The eighth annual Yankalilla Cruise on Sunday, November 15 is revvin’ up big time, and Marc Kalme, of Normanville, pictured with his dazzling 1957 Chevrolet Belair, is already starting his engine. And you probably heard it, all 600 horsepower.
More than 500 classic, custom, hot roads and cars with the real steel chrome bumper bars pre-1979 will depart Castle Plaza and cruise from downtown South Road, Edwardstown to Yankalilla Oval from 10am where thousands of car enthusiasts will gather.
It is widely regarded as one of the biggest car meets of its type in the state, and Marc says it’s a credit to the organisers, including local Billy Peel, who was mainly responsible for creating the event presented by Rotary Club of Yankalilla and sponsored by Shannons Insurance. It’s great for the town.
Marc, who appropriately has just turned 57, loves his ‘57 Chevy, which he bought as a wreck in California, USA eight years ago.
“When we first got it the car it was left-hand drive and black, but it has been totally converted to a right-hand drive, fully-customised red car,” Marc said. “Everything is Chevy 57 through and through.
“It is a two-door sports model. I only drive it to car shows – it’s too expensive to run because it sucks up the juice like crazy. I love the old-school cars… it’s like going back in time. Everything is metal; solid. When you are driving it just makes you feel good. They’re as tough as.
“The ’57 Chevy is the most popular model of any car ever built in the world; it’s all style and elegance. They’re beautiful, but I’m bias.
“This is still a work in progress. There’s been a lot of stress, sweat and money, but I have loved every moment of it.”
The super Cruise weekend starts with live music at the Yankalilla Hotel on the Friday night, a bit of rock ’n roll and swinging on the oval plus a mini-cruise along Carrickalinga during Saturday afternoon, and come the night there’s more rocking and rolling at the Yankalilla Hotel. The big action, fun and entertainment for the whole family starts when the gates open on the Sunday at 10am. Cost: $15 per vehicle regardless of number of occupants (keep it legal); $5 per motorcycle and ‘walk ins’. The kids – and the children – will love it.