- November 23, 2024
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Updated Dec. 2
by: Michele Meyers
Contributing Writer
From the sublime to the surreal, the 47th-annual Daytona Turkey Run saw over 6,000 vintage, classic and muscle cars, buses, trucks and the random boat setup house at Daytona International Speedway’s infield for the Thanksgiving weekend. Spectators could enjoy a beer served from an oversized truck or get homemade ice cream churned by a John Deere tractor.
Even though many local events have been canceled or poorly attended due to the risks of COVID-19, registration for the Turkey Run Car Show, Car Corral, Artisan Alley and Food Vending were sold out. In comparison to previous years, it seemed like business as usual for the car show-swap meet hybrid whose tag line boasts “the largest combined car show and swap meet in the USA.”
Sunday slowed considerably at the venue, but that did not deter the remaining car clubs parked on the east side of the track near Turn 4. Palm Coast Cruisers was one of the diehard clubs staying until the end even though there was only one other club riding it out in the Green Lot.
Cruisers is currently run by President Steve Lancour.
Most of the Cruisers attending the Turkey Run hire professional mechanics, restorers and auto body gurus to build their pristine vehicles. Lancour, on the other hand, has been a mechanic since the age of 14 and continues to work on his own cars which means a total of 56 years in. He paid $750 for his current El Camino which was waterlogged by Hurricane Irene in Vermont. Eight years and $15,000 later, he does not regret his purchase.
Lancour is a retired Vietnam Veteran but his commitment and devotion to his car club puts him close to a regular work week schedule.
“We are a true car club. One month we went to 17 shows,” Lancour said.
Esposito’s zeal for Palm Coast Cruisers and state-of-the-art cars is evident. She said: “This is a great time for car enthusiasts to get together and hang out, enjoy the cars and talk car stuff.”