Category: Clubs and shows
Posted by Todd Burek on Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 2:45 PM22nd annual EyesOn Design an overwhelming success
Sunday was the 22nd annual EyesOn Design Concours d'Elegance style automotive design show at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores. Thanks to a lot of hard work by so many dedicated volunteers and organizers coupled with beautiful weather the show was a smashing success. In fact, the only problem was a very soggy meadow due to all the rain leading up to the show.
Every member of the EyesOn team is a volunteer and this show goes 100 percent to supporting the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology. The DIO supports such wonderful activities as research toward the link between vision and safe operation of a vehicle, development of "artificial vision" for the visually impaired and blind along with support groups that help people who are losing or lost their sight cope and preserve their independence. The DIO is truly an amazing nonprofit organization doing amazing work.
Back to the show. The field featured more than 250 cars from around the country and motorcycles spanning the design career of the recipient of the Lifetime Design Achievement Award, Willie G. Davidson. This is also such a great show because you see cars of every era and design - not just foreign pre-war cars. This year's event had such classes as "Family Vacation" that encompassed station wagons, "Hot Rods" that exemplified the custom car and "Drop Top Dream Machines," which I think is self explanatory to go along with customary classes such as "Classic Era" and "American Racing".
Some other things that make this such a unique experience is the judging. For instance, there is a group of judges called the Visionaries. They are visually challenged car enthusiasts who wear soft white gloves to enable them to run their fingers along the cars to feel the vehicles' design cues and form. The winner they chose this year was a 1967 Shelby GT 500.
Another great feature was the theme of this year's show, The Art of Automobile Advertising and Design. Each vehicle on the field had next to it the original published advertisement that the owners took home with them. The original artwork that made up the advertisements were almost as stunning as the cars themselves. This truly is a one of a kind show.
Between the elegant setting of the Ford House and Lake St. Clair to the exceptional field of beautiful rolling art to the sunny day that the 22nd Annual EyesOn Design enjoyed the show was an overwhelming success and supports a noble cause.
Category: Clubs and shows
Posted by Todd Burek on Wed, Jun 17, 2009 at 4:26 PMGloomy weather doesn't slow down Chrysler employee show
June 13 was the 20th annual Chrysler Employees Motorsport Association (CEMA) charity car show on the grounds of the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills. Even though the weather threatened, the spirits of the participants were high and the show was wonderful.
The show drew around 250 cars to the field that represented all makes and models. That was down from past years but also made it fun, too. The lower attendance made the show more intimate and allowed more time for wandering around the museum to see the exhibits and asking questions of the car owners outside.
Even though I am a plain car nut and appreciate all makes and models, I have a soft spot for Mopars. As many may know, I own a 1967 Dodge Dart GT custom, which was on display in the museum for a year. Also, my dad is a recent Chrysler retiree after working in Chrysler Finance for 42 years. But that's only a small part of why I love this show so much; the big reason is the guest speakers.
This year's speaker was former Chrysler Executive Vice President of Design Tom Gale and his son, Jeff, who is a current Chrysler designer. It was great to hear the back stories about how such iconic cars as Viper and Prowler came to be along with the LH and LX platforms that gave birth to the current Challenger, LHS, 300C, Charger, 300M and Intrepid to name a few. They had numerous slides and anecdotes that I could have listened to for hours. They were very entertaining and informative and really replaced rumor with fact.
The real reason everyone was there, however, was the cars. If you are a horsepower junkie and drag race fan this was nirvana. In attendance was the complete Motown Missile and Macomb Missile collection of cars, The Gratiot Auto Supply Dart and such a wide variety of Big Three muscle cars.
Your head would spin and when all is said and done that is what makes a great car show. Having a wide variety of cars so that everyone can find something that interests them and that they can relate to.
Category: Events
Posted by Todd Burek on Sat, Jun 13, 2009 at 7:40 AMDetroit production of 'Monster Garage' on hold
After talking with people familiar with the inside workings of the hit Discovery Channel series "Monster Garage," I learned Detroit production has been put on hold.
