 Pick-up Truck (1936) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Plymouth De Luxe Four Door Sedan (1938) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Mercury Meteor Custom 2-Door Sedan (1962) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Ford De Luxe Convertible Club Coupe (1940) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Coupe (1955) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Volkswagen 1200 Sedan (1956) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Ford Model A Phaeton (1929) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet 210 2-Door Sedan (1956) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Mercury Six-Passenger Coupe (1950) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Buick Special Two-Door Sedan (1957) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet 210 "Fleetline" 2-Door Sedan (1957) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Ford Thunderbird Hardtop (1963) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible (1961) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Sport Coupe (1963) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Ford Bronco (1969) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Ford Bronco Ranger (1974) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Cadillac De Ville Convertible (1966) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet Bel Air Station Wagon (1962) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Buick Le Sabre 2-Door Hardtop (1961) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe (1964) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Ford F-250 Flareside Pickup (1963) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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MG TC (1949) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Chevrolet Apache Four-Wheel Drive 78 Pickup (1958) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

Since June 7, 2023, the "Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin'" has been taking place every Wednesday at the Portland International Raceway in Oregon, with which the restaurant "Beaches" in Vancouver, Washington - right next door on the north bank of the Columbia River - has been raising money for charity for 28 years now. And since we had a photographer on site and Europeans rarely get the opportunity to attend car gatherings in the USA, we would like to show our readers how to live the passion for old cars in the land of unlimited possibilities with this small photo gallery.

Europeans outnumbered: a lone Volvo in the midst of many US makes (and a Mazda RX-7) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

One thing is immediately apparent: The Americans are much more open to the topic of "modified classics" than we are. Of course, if you don't have an H license plate or veteran status to lose, you can let off steam without danger: brightly colored paint jobs, exposed engine blocks and huge chrome rims; pre-war models stripped of all fenders, street cruisers lowered to the ground and VW courier cars with a Chevrolet V8 in the trunk. Whatever you like is allowed - and if you don't, it doesn't matter.

VW courier van with identity crisis - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

On the other hand, there are niche models from major manufacturers that are rarely ordered and forgotten small-series exotics from US production that you hardly ever see in Europe. How often do you see a Plymouth Prowler or a lovingly restored Studebaker President Speedster in Hialeah Green and Sun Valley Yellow, which are as garish as they are factory-original? And then, of course, there are all those who rebuild their domestic classic to factory specification, right down to the correct arching of the bolt heads.

Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Sport Coupe (1963) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

The creativity and craftsmanship of the conversions and restorations is sometimes impressive. Of course, there are also "tinkering stalls". But anyone who puts the hatchback roof section of a 1950 Chevrolet Fleetline on a 1957 Chevrolet 210 and even makes the whole thing look coherent and harmonious not only has a happy hand at the welder, but also a keen imagination and, above all, a good eye.

Chevrolet 210 "Fleetline" 2-Door Sedan (1957) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

But the vast majority of people - just like in this country - simply enjoy old cars far away from the extremes, perhaps screw a set of American racing wheels onto their Ford Mustang and enjoy the company of like-minded people. If you'd like to see for yourself, there's no need to hurry. The last "Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin'" of the year is scheduled for September 27.

Volkswagen 1200 Sedan (1956) - Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023

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Beaches Summer Social & Cruisin' 2023 - A good deed every week

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