Mark Salerno Jr. of Plum hopes to one day hand down the keys to his 1948 Harley Davidson panhead much like the fathers before him.
The motorcycle was acquired by Salerno’s great grandfather, Ernest Salerno Sr., in its model year.
He passed it on to his son, Ernest Salerno Jr., who then bequeathed it to Mark Salerno Sr. and down to its current rider in 2006.
“I just feel humbled about it, having something like this,” Salerno Jr. said. “Back in the 1970s these things were chopped up and used as parts. For it to last this long is pretty cool. We found a survivor.”
The blue two-wheeler still features a lot of the original parts including the seat, paint, carburetor and cloth-covered wiring.
“I’m the mechanic in the family, but it maintains itself,” Salerno Jr. said. “I just make sure I change the fluids and pull the battery out of it. Just take care of it like it’s an antique. Try to keep her preserved.”
His sons, Alex, 8, and Logan, 6, have expressed interest in it. Both still have some years to go before they can ride it.
Both boys said their second option would be a Lamborghini if they could not have a the bike.
The panhead was one of the few motorcycles in Verona’s 25th annual car cruise Saturday.
“It’s a real nice show,” Salerno Jr. said. “There’s definitely some stuff here that people keep tucked away in their garage and don’t bring out too often. It’s nice to see.”
East Railroad Avenue was closed off from Center Avenue to James Street to make space for the classics, hot rods, and modern muscle cars. There was at least one dragster, a Jeep, multiple Mustangs and a Honda coup about as small as a pedal bicycle.
The event was organized by Mayor Dave Ricupero and the Verona Chamber of Commerce.
He said about 150 cars were involved and at least 400 people walked through the streets. Both were record numbers.
“Everybody loved it,” Ricupero said. “We are noted for (having) one of the best car cruises in the valley. The weather (was great) and everybody just wanted to get out locally with the epidemic.”
The Hula Bar, Burgh Thai, Billy K’s Off the Rails Barbeque and Inner Groove Brewing were open during the event. Tom’s Candy was one of the vendors in Railroad Park.
About 50 of the vehicles rolled through Verona and Oakmont in a police-escorted parade from the intersection of James Street and Allegheny River Boulevard to the Hulton Bridge and back.
Jim Speck III’s 1937 Packard received a lot of attention. It has a custom purple and white paint job complete with bullet holes.
“It’s kind of a gangster-era car, so we put the bullet holes to reflect that era of time,” Speck said. The Plum resident purchased the car in 2012 and it has undergone some modifications to it over the years.
Speck, 61, said it was “street rodded” with a Chevy Camaro rear end, a Ford Mustang front end, a Buick Regal interior with a 1988 Oldsmobile steering column. It has power steering, power brakes and other modern luxuries.
“My dad got me into cars when I was younger,” Speck said. “He was a car enthusiast. He had a 1948 Lincoln Continental and a 1949 Buick convertible. So I always liked the early era cars … I just always gravitated to what I remembered as a child. This one caught my eye. It was unusual. It was a one-of-a-kind, so I decided to buy it.”
A U.S. Navy sticker is on the rear driver side window in memory of his father, Jim Speck Sr., a World War II and Korean War veteran.
Susan Higgins of Washington Township was among Speck’s onlookers. She and her grandfather, Larry Zdobinski of Plum, were looking for Cadillacs. It was their first time in Verona.
“I’m just impressed by all (of the cars) and how well everyone takes care of them,” Higgins said. “We just decided to go for a drive. He said he was looking for his Cadillac, and I said there’s a car cruise in Verona. We were at Slickville earlier today.”
Penn Hills Councilman John Petrucci shined up his cranberry red 1971 Chevelle SS.
He said it took about two years to fully restore the machine with 425 horsepower and a new body. Detailing and waxing was done about a week before the cruise.
“I’m feeling good,” Petrucci said. “It was a great turnout today. It seemed like there were more cars here than there were in the past. All these spots were filled. The weather was very cooperative.”
Verona resident Bryon Shane did not have a car in the cruise, but he did bring his 8-month-old Beagle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix named Gus.
“I usually bring my car but I came straight from work and didn’t have time to get it out,” he said. “This is the most participation I’ve seen in years. A lot of new ones, too. I love this. We don’t always get the best weather.”
The car cruise was one of many events commemorating the borough’s 150th anniversary.
Celebrations continue Sept. 18 in Railroad Park near the borough building and Sept. 19 at Cribbs Field along South Avenue and Second Street.
More information about Verona activities is available at veronaborough.org.
Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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