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Every Wednesday night you’ll notice a gathering of classic cars in North Branch’s Central Park. The throaty hum of the vehicles, punctuated by an occasional tuneful vintage horn, is unmistakable...and the vehicles are tough to overlook too. The night the Press caught up with this group there were 11 vehicles of all colors, makes, models and conditions. From pre-war luxury roadsters to glossy, candy-colored trucks, the owners have one thing in common, they enjoy getting together with others who enjoy classic vehicles.

The official name of the “club” is Kruise Knights, although club is a little formal as a description.

There are no dues, certainly no attendance requirements, and no formal rules. There’s no officers really, except for members who pitch in and type up the summer’s schedule.

An original member, Pat Romano, explained that the group has been gathering for about four years. Word of the club is spread at places vintage vehicle owners frequent and friends bring friends. The underlying theme is to spend time once a week enjoying your special wheels with people who can appreciate them.. Plus, it’s nice to be traveling in a group should your vintage car decide to stall.

The members share car care and repair advice, share parts and in Romano’s case, share important moments of life. Romano surprised his fiance by presenting her with a classic Ford Mustang one Wednesday night and everybody was in on the plan.

The club likes to congregate briefly at Central Park between about 6 to 6:30 p.m. and then head out in a procession for a leisurely drive to a restaurant or once per month enjoy a nice spot for a pot luck. The next couple of destinations on the itinerary are July 6; they’ll dine at the Taylors Falls Drive-In and July 13 the club pot luck picnic will be at St. Croix Falls Lions Park on the river.

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