"Absolutely, it was a terrific success," said D&D Classic co-owner Roger James. "The weather wasn't ideal, but we had a nice turnout. We may have actually had more people than cars this year."

The Classic Cruise-In has developed from two desires: to showcase the outstanding craftsmanship that takes place at D&D Classic; and to raise funds to support the camping programs of the Miami Valley Council Boy Scouts of America, which includes making continual improvements to its camp facilities, as well as to help send disadvantaged Scouts to camp. Scouts benefiting from this event are from Darke, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby counties.

A significant number of car owners attended once again this year to show off their pride and joy, various classic cars restored to peak condition. D&D also unveiled its second edition Peking to Paris car, the 1936 Ford Coupe, which will take part in the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge in September. Also on display was D&D's original Peking to Paris car, the 1950 Ford Coupe, which made the historic journey in 2007.

"The first trip (in 2007) was the 100th anniversary (of the Peking to Paris trip)," said James, who took part in the trip along with friend Arthur Freeman of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. "We took the same route that was taken in 1907."

The 2010 journey will consist of a different route from China to Paris, which will run approximately 1400 miles through unimaginable terrain. The 1936 Ford Coupe will be the home for James and Freeman throughout the journey expected to take nearly a month to complete.

"This time we'll be taking the silk route," James explained. "We'll even go through Iran."

The featured car of this year's event was the 1956 Bandini Barchetta Racer, a treasure D&D Classic restored after being rescued from a less-than ideal storage shed in Vincennes, Indiana. Pre-restoration photos showcased the dire status of the Bandini - ravaged by time and rust - making the final restoration an amazing site.

"It's a beautiful car," James said. "It's got a wonderful history to it."

This specific car was ordered from Bandini in 1956 by New York cartoonist, the late Alex Raymond, the originator of the well-known Flash Gordon comic strip. The Crosley SOHC engine-powered Bandini Barchetta arrived from Italy and was immediately put into storage. Sadly after the order was placed, Raymond was killed in an automobile accident and never saw his Bandini, which was sold in his estate.

After several years and several different owners, the Bandini ended up in a broken down shed in the middle of the mid-west.

"It was actually in a shed in the woods with a tree growing through the middle of it, so you can only imagine how bad it was," said James. "The restoration was a complete undertaking, but the end result is something we are very proud of (at D&D Classic)."

Those who participated in the Cruise-In were charged a $10 per vehicle and 100% of the proceeds went towards the local Boys Scouts. A special donation was also made by the Dayton Corvair Club to the Cruise-In.

"This (the Cruise-In) is for a good cause," James concluded. "It's a chance for us to have a lot of fun doing something that benefits the Boy Scouts."

D&D Classic and the Miami Valley Council Boys Scouts of America would like to thank those who take part in this annual event and make the Annual Classic Cruise-In a success. For more information visit www.ddclassic.com.