by Bernie Cooney

So it is November in New Jersey, and what do you do?  New Jersey has a reputation for shopping.  This is not a bad thing.  Developers have worked hard defoliating key sections along New Jersey’s scenic highways to provide a convenient level of shopping ease, the equal of which is not often found.  The idea is to get a little head-start on the Holiday shopping season, but to ( as paradoxical as this sounds) also view the vanishing beauty of the Jersey countryside.  The solution to this conundrum, according to Ralph Messina, is quite simple:  Two stops.  Both stops are identified by initials, but readily identifiable by any seasoned car nut in the Garden State. 

Stop #1 is EWA.  This energetic retailer advertises in most hobby magazines, has an incredible on-line presence and also (quite conveniently for us!) has a brick and mortar store on one of New Jersey’s premier shopping highways.  Model cars are the game, coffee and donuts are provided, and EWA’s complete selection, competitive prices and knowledgeable sales staff provide the incentive to jump into Holiday shopping, Cadillac style.  Where else would one drive a ’59 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz to purchase a model of...a ’59 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz?  The shopping blitz was quite thorough, with many trips to the parking lot to view a nice assortment of vintage Cadillacs, non-vintage Cadillacs, vintage Brand X’s and lovingly driven daily drivers. Even the sales staff of EWA took a trip or two to the parking lot (with cameras!) to view the spectacle.  many thanks to Eric Waiter and the staff at EWA for a most enjoyable morning!

Where else would one drive a ’59 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz to purchase a model of a ’59 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz? 

All too soon it was time to put away the credit cards, load up the packages and head for one of New Jersey’s friendly neighborhood automobile museums.  Stop #2 is CWJ, a private museum in scenic downtown Bernardsville.  Owned by dedicated automobile enthusiasts, CWJ was originally established to show off the owner’s private collection of up-scale collectable convertibles.  Over the course of the years other collectors have lent their collector cars to enhance special displays.  Today’s treat was entitled:  “Cadillac, Standard of the World”.  The Raritan River Region couldn’t miss this exhibit.

A collection of automobilia graces the walls with interpretive displays rounding out the exhibit.  The friendly and knowledgeable staff of the CWJ museum was delighted to answer questions and enhance one’s experience.  The Raritan River Region recognizes CWJ as a valuable local resource.  We’ve visited before, and this current visit will not be our last. 

The crowning touch of the tour, of course, was the leisurely ride through unspoiled New Jersey countryside.  This year Mother Nature cooperated and provided our travelers with peak colors.  Deciduous trees sprouted regal crowns of gold and crimson.  Every turn was greeted with a fresh vision of autumnal splendor.