What’s prettier than a parade of collector cars cruising down the road? The same parade of cars cruising down the cobblestones of River Street in the historic seaside town of Savannah, Georgia. If you’re lucky enough to see that sight, you can bet your bottom dollar it’s the Dixieland Cruisers.

Their name comes from the old Dixieland drive-in movie theater, a favorite haunt of Savannah teens back in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Though the drive-in is now closed, these hobbyists are working hard to keep nostalgia alive. They meet monthly for cruise-ins at the Sonic drive-in restaurant, Lovezolla’s (their favorite pizza place) or Hal’s World Famous Garage. The Cruisers’ love of cars is infectious. With the annual car show, monthly meetings and cruise-ins, sometimes for these car nuts, it’s not enough.

"In the summer, we just get the cars and have an impromptu cruise, sometimes up to Tybee Island," says George Padgett, the Cruisers’ webmaster and admitted car nut (back in high school, George was known as the guy most likely to land a car on the moon).

The Dixieland Cruisers are a tight-knit group who take care of their own. Recently, they lost Hal Burnsed of Hal’s World Famous Garage (see photo of Hal behind his unusual Cadillac desk). The Cruisers replaced the standard funeral procession with a more colorful cruise of classic cars. Hal would have been proud.

"Hal was our cruise director," says member Sheila Broussard. "We’d go to Hal’s garage for an impromptu party. You could park 60 cars there. Hal would say, at the last minute, ‘I’m having a barbecue, pass the word - and bring the cars.’"

The Dixieland Cruisers 18th annual car show, held April 22, was the first one without Hal. Ironically, the car show’s dash plaque and T-shirt (both designed weeks before Hal’s death) feature Hal’s garage in the design. Though not planned, it was a fitting way to honor their friend, and to make sure he was there in spirit.

Though no one could replace Hal, the group continues with their love of the hobby and their important work. The group raises a considerable amount of money for several local charities. Organizing these events is a lot of work but, as Shelia says, "We make everything fun. We’ve met the most wonderful people through this club, people we would have never met otherwise. We’ve become great friends."

Says member Tom Scattaregia, "What keeps us going strong is the camaraderie. It’s like a family."