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David Johnson and his grandson, almost 4-year-old Connor, are proud to show off Johnson’s 1967 Ford Fairlane during Andrews Cruise Night for the Kids on Saturday night. Johnson said the car will be Connor’s one day.
Andrews – For the last 12 years, David Johnson has worked off and on the 1967 Ford Fairlane he purchased from a friend.
He has done a full restoration of the car, including adding a 521 stroker to the base 427 motor, and it has paid off. The car has won a total of 16 trophies over the years, including Mayor’s Choice at the last Andrews Cruise Night for the Kids.
“It means a whole lot,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s car will be one of the many cars on display at Saturday’s Andrews Cruise Night for the Kids. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the former Food Lion parking lot.
Johnson has been showing his car at the event for three years now.
“I just enjoy meeting people, getting out, and participating in stuff,” he said. “You’d be missing a good time if you don’t get here.”
Johnson said he likes all cars, and especially likes his Fairlane because there aren’t many seen nowadays. The car was purchased new in Knoxville in 1967, then spent time in Tellico Plains and McCaysville, Ga., before Johnson purchased it and started restoring it at his home in Morganton, Ga. The car is showing 94,000 miles, and Johnson estimates that he’s put about 7,000 on it.
He enjoys seeing other cars at shows. There’s a Ford Maverick he looks forward to seeing in Andrews. “I always like the little cars,” Johnson said. “I like all the cars, but there’s something about that little car.”
When not at car shows, he drives his classic car as he runs errands. Johnson said people often gather around his car, and he’s even had people strike up a conversation with him about a Fairlane they once owned.
The Fairlane isn’t the only car he has refurbished. He has been working on cars since he was a teenager, and has restored about 15 in his lifetime. The Fairlane is one of three cars he has today – the others are 1956 Fords.
“It’s something I like to fiddle with,” Johnson said. “It’s a hobby.”
Susie Bryant, one of the event organizers, said they hope to have about 200 cars at Saturday’s event. There will also be concessions and music throughout the day, plus burnouts at night.
All funds raised go toward helping kids in the community, mostly through the group’s annual Christmas party, which will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, in the Andrews Community Center this year. At the party, the group provides a hot dog meal for both kids and parents, two goody bags for each child, a choice of a toy from the toy table, and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
“These kids in our community need our help, and that’s our main goal, to help kids in need,” Bryant said.
The group also assists local children and their families as needed throughout the year, such as helping two Andrews youth baseball teams go to the Dizzy Dean World Series this summer.