The guttural churning of over 700 vintage Buick, Chevrolet, Corvette, Ford and Pontiac vehicles resounded on Middletown’s Main Street this past Sunday. Parked on the knoll across from the First United Methodist Church, extending in two single-file lines down Main Street and occupying every parking spot along the sides, these cars represented generations of the American auto industry.

The event was part of Middletown’s annual Oktoberfest, a Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event featuring a car cruise and sock-hop, among other activities.

Hundreds of extravagantly designed and colored cars were displayed—a jet black Camero with sleek curves along its sides, hood raised to reveal the platinum complexity of its engine; an oversized Oldsmobile with hubcap covers nearly concealing its tires and a scintillating blend of citrus yellow and green paint; a 1980s De Lorean with gull-wing doors.

Multicolored muscle cars, speedsters with tires extended from their frames and engines exposed above their hoods, Thunderbirds, Mustangs, Trans AMs, Model Ts and Impalas were also waxed to a shimmering glean.

The Middletown Chamber of Commerce sponsored the day by blocking off roads, hiring event staff and information personnel, and scheduling different food vendors. The spirit of the cruise, however, emanated from the Over the Hill Gang, a national club of hot rod aficionados who spread the word about the event, organized the parking and provided the nucleus of impressive cars that gradually branched out as the day wore on.

“You certainly see a lot of different cars, that’s for sure,” said Graham Jones, a founding member of the club, who had been setting up since early in the morning. “[The club has] been across the country with our cars and we do events like this every so often. Today’s turn out has been way more than we expected. It’s great.”

According to Jones, the Gang was founded in 1995 in Connecticut and now has chapters throughout New England. A rectangular tent at the cruise show marked home base for the Gang, who all sported matching red and black starter jackets emblazoned with their slogan, “You Don’t Have To Be Over The Hill To Join The Gang.”

Most of the Gang seemed to be over the hill which, combined with the cars and the doo-wop music echoing from the PA system, gave Main Street the feel and appearance of a 1950s malt shop drag.

Hoards of spectators and car enthusiasts joined the Gang in their celebration of vintage autos. Most of the cars on display belonged to unaffiliated owners who frequent similar events. Families lined Main Street in lawn chairs or perused the never-ending lines of cars, in awe of what they saw. The highlight of the cruise was a competition among every vehicle present, judged by the Gang.

“Our only requirement is that the cars are at least 25 years old, though we do have a special interest car section for newer ones this year,” Jones said. “Our club judges on our discretion and we give out trophies, no money, just trophies.”

Other highlights of the Oktoberfest included the Newtown Lions Club raffling off a maroon Camero convertible and WESU featuring a DJ and a local teen dance group.

The event, relatively unknown to University students, allowed a casual coming together of car experts, enthusiasts and curious passersby in recognition of the history of a popular and ever-evolving industry.

One couple shared an exchange that summed up the day.

“Its just a sea of cars,” said the man.

“So?” said the woman. “That what it’s all about.”