In Aug. 9 issue, Russell County News
By Ron Cowell, Columnist

This week we take a look at a couple that are not only married but both are car crazy. Ronnie & Judy Wilson have been members of The "OUTSIDERS" Car club ever since the club began.  Judy serves on the Planning Committee and is very active in the club planning trips and cruises.

Ronnie & Judy met back in 1963. At that time Ronnie was driving a very clean and sharp, black 1957 Oldsmobile 88 Rocket. Seems to me there have been several songs written about a car like that! Judy was driving a Nash Rambler that was painted green and all her friend named the car Lima Bean.  So even back then the couple loved cars.

Judy said her and her friends would pool their money to get enough gas cruise the Park More Drive In Restaurant in Dayton, Ohio where she met Ronnie and they went on their first date. A year later they were married.

Both Judy's Father and Ronnie both worked for General motors so they are both fans of GM Vehicles.

Over the years the couple have bought several classic cars. After they were married they bought a 1950 Ford similar to the one Ronnie drove when he was a teenager. At that time they still lived in Dayton, Ohio. Through the years they have owned a 1966 Ford Mustang and a 1962 Pontiac Catalina Convertible.

One of the vehicles they had was a sharp 1968 Chevy Impala. This car was complete with fender skirts. Judy said she was not real happy about the skirts and didn't like them on the car but the rest of the car was really nice.

At one point the couple even bought a motor cycle, but that craze didn't last too long.

Then in 1974 they purchased the Flatwoods Farm and moved to Kentucky. They bought a pontoon boat and spent a lot of time on Lake Cumberland but after a while that just didn't satisfy them either so they sold the boat and got back to their real love, Classic Cars..

Ronnie ran across a 1957 Harbor Blue, 283 Power pack, Chevy Belair in Campbellsville Kentucky that they still drive today. The "57" is all original and was completely restored in Indiana.

Then in 2004 Ronnie surprised Judy with a 1986 Corvette for her birthday.  He found the car for her while the couple was attending the Spring Cruise In at Pigeon Forge. It's a beautiful car. You can't miss it coming down the street. It's a beautiful color called Raspberry Ice.

Then in 2005 Ronnie made another trip to Pigeon Forge and came home with another purchase. He had found a 1982 Chevy Scottsdale pickup truck that had been restored.

The truck was redone red with a bed cover and very tastefully done with chrome. You may have seen this truck cruising around town also. If you have, you will never forget it.

Last fall at the Renfro Valley Car Show they won a plaque with the truck. Both the Corvette and the Scottsdale were originally from Georgia.

The couple are truly car enthusiasts and like to spend their off time attending Cruise Ins and Car Shows. Every year they attend the Pigeon Forge event and the Corvette Expo that is held in Knoxville TN.

They have traveled to Las Vegas to see some of the old cars that were owned by Elvis and Tom Jones and many other celebrities.

Ronnie & Judy both have said they enjoy being a part of the OUTSIDERS and working with the club. They appreciate the fact that if anyone needs help in the club the members are always willing to pitch in and lend a helping hand. AND on the other hand I can speak for the rest of the club and say we are proud and happy to have Ronnie & Judy in the club.

Right now the couple says they have no plans for buying any more vehicles,,,, but then again,,, you never know, they are always looking.

If your Car Club is having an event and you would like us to tell everyone about it send all information to djron47@yahoo.com . All information on upcoming events needs to be in at least two weeks before the event.

If your Club or church or group is having an event and you would like to display some classic cars at that event let me know at least two weeks before the event. I will put you in contact with one of the clubs that will gladly bring their cars out for display.

Until next time, Keep Crusin !