Some kind of wheels: Car collectors make stop in Patterson

PATTERSON — Wedell -Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill Museum was selected as a “unique spot” for travelers to visit while participating in the inaugural state driving tour. The event coincides with National Collector Car Appreciation Day.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and Pete Vicari, of Vicari Auction, are responsible for coordinating the driving tour.

Vehicles of all types, ranging in vintage from 1931 through 2016, could be seen in the lineup.

“We just thought it would be best to do a cruise,” Vicari said. “We’ve got people that live in all parts of Louisiana, and they don’t even know these places are here.”

Participants traveled from Florida, Missouri, Arkansas and five other states.

“They love it,” Vicari said. “It’s not like a car show where you go park and sit there all day. You get out and drive your car. And we go to very unique spots.”

Vicari drove a 1937 Bugatti during the tour.

Travelers stopped at the museum on Friday after visiting Avery Island. They toured the Tabasco factory and Jungle Gardens. The tour started in Baton Rouge and concluded in New Orleans at Mardi Gras World.

David Williams of St. Charles, Missouri, said Vicari made him attend. It’s the first time he and his wife have been to Louisiana.

“And I’m glad he did,” Williams said. “I’ve never had more fun. … I love everything. This is wonderful. The park was wonderful. I’m having a ball.”

Williams owns Fastlane Classic Cars.

Ford Performance Association member Kerry DeCorte of New Orleans traveled along to support his car group and see areas of Louisiana he had yet to visit.

“It’s all new to me,” DeCorte said.

DeCorte visited an aviation museum in Washington, D.C., but he didn’t know an aviation museum existed in Patterson.

“It’s nice to know that we have these kinds of things here,” DeCorte said.

Another Ford Performance Association member, Al Brand of New Orleans, participated in his first cruising tour. Like many others, Brand is new to venturing out to the areas listed as tour spots, even in his hometown.

Going out with the group, Brand is able to visit places he normally wouldn’t go to on his own.

“I’ve been in New Orleans all my life,” Brand said, “and I’ve never been to Mardi Gras World before.”

Lawrence Bergeron and Rudy Landry of Kentwood thought participating in the driving tour would be good. They rode in a 1959 Chevrolet Bel-Air.

Bergeron said he enjoyed passing through smaller towns.

“It’s something we hadn’t done,” Bergeron said. “It’s a relaxing day.”

On the tour, “you can take your time,” Landry said.

Bergeron and Landry own a car upholstery business in Kentwood.

New Orleans resident and cruising participant Teresa Reed “loved every part of it.” Reed and her husband, Michael Jr., are members of the Ford Performance Association. They left the classic mustang at home.

“We have a 1966 red convertible in our garage,” Teresa Reed said. “It’s won all kind of awards in its heyday. … This is going to grow and grow.

“It’s going to be like the one in Mississippi, Cruisin the Coast. You wait and see.”

Mike Reed is co-owner of Riteway Piston Ring in Metairie, which specializes in older engines.

An auction was held Saturday in New Orleans. The purpose of the auction is to bring buyers and sellers together, Vicari said. It is also to promote the classic car hobby. Many classic car auctions are held in the northern United States.

Last year marked 20 years in business for Vicari Auction. The highest amount anyone has ever paid in a Vicari car auction is $425,000.

Next year, there are plans to extend the driving tour to three days, Vicari said. It will start in North Louisiana and end in New Orleans.

“We want to do something fun for our customers,” Vicari said.