Roscoe

Sophia's Cruise Night 2022: beautiful cars and dinner

Sophia's Restaurant in Roscoe hosts a monthly event in which attendees get to display their prized vehicles.

Alexander Tsimonidis

Jul 8, 2022 — 2 min read

Sophia's Restaurant in Roscoe hosts a monthly event in which attendees have the opportunity to display their prized automobiles, the first Thursday of the month from May to September.

Presented and announced by DJ Joe Locke, the entertainer has seen the event take place "at Sophia's for about 13 years now," and over the years has amassed a "really good following of the people."

Sophia's Restaurant welcomes the monthly event with open arms.

"We love to have it here and we love seeing the joy it brings people to enjoy these beautiful cars and our food," commented the staff of the restaurant.

With roots beginning in 1959, the Gentlemen's Car Club was started by automobile enthusiasts of the time but was brought to a startling halt just 5 years later in 1964 by the pending war. Rebooted in 2009 by Tim Bauscher and his brother, an original member in the late 50's, the Gentlemen's Car Club brought their passion to Sophia's.

Bauscher owns a 1956 Ford Customline with a 2005 Lincoln 4.6 liter engine and transmission tastefully dropped into it, along with basic quality of life improvements like A/C.

The Gentlemen's Car Club has averaged over $10,000 in donations for VetsRoll every year.

Harry Brady, an attendee of the event since its beginning in 2009 and member of the Black Sheep Coffee Club, has owned a 1937 Nash Lafayette for 15 years.

Brady is also involved in the Rock River Valley Chapter Studebaker Drivers Club.

The Black Sheep Coffee Club sponsors the event at Sophia's.

"The best thing about old cars is the people that drive them," added Roger, a fellow member of The Black Sheep Coffee Club and the Rock River Valley Chapter Studebaker Drivers Club.

One of the people that drive an old car at the event was Steve Jacob. Jacob owns a 1965 C2 Corvette Stingray with added power steering, aftermarket side exhaust piping as well as new mag rims.

"It was my retirement present from me, to me."

The Sophia's cruise night isn't just restricted to vintage automobiles, however. Zach Matson, the owner of a heavily modded 2007 Chevy Avalanche, was in attendance and sharing the love for cars through his truck.

Along with multiple other owners, Matson created a small display to let viewers passing by know exactly what was done to his vehicle over the ownership period.

"Nothing is really stock at this point."