Christinia O'Connor | Special to The Roanoke Times

Parked in downtown Christiansburg, Santa, aka Wayne Akers of Christiansburg, waves to passing motorists. Throughout December, Akers dresses up as Santa Claus and rides around the New River Valley in his 23-year-old red T-bucket Ford that he calls Rudolph.

CHRISTIANSBURG -- Consider it Santa's little toy.

It's a 23-year-old omega red T-bucket roadster Ford with a souped-up engine and shiny brass head lamps. Wayne Akers grins when he calls it Rudolph.

Actually, Akers smiles a lot these days. It's infectious, he said.

When he dons the plush hat, fake beard, big red suit and gold-rimmed glasses and climbs (literally) into his topless Ford hot rod, he can't hide his delight.

For the second holiday season, Akers has been cruising the New River Valley dressed as Santa Claus with Rudolph's brass lights leading the way.

"I like to see the adults the most," the 62-year-old said. "When they see me, it brings a smile to their face from seeing Santa."

The activity gives the retired Air Force master sergeant and former Montgomery County school custodian something to do. And it helps keep people focused on the joys of the holidays, not the hassles -- at least he said he hopes it does.

"With the economy, the world today, people need something to smile about," he said.

Akers said he tries to drive through all the shopping centers in Christiansburg at least once a weekend to spread some holiday tidings while people lug hefty bags.

It seems to work.

People of all ages stop their cars in the middle of the street to snap a picture or trade a friendly "ho-ho-ho." Sometimes, they lean out their car windows, reaching cellphone cameras toward the man in the long beard (which, by the by, can be itchy and is not tasty when the wind blows it into Akers' mouth). Other times, they'll hop out to grab a picture together.

"We saw him the other day, and he just had to get a picture," Allen McElroy said after he hoisted son Weston into the T-bucket for a pose Saturday.

Santa doesn't mind.

He bought the 1920s-era car in 2003 from a museum in Missouri. A family in Arkansas had traded it for another antique.

When Christmas isn't around the corner, Akers calls the T-bucket "Thelma and Louise," after the two strong-willed women the 1991 film. Akers didn't think about using the car as a roaring sleigh until last year.

He turned to his wife of 43 years, Sharon, and shared the idea with her.

"I just thought, 'You know, I've got that. Wouldn't it be great if Santa went around in his car?' " he said. "I became hooked the first time I did it."

So the tires turn. The sleigh, tricked out in 1985, hasn't needed any work other than regular maintenance. The 10-inch tires are the originals and the chrome Harley Davidson-style wheels make some passers-by drool.

Despite his pimped ride, Santa isn't above praising others when he drives.

"I like your hat," he offered to a man pushing a cart in an all-too-familiar plush red cap.

Akers, who is recovering from a few health problems, said he hopes to keep seeing people enjoying his dress. He doesn't plan to stop hot-rodding through town any Christmas season soon.

"As long as I have the car, and I can go, I will."

Santa wants to hear from you. Send him an e-mail at retirede7usfa@verizon.net.