Generations: Passing the Hobby Down

Left to right: Mike “Vair,” Mike, and patriarch John Slotwinski. Standing right behind John is his stepson Will Briddes. John’s garage holds a trove of treasures including his prized 1956 Buick Special.

GENERATIONS

A passion passed down helps keep the hobby alive

By Lou Sitaras

When participating in a local car show, I find no greater joy than seeing different generations of the same family enjoy a day of sunshine and classic cars. Many times, it’s father and son or grandfather and grandson. Sometimes it’s father and daughter or big brother and little brother. Whatever the relation, it’s heartwarming to see the knowledge and passion of classic cars being passed down from one generation to another.

In honor of Father’s Day this year, Cruising Magazine begins a three-part series acknowledging the bond with these different generations and what led them to this path in their lives. After all, it’s this younger generation who will be tasked with caring for these vehicles as time marches forward. So, with that in mind, following is our first installment of Generations.

John Slotwinski (Zoomie) is the patriarch of a classic car family and has been an enthusiast from the time he was a young boy. He’s a member of several different car clubs, including the Broken Rods and Car Show Team/ Delco Cars & Bikes.

Zoomie took auto mechanics courses at Chester High School and has owned many remarkable vehicles over the years, but the one that made the biggest impression on him was his dad’s 1956 Buick Special. It was a car he loved from the moment he laid eyes on it; he dreamed of owning one himself someday. Dreams do come true and these days, Zoomie can be found at local events throughout the Delaware Valley with his beautiful and distinctive 1956 Buick Special. You will also find his stepson, Will Briddes, alongside him.

Zoomie’s love of classic cars is second to none and I’m pleased to say that love is shared by his son, Mike.

Mike was saddled with physical disabilities at a young age and forced to learn to drive with his left foot. It was a challenge, but one that he mastered. Then one day while in shop class, a unique car came in that didn’t have that annoying hump on the floor that made left foot driving so difficult. That car was the rear-engine Chevrolet Corvair. Mike was hooked. He had found a classic car he could drive with ease.

Over the years, he’s owned many variations of this remarkable car that Ralph Nadar disliked so much. Today he owns a 1961 Corvair Lakeside station wagon and a 1962 Corvair Rampside truck and regularly attends the annual National Corvair Convention with his family.

How much does Mike love Corvairs? He bestowed his son, Mike Jr., with the middle name of “Vair.” Adding to all of this is the fact that Mike (“Vair”) attends Delaware Tech and has taken shop classes from Cruising Magazine’s very own Frank Adkins. Adkins has made it a mission in his life to teach the younger generation about cars and this is a great example of his work in action.

Zoomie, Mike, Mike Jr., and Will. All four men have inherited a passion for classic cars that started with Zoomie’s Dad driving home a ‘56 Buick Special. Today, Zoomie has a four-car garage that can easily hold eight cars with lifts, and it has a sitting area where friends can come for car talk. The walls are adorned with many car memories and mementos, including a few of Broderick Crawford driving his 1956 Buick Special from the TV show Highway Patrol. The legacy of this car family is sealed and will continue for many generations.

DAVE AND CADANCE KELSO

Dave Kelso is a guy I compare to Steve McQueen. He’s the “King of Kool” and can often be found on a Harley Davidson motorcycle cruising the backroads of America. When he’s not on a bike, he’s behind the wheel of a 1970 mint green Dodge pickup truck — usually with a motorcycle in the bed of it. Dave recently made an appearance on Cruisin’ 92.1 FM where he talked about his love of classic cars, the people behind the hobby, and his family including his daughter Cadance (Cadie).

Dave is an accomplished Aston Township historian and probably best known for hosting the Sundance Saloon Car Show in Aston, Pa. He’s also hosted “Back the Blue” events in Aston and Lower Chichester.

Dave’s wife Lori and his daughter Cadie are always there with him working the registration table and helping to keep the many participants and spectators happy. From a very young age, Cadie has amassed a tremendous amount of knowledge when it comes to classic cars, the people who own them, and the events they attend.

In Dave’s own words: “Cadie and I have been attending car shows together since she was born. It was important to me that she learned about camaraderie, dedication and hard work. These are all attributes that make you successful in our hobby. She’s learned those things over the years and made many long-lasting personal connections…people that still remember her sitting in her car seat in our ‘61 Dodge. I’m proud to say she’s 18 years old now, graduating with honors, and attending West Chester University in the Fall.”

Men or women, boys or girls, it doesn’t matter. As Dave said, the hobby isn’t just about cars, it’s about the people who drive the cars…the people who spend money to attend events.…the people who buy parts and services. It’s about them. It’s about us.

Cruising Magazine will be featuring more car families throughout the year so be sure to pick up a copy. Until then, keep on cruising — from generation to generation.

Top: Young Cadie Kelso accepting her very first award for her dad, Dave Kelso (standing behind her). Below: Dave Kelso and Cadie today with his 1970 Dodge Camper Special.