Local Cruisers - Car Craft Magazine

With 20,000 spectators and tons of horsepower everywhere you looked, it was necessary to keep a lid on the enthusiasm. The police had a presence but kept a low profile, and everyone had a great time.
With 20,000 spectators and tons of horsepower everywhere you looked, it was necessary to k
This beautiful car is called the Poison Ivy, campaigned by Robert Martinez and Ted Miller. It's powered by a 331ci Hemi and now owned by Ken Blackmore. Jay Carpenter maintains the car and was behind the wheel for this event.
This beautiful car is called the Poison Ivy, campaigned by Robert Martinez and Ted Miller.
Of course, there were more machines than just the nitro-fed variety. The Cruisin' Grand event attracted cars from as far away as Las Vegas. Jeff Hecke towed his 490ci, 8-71-blown, Rat-powered Willys to Escondido and then had to tow all the way back for a big show on Fremont Street the following night.
Of course, there were more machines than just the nitro-fed variety. The Cruisin' Grand ev

Events like these always attract the special cars. This custom was spectacular.
Grand Avenue was segregated for pre-'70s parking only, and once the August sun went down, the activity level soared. What better way to spend a Friday night than topless in your early Vette?
Grand Avenue was segregated for pre-'70s parking only, and once the August sun went down,
If you want a choice spot to park your ride and take in all the action, it's best to arrive in the middle of the afternoon. By 5 p.m., most of the lots were already full, making the boulevard look more like an outdoor car show, with full support from the city including displays by the local fire department.
If you want a choice spot to park your ride and take in all the action, it's best to arriv

Cruisin' Escondido 1980
This story is a reincarnation of a Cruisin' USA story I wrote for the Feb. '80 issue of Car Craft. My story started with a phone call from Craig Campman, a local cruiser who heard we were coming to town to shoot the action. Back then, we seeded the trip by giving the locals a heads-up a couple of weeks before our scheduled arrival. The plan worked, as there were thousands of kids and hundreds of cars. The guys I met that night are still friends more than 25 years later. Craig Campman, Doug Eisberg, Matt Collins, Eric Schmiege, and Eric Rosendahl among others of the North County Street Machines car club are still playing with cars. I hung out with these guys for the first story and again 26 years later. Some things never change.