In June 2011, Betsy again chauffered another couple,
however, this couple was a little bit younger. Our son wanted to impress his girlfriend, so he asked mom to drive him and his girl to the 8th grade school dance in Betsy. For most girls, this wouldn't be much of a thrill. However, she likes old cars. It was an interesting, if short trip. Though Betsy did receive the usual thumbs-up from several other parents who were also dropping off their kids.
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Betsy went to a car show at the
drive in theater in September. Many classics filled the lot as we were let in before the modern cars. The owners walked around, chatting about their cars. We even met someone with a 1961 Falcon that had a few spare parts for our son's 1961 Ranchero. A friend brought his daily driver '78 Olds along for the show.
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May 2012, back to the drive in theater. The girl is still around, so maybe Betsy made a good impression on her. The '78 Olds came along as well.
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September 2012 found Betsy at an unusual car show. Michelle had changed jobs and the new small company held a BBQ and cruise-in every fall. She received lots of attention as the new girl in town.
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September also found Betsy helping to teach the Automotive Maintenance Merit Badge for our sons Boy Scout Troop. Because of the openness of the stock engine bay, the boys were able to easily see the engine itself. We were able to compare the simplicity of the old technology to the confusing spiderweb of modern technology. Also available that day were a 1961 Ford Ranchero, 1963 MGB, 1991 Mazda Miata, 2002 Jeep Liberty, 1999 Honda CRV, 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel, and a 2000 Honda Civic.
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Back to Michelle's workplace for another show in August 2013. It's nice to be someplace that appreciates a good classic, including the owner and many of the employees.
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As soon as the Wagon was done in 2015, we took both '56s to the local cruise in at Burger King.
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The pair together. "Beauty" and the "Beast". His and Hers. Or stock and hot rod. Any way you want to name them they definitely show off the love that went into the restorations.
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The cruise in was busy that night, though we've been to busier where the grass back lot was also full.
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The pair drew lots of attention that day.
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Unfortunately, this was to be the last cruise in for this summer. Life took over and we had to catch up on other projects at home. Then the Wagon decided it needed more attention and broke the end off the oil dipstick. We fixed that problem, but then had to roll back the years on a badly abused Cherokee and Bronco, so the cruise-ins and shows became fewer.
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Fall of 2015 Betsy went to work again. Two of the women that I work with wanted to go for a ride so we went out for an afternoon coffee.
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One wanted to drive so I let her, just around the parking lot.
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Cruising at the local Burger King in 2016.
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Betsy and the Wagon make a good showing together.
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Our friend's Olds sits next to the Wagon and Betsy at the local Burger King.
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At the 2016 Sulley Plantation show, Betsy had a companion for as long as I wanted to stay with her. Our Beagle, Pop, came up in a friend's car that day.
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Back to work for the 2016 Picnic.
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Burger King in 2017. We couldn't get spaces together this time, so we parked across from each other.
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At work again in 2017. So many great cars.
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At Kurt's work in 2018, Betsy got to pose with the boss.
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For Halloween in 2018, several wanted to do a Grease theme. We had our "Danny", several Pink Ladies, even the Shop Teacher. Betsy did her part.
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She's still my choice for Best Car, even if she never wins that category.
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Betsy was in great company that day with two '57s and a '55.
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Betsy poses next to a Corvette on Halloween, 2020 at Sterling Hot Rods. There were very few shows in the last few years as we tried to finish up the Ranchero. It is sitting inside the building, mostly done.
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We found a new cruise-in at a place colloquilly called The Wall in Bristow, VA.
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Betsy had to escort the Ranchero to The Wall.
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Betsy got to watch as everyone fussed over the Ranchero for our son's wedding in June 2021. She was probably remembering her own wedding getaway so many years ago.
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She had to be in the pictures as well. And yes, the bride was pictured far above at the 8th grade school dance. They had been together for 10 years before finally tying the knot.
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While the family was in town for the wedding, they wanted to drive Skyline Drive to see the scenary. Betsy and the Ranchero led the parade of cars that included a 2020 Jeep Wrangler, a 2020 Excursion, a 2021 Ford F150 and a Toyota.
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Betsy loved her position as lead car during the family cruise through Skyline Drive. She was able to experience the scenary first.
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In a field of over 100 at the 2021 Edgar Rohr show in Manassas, VA, she still took home a trophy for one of the Top 35. There were so many beautiful cars in her stock class that we did not expect her to take anything.
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