In the late 1960’s, Carl Nathans shared a common interest with fellow high school students: cars.

Many of his friends owned cars of interest, and Carl hoped to be able to own, specifically, a Corvette, one day.  Unfortunately, as an usher at a local movie theatre (making $1.00/hr), he was unable to buy his dream car. 

“Instead, I bought a ’64 Triumph, for $800,” says Carl. “Meaning, ‘I had to settle.’ I had to compromise.”

But after high school, when earning a little more money, Carl did eventually purchase a ’64 Corvette Stingray. And, up through his 20’s, he continued to drive special vehicles: a ’68 El Camino, a ’67 Camaro and two project cars— a ’30 Model A Ford hot rod and a ’62 Chevy Nova.

As he got a little older, Carl says that he took a hiatus from the car hobby to venture into the boating hobby.  But, a couple years ago, Carl dove back into car collecting, and he’s enjoying every minute of actively participating in this hobby.

“It’s good for people in their 50’s,” explains Carl.  “It’s a fun hobby. It’s relaxing. It’s no longer about racing, but instead, cruising. And there’s the fellowship and all that comes with it, too. It’s more of an adult hobby, now.”

Upon Carl’s decision to come back to specialty cars, he purchased a ’34 Ford Roadster (but has since purchased a '39 Ford). And, he set off to find car events in the Delaware County, Penna. area (outside of Philadelphia).

“But, I realized not enough events were happening, locally,” says Carl. “I decided to form a club.”

Carl says he used local newspapers Daily Times and Town Talk to advertise his desire to form a new car club.  The club would welcome all.

Carl says that he received great feedback and planned the club's first meeting to be held on January 28, 2007. 

He went to the Riddle Ale House, a local restaurant, and they agreed to let him bring a meeting into their restaurant.

January 28th came, and the meeting was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. 

“At 1:20 p.m., three people were there. With myself included, there were four,” says Carl. “But, by 1:29 p.m., the place was packed with over 100 people! It was so crowded that a waitress said she wasn’t sure she could handle the crowd.”

At that well-attended meeting, the club was coined the “Delco Cruisers,” Carl was elected into the position of president and a board was then formed. Membership has grown to 225, today, nearly one year later.

The club hosts monthly cruise-ins and participates in a growing list of car events throughout the year.

"We pride ourselves in taking part in community affairs, also," says Carl. "And, the club tries to always respond to requests from charities."

Some basic information about the club:

• They are an all inclusive car club, without restriction to year or make of vehicle.

• Their primary focus is to meet the needs of: hot rods, street rods, muscle cars, rat rods, customs, lead sleds, 50's and classics.

• They pride themselves in being a family-oriented car club.

• They seek worthy causes, which will allow them to do charitable work within the community.

• Their goal is to have a working relationship with neighboring car clubs and to promote inter-club shows and cruises.

For more information on the club, you can visit: www.delcocruisers.com.

"My goal as the founder of this club is to bring fun and happiness to those who are involved in this hobby," says Carl. "It's all about fun, enjoyment and fellowship."

Story by: Becky McLaughlin