Apparently, the first of many Detroit episodes, which is being shot in a 300,000-square-foot converted warehouse on the city's southeast side, was abruptly put on hold due to a legal problem with the trademark and name rights to the "Monster Garage" name.
Production is expected to begin again in about a month or so under a new series name and logo. The builds will still be supervised by drag race legend and former holder Rick Dier, who is a Detroit native. Also, when production returns, the first build will continue to feature local racer and car builder Bruce Kimmen and his Heads Up Racing team creating the first car.
Category: Clubs and shows
Posted by Todd Burek on Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 1:08 PMHot Rod Power Tour was better than expected
What do you get when you mix a gorgeous day, a great setting and 4,000 hot rods and muscle cars? One heck of a party! What a party it was, too. Tuesday was the Hot Rod Power Tour stop in the Detroit area and if you weren't there you really missed out.
Organizers told me that they had just shy of 4,000 cars show up at Metro Beach in Harrison Township, which created utter gridlock on 16 Mile Road leading into the park. Funny thing though, I didn't hear anyone complain about the traffic. In fact, it almost looked the the Dream Cruise with people sitting along the parkway in lawn chairs just watching the tour roll by.
To be honest, the morning started kind of slow. The caravan I was a part of arrived at about 9:30 in the morning and the only others there at that time were the vendors. Fortunately for us, the crowd arrived shortly after and en masse they came. Quite literally, it was cars and people as far as the eye could see. The best part was that everyone was incredible well behaved.
It was great to see so many different cars that hailed from all over the country. I saw plates from as far away as Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Florida and everywhere in between. It truely was a sight to behold.
I hope this isn't the last time the tour stops in the Motor Capital, but it would certainly be understandable if it is. In talking to organizers it cost roughly $50,000 to bring it here and in any economic condition that is a considerable amount. However, if you were there you know how much fun it was and if you weren't ask another gear head. With 4,000 cars there just about everyone attended.
Category: Clubs and shows
Posted by Todd Burek on Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 11:49 AMMy picks for best June car shows
I often get asked about which car shows I attend and where will I be any given weekend. So, I thought I would give a list of some of my favorites shows and cruises for the month of June.
June 6: Mt. Clemens Car Show and Cruise Night, downtown Mt. Clemens
I don't know about you, but anytime you can shut down a county seat with classic cars it is a good time. During the day is the car show and in the evening is a car cruise down Main Street of Mt Clemens.
June 7: 13th annual Orphan Car Show, Riverside Park, Ypsilanti
It is really neat to see such an eclectic collection of cars. Hopefully this summer does not add too many additional extinct car brands to field.
June 13: 20th annual Chrysler Employees Motorsport Association(CEMA) Charity Car Show, the Walter P. Chrysler Museum, Auburn Hills
This is one of my yearly favorites because it truly has it all. The grounds and backdrop are second to none, the museum is open and free of charge and there is always an incredible list of speakers in the museum theater. Past presenters have included the likes of the Ramchargers and the Golden Commando's drag racing teams. This year's speaker is former Chrysler Executive Vice President of Design Tom Gale.
June 14: Blast from the Past, Metro Beach
This one is fun because there is something for all ages and is definitely a family event. The show is sponsored by the No Name Car Club and is free of charge. Entry to the park is even free for classic cars. The show runs from 8 a.m. until dusk. Bring your canopies and hibachis and get set for fun. The cars are parked along scenic Lake St. Clair so photos are a must.
June 20: Cruisin Gratiot, Eastpointe
The east side's original car cruise and, in my opinion, the best of the three Gratiot cruises. The cruise runs from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. along the avenue through Eastpointe. What is nice is everything is within walking distance. Definitely a must do this summer.
June 21 (Happy Father's Day): 22nd annual Eyes on Design Automotive Design Show, Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, Grosse Pointe
This is one of the few elite Concours shows left in the country. This year's Lifetime Design Achievement Award recipient is Harley Davidson's Willie G. Davidson, who will also be participating in two charity rides through Metro Detroit that weekend.
