In a small garage lit entirely by an old Gulf sign, Keith Floyd slowly and carefully polishes his 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.

“It’s the kind of car that I wanted as I kid,” the 47-year-old said of his blue convertible. ”There is nothing better than cruising down the road with the top down and listening to some tunes.”

Floyd has been active in Somernites Cruise, a popular car club that has led the City of Somerset to put signs saying it is the “Car Cruise Capital of Kentucky.”

Since it’s inception in 2001, it’s impact on the community and economy has boosted tourism drastically, Floyd says.

“Besides [Somernites] being the largest car show in Kentucky — in the rinky-dink middle of nowhere — we get cars from 15 to 20 states,” he says. “Some people ask, ‘How do you guys do it?’ and I tell them the Lord has looked on us.”

Floyd moved to Somerset from Arkansas when he was 16 and while he was interested in Volkswagens, Chevelles and Datsuns he says he knew he wanted an Oldsmobile.

In his downtime, Floyd spends his time between his property management company and an insurance company he manages with his wife of 27 years, Latisha.

“Really, it’s just a passion and I support his love of Somernites,” Latisha says. ”That’s just what a good wife does.”

While Floyd wants to get another car, a 1966 or 67 Volwswagen Bug, it probably won’t happen soon, he said with a laugh.

“I can’t do it,” Floyd says. ”I got one girl in college, and another just got married.”

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