March 29, 2024

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Real Wheels: Elida’s Elvis rides a Harley

Real Wheels: Elida’s Elvis rides a Harley

ELIDA – Really don’t consider it is time to see an eye medical doctor if you think you just observed Elvis Presley driving a 2003 Harley-Davidson Highway King or driving a 2005 Corvette on the streets of Allen County.

You just came throughout Richie Crouse of Elida.

Crouse is an Elvis Presley impersonator who enjoys warm cars and trucks and excellent music. He’ll be supplying the enjoyment at lots of automobile exhibits this summer season, where by he will remind people there is “No Place To Rhumba in A Sports activities Motor vehicle.”

Crouse has been singin’ and dancin’ to the Jailhouse Rock for extra several years than he can keep in mind. He couldn’t aid falling in enjoy with Presley’s audio or his blue suede sneakers. It left Crouse all shook up.

“My sister Cheryl designed an Elvis costume for me for Halloween 1 12 months. It kind of grew from there,” he mentioned.

His adore for automobiles and bikes goes again to his teen years at Perry High University, the place he graduated in 1974.

Crouse acquired his Harley from longtime friend Kelley Lesk, who acquired it new. It is element of a specific edition introduced to celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary. Only 6,500 Highway Kings ended up designed, in accordance to Crouse.

“It’s practically 20 many years old and has only 5,500 miles on it. Elvis rides in fashion,” explained Crouse.

The Road King has a happy history. The contemporary Street King is a highly refined touring equipment that evolved from the big frame bikes that hogged the American roads in the 1940s. As the motor business produced more substantial engines, designers created specialized frames for track racing, off-street racing, climbing and hauling.

As for his 2005 Corvette, it replaces a 1965 Dodge Coronet that Crouse at the time owned. The 2005 ‘vette is the sixth technology of one particular of America’s most loved sports cars and trucks.

“It’s immaculate,” Crouse notes, “a fitting motor vehicle for Elvis.”

Equally autos are housed in a garage that Crouse calls his person cave. It features memorabilia from several years earlier.

“I had a choice: I could drywall the garage, or go the memorabilia route. I went with the memorabilia,” Crouse stated. “I never feel you could locate room for just one much more piece of memorabilia. I have everything from generate-in movie speakers to 8-keep track of gamers.”

As he’ll notify you, it is a great put to dwell, not a Heartbreak Resort.

Crouse will be closing out the summer time when he hosts The King auto exhibit on Sunday, Sept. 18. This yr marks the ninth year for the occasion, which once more will be held at Faurot Park. Registration is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the clearly show is from noon to 5 p.m.

“All the dollars produced from the automobile show … every dime, goes to the Salvation Military. Final yr we raised $6,700.”

He calls the show a superior time to shake, rattle and roll.

Richie Crouse’s 2003 Harley-Davidson Road King is nearly 20 many years outdated and has just 5,500 miles on it. Only 6,500 Street Kings had been designed that yr as component of Harley’s 100th anniversary.

Auto and Elvis Presley memorabilia fill the partitions of Richie Crouse’s garage turned man cave.

Richie Crouse, of Elida, presents the enjoyment at many automobile displays throughout the summer months as he shakes, rattles and rolls in his Elvis Presley apparel created by Nancy Strayer.