GV Car Cruise marks third anniversary

Laid back atmosphere for enthusiasts

I think I’ve fallen in love... with a “Ferrari-red” 1968 Chevy Camaro.

Four years, $70,000 and a lot of love were put into restoring this beauty, said owner Jim Grooms, who became interested in classic cars as a teenager with the purchase of his first set-of-wheels — a 1956 Chevy Bel-Air. That was all it took, Grooms said, and he was “hooked for life.”

Similar stories abound at the Green Valley Classic Car Cruise, where every Wednesday evening locals are invited to show off their cars and meet with other enthusiasts in the parking lot of the Continental Shopping Plaza. About 20 cars show up each week — along with their owners — who end the night by cruising over to Triple Play in Sahuarita for burgers and cokes.

Green Valley businessman Steve Soli, of the Black & Soli accounting firm, founded the cruise three years ago with the idea of creating a laid-back atmosphere, an “anti-club” where car-lovers of all ages and walks of life can get together without the hassle of meetings and dues.

“I’m proud that this has turned into a real success,” Soli said. “We have a lot of fun out here, and a lot of friendships have been made.”

Dayton Miller, whose 1936 Ford five-window coupe is a regular at the car cruise, says it’s “great place for the guys to hang out, gossip and brag.”

Don Schutze, proud owner of a 1970’s Datsun 280 Z, is a member of the Santa Cruz Valley Car Nutz and the Tucson Z Car Club, but says he most enjoys the relaxed atmosphere of the car cruise.

“At heart, these guys are a bunch of teenagers who never quite grew up,” he said.

“The car cruise takes me back a few years.”

Everyone is welcome to check out the cars and chat up the owners in the Continental Shopping Plaza Wednesday starting at 5 p.m. For more information, call Steve Soli at 625-5988.

jrichardson@gvnews.com | 547-9726