Get your motor running, and head out on the highway that leads to the Bainbridge Island Cruise-In.
The monthly cruise-in attracts classic car and motorcycle enthusiasts from the area who come to congregate and talk shop.
Across a line of classic cars parked on the lawn of the island’s First Baptist Church, drivers discuss maintenance, engine rebuilds, or simply how cherry a ride looks.
Jerry Hanrahan brought his wife’s 1960 Porsche to the event on Tuesday.
The red sports car looks pretty good at 52-years-old, though Hanrahan had to put a little elbow grease into it. The Porsche has had generous and thoughtful owners all its life. The Hanrahans are no different.
“If its lucky, it comes out two or three times every year,” Hanrahan said.
Hanrahan eagerly popped open the rear-engine hood on the Porsche and pointed out his modifications.
But he really lights up when discussing his prized 1967 Jaguar.
The Jag wasn’t able to make it to the cruise-in this time — Hanrahan had it in pieces in his garage — but he had a picture of it in his wallet, right next to pictures of his family.
“To me it’s my Franken-Jag,” Hanrahan laughs when talking about all the extra work he has put into it.
His wife found the car in a field, grass growing around the high-end auto and through it.
It had no engine, transmission or even upholstery.
“She said, ‘This will keep you busy,’” Hanrahan said. “It took five years.”
The car is Hanrahan’s special project and he likes to regularly take it to the motorcar meet-ups.
Parked next to the shiny red Porsche at the cruise-in this week was quite a contrast — a 1943 Willys Jeep, complete with drab military paint job, canvas top and an ax mounted to the side.
“I had to rebuild the engine, transmission, and put in new electrical, new brakes,” said Don Teresi.
“There are maybe a handful of them around the world that are still fairly original,” he added.
The Jeep has been kept as original as Taresi possibly can. If he isn’t reproducing a feature, such as the rear-view mirror, he’s looking as far as France for old surplus parts laying around.
The cruise-in is held every last Tuesday of the month on the lawn of the First Baptist Church on the corner of Madison Avenue and Highway 305. Burgers, hotdogs and pizza are sold, with the proceeds going to benefit the island’s Helpline House.
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