Cruisin' with the classics in Rolling Meadows

Hundreds of classic cars and hot rods poured into the Meijer's parking lot in Rolling Meadows on Friday for Cruise Night. But only one was a Studebaker.

Jerry Strahl of Elk Grove Village drove his newly restored 1953 Studebaker Commander into the show, making only his second appearance in a car show, and first at a Cruise Night.

Earlier this month, he brought the root-beer-colored sedan out for its public debut, and promptly won first place at Skip's Fiesta Reunion Drive-In Car Show in Grayslake.

"I'm sure it was because of the novelty," Strahl figures. "You never see (Studebakers)."

Sure enough, at Friday's Cruise Night, hosted weekly by the Rolling Meadows Cruisers Car Club, the car drew a steady stream of onlookers, who inquired about the vintage model, and what it took for Strahl to restore it.

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David Lill of Chicago paused to take photos of the car from several angles.

"You just don't see too many Studebakers," said Lill, who stopped off at the show on the way home from his job in Schaumburg.

Similar discussions between owners and spectators took place throughout the parking lot, which was jammed with more than 300 cars of all makes and models.

Visitors perused everything from some 1930 Fords, to classic 1950 Chevys, to souped-up hot rods, Corvettes and Mustangs.

With the "world's largest boom box" playing oldies in the background -- drawing youngsters to twirl Hula-Hoops and dance in front of it -- the night had all the makings for a relaxed throwback kind of evening.

Which is exactly how it was envisioned, club members say.

"It's free and it draws all ages," says Paul Bukowski of Roselle, the Cruisers Club president. "You can't beat it."

Club officers concur that while it moved to the Meijer's lot last year after spending the first 11 at the former Dominick's Finer Foods parking lot in Rolling Meadows, it continues to be a happening place every Friday night. This year's Cruise Nights go through Oct. 5.

"It just draws a nice group of people, who talk and have a good time," says Angelo Di Santi of Rolling Meadows, whose son, Nick, started the concept with five cars in a Rolling Meadows parking lot back in 1995.

"People reminisce about the old days."

That same kind of nostalgia came up in conversations with Strahl, as he told people about the boy next door, when he was growing up, who had converted a Studebaker into a "restorod," complete with a high performance engine and louvered hood.

"I guess that made an impact on me," Strahl says. "I always wanted to have one like it."

Like most of the proud car owners on hand, Strahl restored the Studebaker himself. He found the car in Northern California, which probably contributed to its minimal rust, and has spent the last four years rebuilding it.

In his Elk Grove garage, he stripped the original paint, and stripped its door handles and any exterior hardware, to achieve a sleek look. The original seats were in mint condition but the Studebaker engine was not, so he replaced it with a 383 Stroker, and installed a Muncie 4-speed transmission.

While such changes would ruffle purists, they produced an automobile that now drives well, and makes for interesting conversations at cruise nights, Strahl added.

"I still think it's the prettiest car," he says. "And now, with all the upgrades, it handles really well. I plan to drive it all the time."

If you go

Cruise Night, hosted by the Rolling Meadows Cruisers Car Club

When: 5-9 p.m. every Friday night through Oct. 5.

Where: Meijer's parking lot, corner of Golf and Algonquin roads in Rolling Meadows.

Admission: Free

Details: www.rmcarclub.com