Take a ride with Sumter Cruisers Classic Car Club

The first cars ever made hit the roads in the late 1800s. They were, and still are, a topic of great fascination for many people, whether it be about their design, speed or technology.

In order to fuel this fascination and bring together car enthusiasts, the first major American car show was hosted by Automobile Club of America in 1900 at New York City's Madison Square Garden, according to the New England Auto Museum. Since then, car clubs have revved up across the nation for car enthusiasts to meet and show off the latest innovations in car technology or commemorate and upkeep cars of the past. One such club was created in Sumter almost 30 years ago.

The Sumter Cruisers Classic Car Club was the first of its kind in Sumter, founded in 1997 by a small group of classic car enthusiasts. The original founders include Dave Marcella, Tommy Smith, Larry Brunson, John Coward and Jesse Robertson, according to Bobby Beatson Jr., current president of the club.

"The reason for the original founding of the club was to give car enthusiasts, especially classic car enthusiasts, a way to show their cars and to have a meeting place," Beatson Jr. said.

A passion for classic cars may have brought the group together, but their bonds are deeper than that. Many members are deeply invested, lifelong members, such as the late Jack Sanders and the late Kenneth McInnis Sr. Their wives, Debbie Sanders and Brenda McInnis, respectively, still frequent the club meetings because of the tight connections they built with members through the years, according to Beatson Jr. He explained he really wanted to honor these committed, lifelong members for all they have done with the club.

"I wanted to make sure that I honored these guys before it was too late … a lot of these guys are in their upper seventies and lower eighties, and they still love [the cars and club]. It's something that you can do right on up to your old [age]."

The club still holds close to its roots, hosting several meetings and events year 'round. From April to October, the club hosts "cruise-ins'' at Wesmark Plaza on the fourth Saturday of each month. Beatson explained cruise-ins are for "people that have old cars, and we just line the cars up and let people come by and look at them, and we sit out in the parking lot and talk." Also, on the second Thursday of each month, club members meet at Second Mill Restaurant to enjoy company, chat about cars and other shared interests and take prayer requests.

Cars are not the only concern of this club, though. The club is a nonprofit that donates 100% of the proceeds earned through membership fees, sponsorships, 50/50 raffles and more to local charities including Sumter United Ministries, local pregnancy centers and the Fireside Fund. According to Beatson Jr., the club was able to donate about $1,500 to the trio of charities in 2023, totaling $4,500 in donations.

The club has an upcoming car show hosted outside of Willie Sue's, at 3355 Patriot Pkwy., on Oct. 19. This is one of two car shows annually hosted by the club; the other is held at the Striped Bass Festival in Manning. However, this year's October car show will be a little different, Beatson Jr. said.

Generally showcasing classic cars from 1960s-'70s or late-model muscle and exotic cars, the club plans to expand membership and welcome motorcycles and imported cars to the upcoming car show, according to Beatson Jr.

"We're just trying to keep the sport alive," Beatson Jr. expressed.

If you are interested in joining the club or visiting a car show, visit Sumter Cruisers on Facebook.