Scoop brings classic cars, enthusiasts to Waukegan; ‘It breathes life into our downtown'

Chicago Tribune

a day ago

Viejitos Vicleros, a Waukegan-based car club founded in 2004, is more than a group of people who acquire, restore and drive American-made cars built in 1954 or before. Their vehicles were part of a long line of automobiles lining a block of Genesee Street during Scoop Waukegan over the weekend.
Tito Mandujano of Waukegan said Viejitos Vicleros' members turn one-time sedans and station wagons into lowriders. The exterior is well-painted, and many have artistic designs. They are equipped with hydraulics, enabling them to be close to the ground.
'It represents our culture, the Chicano culture. We're Mexican Americans, ' Vicleros said. 'They're all old cars, and they're all original. We're proud of our culture, and we want our kids to be proud.'
Mandujano and his family were among more than 25,000 people and over 900 cars participating in the annual Scoop Waukegan Friday and Saturday in the city's downtown. Visitors viewed the vehicles, as well as sampled food and drinks from the area's bars and street vendors.
Just as Viejitos Vicleros is more than a car club, Scoop is more than a classic car show. David Motley, the city's public relations director and one of the event's organizers, said it goes back years to a time when it was a weekend meeting place for young people.
'In one form or another, Scoop has been part of Waukegan since the '50s,' Motley said.
Jim Mulroney spans both worlds. There with his family, he was a participant over the weekend with his restored 1972 Chevrolet Malibu convertible. In his teenage years, he said the event represented something else to him.
One of many local young people in the 1950s and 1960s to participate in an earlier version of Scoop, Mulroney recalled arriving in downtown Waukegan with his 1956 Chevy Bel Air on a given Friday or Saturday night.
'Anybody who was anybody parked on the bridge,' Mulroney said, as he sat with his family on the span over the Waukegan River between Water and Lake Streets. 'We met with each other. We did a lot of shopping. I remember one girl driving a 1957 Thunderbird.'
Talking about the restored Malibu convertible, he said he enjoyed retuirning it from what was once a rather decrepit vehicle into the shiny, light blue car it is now. Unusual for this part of the county, it is also air conditioned.
'It was originally from Florida, and it had air conditioning,' Mulroney said. 'It was hot and humid there, and they needed it.'
One night in the 1960s, Gerry Cook was at the earlier version of Scoop. He was there with friends and his Corvette. A young lady was driving her Volkswagen Bug. She got in his car and they started talking.
'That was 54 years ago, and we've been together ever since,' Cook said of his wife.
Mayor Sam Cunningham said he was pleased to see a sizable crowd on Friday despite rainy weather. Saturday's crowd was a record. He called it a, 'rolling reunion and powerful driver of community spirit, economic vitality and local pride.'
'It breathes life into our downtown, bringing thousands of visitors who support small businesses, discover local gems and experience the vibrant and creative energy of Waukegan,' Cunningham said. 'Events like Scoop strengthen our sense of togetherness (and) create lasting memories.'
Mandujano was there with his wife, three children — including a baby — club members and his 1953 Chevrolet Handyman station wagon. It is more than a restored vehicle for him. It functions like a modern SUV.
'It's a great second car to have with a family when we're going to a soccer or baseball game,' Mandujano said. 'That's when we need a station wagon.'
Fabio Carona was another lowrider. He was sitting with other car owners on County Street with his vehicle, which was tilted with the driver's side being several feet higher than the passenger seat. It is done with hydraulics.
'I tilt it and drive it,' Carona said. 'I don't drive it too far this way.'
Along with the unique tilt, the sides of Carona's car were painted with a variety of images telling a story. Jay Stephen, one of the marshals at Scoop, likened the exterior to artwork.
'It's like a mural,' Stephen said, 'It's a work of art.'
The restaurants of downtown Waukegan were part of the event, too. Outside Greentown Tavern, a cook was barbequing hot dogs and brats, while people spent a few dollars throwing three balls at a button to drop a volunteer into a dunk tank.
Jordan French, Greentown's owner, said the dunk tank was there to add something extra to the day's festivities. People spent $5 on three balls. When one smaller youngster missed three tries, he was allowed to push the button.
Toward the end of both days' activities, there is an 'open Scoop.' Motley said people with classic and custom cars get a pass to drive or 'scoop a loop' circling on Genesee, Clayton, County and Lake streets.