The 2017 Eastern meet in Hiawassee Georgia was a
huge success and I would like to thank all the members
and their families who attended and helped to make this
meet a success. The 2017 Eastern Meet was held in
conjunction with the annual “Moonshine Cruise”. We
convoyed to the meet with my grandpa and his 71
Monte and met Jim Helms, from Lincolnton, North
Carolina, and his new to him 72 Monte Carlo.
This Eastern meet had a lot of first-time meet attendees
and a lot of new members that signed up at the event. I
would say two thirds of the cars, and members, in attendance
had never been to an Eastern Meet.
We arrived Thursday afternoon and were greeted by Jim
and Linda Seyboult, who had arrived Wednesday, having
driven their car on a Scenic curvy mountain road
that is popular among motorcyclist in the area. They
were our long-distance drivers and had driven over 400
miles from Palm Coast, Florida. I was also highly relieved
to see Jim Crockett and his 70 Monte Carlo sitting
in the hotel parking lot as he had been trying to
make an Eastern meet “with his car” for at least four or
five years, due to dealing with dishonest and troublesome
body shop situations.
The “Moonshine Cruise” is in a beautiful mountain setting
inside the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. This was
the second time the First Generation Monte Carlo Club
has attended this show, the first time in 2012 when Dennis
Gage was a special guest. There is no hassle or pressure
of judging in this car show, it's only a Cruise-In and
instead of giving awards the show staff gives away cash
and prizes. I believe we had one member win one of
these Cash Awards. The most difficult things to do with
the club is the member voting, because there are so
many nice and unique Monte Carlos to choose from.
Friday night I had a trivia game that went over very well
with the members and we all had a great time. The
game was interrupted by a lady telling us how much she
appreciated us having our cars there. They had just lost
a family member, days before, and you could tell it had
really hit them hard because the person they had lost
was a car enthusiast and had died suddenly of a heart
attack.
Saturday night we had our awards dinner at “Daniel's
Steakhouse”, a local buffet restaurant next the hotel. It
is a very reasonably priced place with good food and an
all you can eat buffet. It wasn't until I spread all of the
door prizes out that I realized how much stuff had been
donated. Every member went home with multiple door
prizes. I would like to thank all of the donors who gave
to our Eastern meet this year.
This was the 10th eastern meet that I have attended over
the last 12 years. They go by so fast!! Spending time
and talking with the members and their family members
makes attending these Eastern Meets so enjoyable. Seeing
so many First Generation Monte Carlos one place is
always great.
Sunday morning we headed home, which meant another
Eastern Meet had come to a close. Once again, thanks
to all the members, and their families, who attended this
meet, thanks to everyone who stepped up to assist me
and helped to make it a success. I hope to see everyone
of you again at future Eastern Meets. FGMCC EASTERN MEET AWARD WINNERS
Longest Distance Driven: Jim and Linda Seyboult Best Paint:
Alexis Richey Best Interior: Jim and Linda Seyboult Best
Chrome: Manual Prince Best Engine: Johnny Miller Best
Modified: Joseph Toretto Best Non-Restored: Jim Helms Best
Stock: Kevin Wiles Best Street: Ray Bader Hard Luck: Jim
Crockett Members Choice: Jim Brady Meet Directors Choice:
Randall Collins |