CHROME & CAFFEINE

C’ville: Antique Car Gathering Destination?  

Crawfordsville, Indiana. People visiting or driving around Crawfordsville on the last Sunday of the month in the warmer months will encounter the usual bustle of 231’s traffic, and the currently under construction courthouse. A block south of that, a rather new gathering of people has taken over Pike Place and become a regular fixture in Crawfordsville: antique car enthusiasts.  

“We’re not a car show; we’re local enthusiasts who like to meet up once a month,” said event organizer Randy Caldwell. “We don’t hand out prizes, but we do have donuts and a cup of coffee on a Sunday.”

As he walked by, he pointed out his 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood.  

The idea for this, he said, was that he wanted to organize a local cruise in because for years he’d been visiting a lot of the car shows and cruise ins in Indianapolis and he’d been discouraged by the number of more modern cars that were being shown at these events. When asked what modern was, he stated anything 2000 or newer. “If you want to do an antique car show, you should have antique cars.” 

Thus began Chrome and Caffeine. It started by word of mouth and eventually evolved to social media. If you post it, they will come.  

Mr. Caldwell’s Sunday gatherings also include making coffee and donuts available to owners and visitors alike. While free, donations are accepted to help cover the costs.  

When asked about future plans, Caldwell said there will be one more Pike Place Cruise In on Oct. 26, which will be a trunk or treat from 4 to 8 p.m. 

In speaking with Randy, it was clear that he has a passion that goes past his 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood. He senses a real need for this in the local antique car community. “We’re small, but mighty. We’re like a stick of dynamite.”