22nd Annual Cruisin' the Coast, Sept 30- Oct 7, 2018

[SJF1948]

As a fairly new member to the group, I would be interested in seeing how many Buick owners are planning on attending this week long event. It would be nice to see something other than Tri-5's, Mustang's, Camaro's, Malibu's, etc. Out of approximately 8,000 registered vehicles last year, I saw maybe 10 Buicks!!!!

I plan on having my '53 Super ready to cruise and attending as a Participant instead of a Spectator. 

[JohnD1956]

Which coast?

[SJF1948]

Mississippi Gulf Coast, 10 venues, from Bay St. Louis to Pascagoula.

https://cruisinthecoast.com/

 

[ssmock]

I have signed up.  This cruise is on my bucket list of things to do.  Have already registered.  Coming from Kansas City, we will be staying at Hollywood Casino in Bay St Louis Monday thru Sunday.  Going to trailer the Buick there as its more comfortable driving my Expedition tow vehicle.  Where are you coming from? 

[SJF1948]

I'm originally from Biloxi, but I now live in Baton Rouge, taking the scenic route is about a 2 1/2 hour drive. My Sister-In-Law has a home on Front Beach in Ocean Springs, so that's where I'll be staying. This will be my first CTC as a participant, and I'm looking forward to meeting and cruisin' with other Buick owners. Hope to see ya there!

[ssmock]

Circling back on your post.  It doesn't look like there has been many comments.  I am sure some Buicks will be there with 7,000 or 8,000 cars attending.  Pretty big commitment with a week's stay in a hotel and because of the popularity of the cruise the prices are out of sight.  My other bucket list for the Buick is Hot August Nights in Reno.  Held every year the first week of August.  Been there a number of times but without the car.  That is also a week long event.  Now I'm looking for a trailer so I can do all of this, a lot trailers out there.  I'm just too picky and cheap I guess.  Hope to meet you there!

[SJF1948]

Yeah you're right, it can be a very expensive week for sure. The trick (for future Cruisin's) is to book early and shop around. The closer you get to Biloxi, the higher it gets. That being said, there are a number of Hotels/Motels that are away from the Beach that are pretty reasonable. A friend of mine booked the Margaritaville in Biloxi two years ago....$250.00/night, stayed one night, called around and got a room for the remainder of the Cruise at the Palace Casino for $125.00/night. Not bad for a quick booking! The deals are there, just have to shop around. The Bay St. Louis area is kind of laid back....small town atmosphere, even for the Casinos. My favorite venue is Ocean Springs, hands down. We'll have to get together for some shrimp po-boys, oyster po-boys, seafood gumbo, etc. 

[ssmock]

SJF1048,  It's been awhile since I checked back here on the original post.  I'm leaving Kansas City for the coast this Saturday going to take a couple of days getting there.  Maybe we can hook up in Ocean Springs or one of the other venues there.  My first time attending so will have to find out what all goes on.  I heard on the website there were over 8,000 cars but information is kind of sketchy.

We will see.  Diffidently  down for the Gumbo and Po Boys! I'll be on the lookout for you and maybe another Buick or two.

      

[Pete Phillips]

Steve,

Have a good trip! Take photos of any other Buicks you see, and maybe we should do a Bugle article on this event. Have heard about it for years but never attended because it usually conflicts with the Hershey, PA. swap meet and it's tough to be away from work for 6 or 7 days.

Pete Phillips, BCA #7338

Leonard, TX

[SJF1948]

ssmock, Sorry for the late update, I will be at CTC 2018, unfortunately the '53 will not make the trip, still working on the engine rebuild. However, we can still hook up somewhere along the Coast and grab a poboy. Most of the week is up in the air, but I will be at the Swap Meet on Thursday, and in Ocean Springs on Friday for sure. Email me at sjfountain3@att.net, I'll still be looking for the Buicks that will be there. Have a safe trip, see ya there.

[ssmock]

Ok, thanks for getting back.  Sorry the 53 in not making it.  So Friday is the day to go to Ocean Springs show?  How early does one have to get there in order to get a good parking space?  I have a feeling I will be lost most of the time but that’s the fun of driving a classic car.  My email is stephensmock@hotmail.com.  Caravan of classics going south on 55 out of Memphis.  Pretty cool a bunch traveling together.  See you down there.  You know what my Buick looks like.  Most likely will be the only 64 Special Convertible,  thanks

[ssmock]

Update Cruisin the Coast.  Not many Buick's here although there are some, most I have seen were modified or customized in some way.  Very few original Buicks.    I've not seen any 64 or 65's Skylarks, Specials or any 65 GS's.  There was a C&C post of a White 65 Skylark but I have not seen it yet.  Over 8,300 plus registered cars here and I'm trying to make all of the venues and at least cruise through them.  First time attending so finding my way around and picking the right time/ day to attend some of these .  Went to Ocean Springs Fri and that is quite a show venue, very nice area, old town with large shade trees, shops and restaurants.  Very well organized for a group this size, the organizers have this down pretty well.  There are some lines and it can take awhile to get into some of the venues and highway gets backed up with bumper to bumper traffic in places but again over 8,000 registered cars!  If the Buick gets too hot (only happened once) I just pull over under a shade tree and watch the cars go by.  Going to the auction and swap meet today and check that out.     

[SJF1948]

I spent Thursday picking up my registration pack, 10 minutes to actually walk up to the desk, get the pack and be on my way. Then off to the Swap Meet. I have two comments, too many non-auto related vendors (hair ribbons, phone cases, trinkets, etc. But I guess that helps pay the bills) and there didn't seem to be as many true swap meet type vendors as I've seen in years past. 

Friday was spent in Ocean Springs and as usual I was not disappointed. This is always a great venue with three main streets dedicated to cruiser parking. Great food, great cruising circuit as well. I did see more Buicks this year, the majority being later years and models. Seemed to be a lot of Rivieras '65 and newer with a scattering of Gran Nationals, Specials, and an Electra here and there. I did see a few older Specials and Roadmasters. My favorite was an original '52 Super. I was unable to locate the owner but it had Florida Plates. See attached photos.

But all things must come to an end, had to leave with enough time to turn in my 2019 Registration Form and get back to BR to finish packing for our Cruise out of New Orleans in the morning.

[SJF1948]

[ssmock]

SJF1948, We were at Crushing the Coast all week and I was in Ocean Springs on Fri as well.  Found a parking spot on the gas station lot, ate lunch on their patio and stayed for an hour or so.  Actually, made all of the event cruise's.  Overwhelming number of cars there, over 8,300 registered and was told many more than that with the unregistered cars showing up.  Wherever we went you always could see a classic or hot rod or something.  Not many Buicks to be found anywhere and I think mine was the only 64 A-Body Convertible there.  I spent most of my time driving so not many pictures.  We saw many 60' stoplight drag races there, I lost twice!! This cruise was on my "Bucket List" of things to do and very glad I attended, quite the party.  I'll post some pictures once I get them out of my phone.  Next year thinking about going to Hot August Nights in Reno.  Been wanting to do that one as well, been there many times but without the Buick. We have friends who live there in Sparks so while twice the distance for us from Kansas City, the hotel expense would be a savings.  By the way, I had my fair share of shrimp and oyster po'boy sandwiches and gumbo there.