Sutherland: Old School Hot Rodders of VA Spring Cruise In and Swap Meet, gallery, video

Kristi K. Higgins, The Progress-Index
Updated ·5 min read

Here's a corny car joke for you. What kind of vehicle does an egg drive? The answer will crack you up: A Yolks-wagen.

In May, I made my way to Sutherland to check out the Old School Hot Rodders of Virginia Spring Cruise In and Swap Meet. Every now and then, I enjoy admiring car enthusiasts' beauties.

It was held on the grounds of Sutherland's Tavern, one of the oldest homes in Dinwiddie County. Owners Darrell and Michelle Olgers both love hosting community events. In 1903, Darrell's great-grandfather John Benjamin Olgers purchased the home built in 1803.

“We’re lucky enough to own this piece of history, and we feel it’s only right to share it with the public,” Michelle said.

Recently, a few people have corrected me on how I say Olgers. According to Michelle, I am correct. It is pronounced just like Folgers coffee, minus the "F."

A 1938 Chevrolet gasser-style pickup owned by Rick and Terri Osburn of Appomattox at Old School Hot Rodders of Virginia Spring Cruise In in Sutherland on May 6, 2023.
A 1938 Chevrolet gasser-style pickup owned by Rick and Terri Osburn of Appomattox at Old School Hot Rodders of Virginia Spring Cruise In in Sutherland on May 6, 2023.

Sutherland's Tavern: Spring cruise in, swap meet

Over 250 vehicles dating back to the 1920s rolled up to U.S. 460 and Namozine Rd. They parked all around Sutherland's Tavern and in front of and across the street from Olgers Store Museum.

"One of the the most popular vehicles was a 1938 Chevy gasser-style pickup owned by Rick and Terri Osburn of Appomattox," Darrell said. "The rarest was Stanley and Sandy Davoy's red 1969 Dodge Super Bee Coupe with a legendary 426 Hemi four-speed engine. It's one of 38 produced."

A 1969 Dodge Super Bee Coupe, one of 38 produced with a 426 Hemi engine and four-speed transmission, parked in front of Olgers Store Museum in Sutherland in May 2023. The Super Track Pack car with Dana 60 axle with 4:10 gear was the most rare vehicle at the Old School Hot Rodders of Virginia Spring Cruise In.
A 1969 Dodge Super Bee Coupe, one of 38 produced with a 426 Hemi engine and four-speed transmission, parked in front of Olgers Store Museum in Sutherland in May 2023. The Super Track Pack car with Dana 60 axle with 4:10 gear was the most rare vehicle at the Old School Hot Rodders of Virginia Spring Cruise In.

I really could care less about who manufactures a car or it's deets, but I do appreciate the work, time and money owners put into preserving them. I snapped a variety of pics while I listened to the Sugar Daddies perform on the Tavern porch.

Ron Gelster of Chesterfield let two-year-old Keith Bresko pick out a Hot Wheels toy at Old School Hot Rodders of Virginia Spring Cruise In in Sutherland on May 6, 2023.
Ron Gelster of Chesterfield let two-year-old Keith Bresko pick out a Hot Wheels toy at Old School Hot Rodders of Virginia Spring Cruise In in Sutherland on May 6, 2023.

As I admired Ron Gelster's yellow 1964 Chevelle, I observed him give away packaged Hot Wheels to young children as they walked by. It made two-year-old Keith Bresko's day. He peeked in the bag and excitedly picked one out.

"Who’s going to carry this on after all the old farts are gone," Gelster of Chesterfield quipped. He hopes to foster a new generation of car fans.

Old School Hot Rodders of Virginia Spring Swap Meet in Sutherland on May 6, 2023.
Old School Hot Rodders of Virginia Spring Swap Meet in Sutherland on May 6, 2023.

Spectators came from other states. At the swap meet, I met Charleston, S.C. royalty Alfred Haynes and Kia Ford who wore matching black t-shirts, his said King and hers Queen. They are no strangers to car cruise ins and shows. Majorly snap-happy, Haynes posted on Facebook over 100 images he captured in Sutherland of cars, trucks, engines and interiors.

The Social Butterfly columnist Kristi K. Higgins gets her palm read by former Progress-Index columnist Jimmy Olgers on the Olgers Store Museum porch in Sutherland on May 6, 2023.
The Social Butterfly columnist Kristi K. Higgins gets her palm read by former Progress-Index columnist Jimmy Olgers on the Olgers Store Museum porch in Sutherland on May 6, 2023.

Olgers Store Museum: James C. "Jimmy" Olgers II

I finally met Darrell's father Jimmy. For 30 years, the well-known country storyteller shared his gift of humor, storytelling and history with Progress-Index readers. Patricia "Pat" Sharpf, who retired after three decades with the Progress-Index, is a huge fan of Jimmy's.

"He's walked through this life making people feel noticed, needed, appreciated and I believe we are all a little richer for knowing this unique and kind individual," Sharpf wrote in her gratitude article.

Old School Hot Rodders of Virginia Spring Cruise In in Sutherland on May 6, 2023.
Old School Hot Rodders of Virginia Spring Cruise In in Sutherland on May 6, 2023.

"My dad had not slept hardly for weeks in anticipation of seeing many old friends and making new ones from his perch on the Olgers Store front porch," Darrell said.

"Lord have mercy. It was the highlight of my year seeing everyone," Jimmy said.

The store which is slowly being furnished with old stock as it would have looked in the 1950s - 60s was open for tours. Jimmy aka the mayor of Sutherland read my palm. He has been a palmist for around 20 years.

Jimmy, who grew up in the back of the store, told me to take my glasses off so he could look directly into my eyes. According to my palm, I'm a good woman from good stock, 2028 will be the best year of my life, my lucky month is May, I'll travel out west soon, my lucky number is 604 and other fun stuff. Oh, and apparently I broke a man's heart whose name begins with a "C" or an "R".

On the grounds of Michelle Olgers's Sutherland's Tavern, she strikes a pose with Suzy Speed, Old School Hot Rodders of Virginia ambassador, at the spring cruise in on May 6, 2023.
On the grounds of Michelle Olgers's Sutherland's Tavern, she strikes a pose with Suzy Speed, Old School Hot Rodders of Virginia ambassador, at the spring cruise in on May 6, 2023.

Dinwiddie County: Fall cruise in, swap meet

"I wanted to give a shout-out to Darrell Olgers for putting on another FANTASTIC show at his place in Sutherland. Hands-down my favorite show to go to here in Virginia. If you live in Virginia and haven’t been to it, you are missing out," Davoy posted on Facebook. "I could attach 100 photos, but I will just say this... if you like real muscle cars, hot rods and four-speeds, this is the place."

Davoy of Poquoson, Va. gladly drives the 200-mile round trip journey to Sutherland. He posted, "The 426 Hemi loves the trip. See you in the fall, Darrell."

Why'd the chicken cross the road? To go to the Old School Hot Rodders of Virginia Spring Cruise In and Swap Meet in Sutherland, of course.
Why'd the chicken cross the road? To go to the Old School Hot Rodders of Virginia Spring Cruise In and Swap Meet in Sutherland, of course.

Darrell's fall cruise in and swap meet is Saturday, October 28 at 19621 Namozine Rd. in Sutherland. The rain date is the following day. For more information, send a request to join the Old School Hot Rodders of Virginia Facebook group or reach out to him via Facebook Messenger. Read this story at Progress-Index.com to view a video and 60-image gallery.

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— Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly, an award-winning columnist, is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on Twitter @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Sutherland: Old School Hot Rodders of VA Cruise In, gallery, video