June 27: 10th annual Downriver Cruise
This cruise is great for so many reasons, but the best to me is the variety of cars. Each year I see cars I have never seen before. The cruise begins at 10 a.m. and travels through Lincoln Park, Riverview, Southgate and Wyandotte.
June 27-28: Sloan Museum Summer Auto Fair, Sloan Museum, Flint
I like variety and you will see cars from all over the state at this show. Plus the Sloan Museum is a must for any GM car fan - or any car fan for that matter.
If you know of some other great events that I did not list let me know which ones and why you like them by leaving a comment here.
Category: Hot Rod Power Tour
Posted by Todd Burek on Thu, May 28, 2009 at 10:03 AMHot Rod Power Tour to stop at Metro Beach
It is official that the Hot Rod Power Tour Detroit stop will be at Metro Beach in Harrison Township on June 9. It is too bad that it can't be at the GM Tech Center in Warren, but the sun, sand and water will make a fantastic backdrop.
Additionally, the City of Warren is planning an after-hours cruise for participants. Check out the Hot Rod Power Tour homepage for more details.
Category: Events
Posted by Todd Burek on Thu, May 28, 2009 at 10:02 AMOld favorite Friday night cruise night at Continental Lanes still going strong
There is something to be said for familiarity and normalcy, especially in these turbulent times. That was the first thing I thought of when I pulled into the parking lot at Continental Lanes in Roseville last Friday evening. The east side fixture has been providing a weekly dose of classic cars for gear heads in need at the corner of 13 Mile Road and Gratiot for close to 20 years and I was glad to see it start up again in earnest.
The evening started with my 5-year-old son wanting to hang out with Dad for a little while, so the obvious answer of what to do led us to the garage, a classic car and a cruise night.
Walking through the rows of cars gives me a comforting feeling. There were so many familiar faces and getting to hear so many inflated stories was just like going home. I love traveling around the state for car events to see different cars and new people, but there is something to be said for going back to where it all started for me.
After walking and talking we started to head home, but not before asking my son if he wanted to have a little fun. So we stopped in an out of the way parking lot to leave a little rubber and make a lot of noise before putting both the car and him to bed. As I always say, it is never too early to start planting the automotive seed and show him why his grandpa and I love these cars.
The annual Friday night event at Continental Lanes is free of charge and all years, makes and models of vehicles are welcome. Just come looking to relax and see some classic American iron.
Category: Events
Posted by Todd Burek on Sun, May 24, 2009 at 10:13 AMEyes on Design to honor Harley's Davidson
I went to an Eyes on Design meeting the other day and for those of you who are not yet aware the honoree at this year's event is none other than Senior Vice President and Chief Styling Officer of Harley Davidson Motorcycles, Willie G. Davidson.
There will be two charity rides with Mr. Davidson that the public can participate in, as well as the show on Father's Day at the Ford Mansion in Grosse Pointe. At the show Mr. Davidson will be honored and part of the field will feature many of the bikes he helped design and implement over his illustrious career.
Check out the flyer for more information. I will bring you more information as the show draws closer.
Category: Clubs and shows
Posted by Todd Burek on Fri, May 22, 2009 at 1:05 AMMemorial Day weekend car fest in Rochester
For those of you looking for a great show this special holiday weekend to enjoy along with the gorgeous weather, look no farther than the Rochester Lions Club 3rd Annual Heritage Rod & Custom Car Festival. The show takes place yearly at the Rochester Municipal Park in Rochester on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
You will see a wide variety of classics that run the gamut of original, custom and radical. For more information, you can call (248) 373-4229.
Memorial Day thanks
Because Memorial Day weekend is almost upon us, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank the folks in uniform who have sacrificed so much to allow us to follow our dreams and pursuits. My late grandfather, Otto Glines, t was a World War II gunner in the Army Air Corps. If he were still with us I would undoubtedly be thanking him for his service, so in his spirit I want to thank all the soldiers and veterans for theirs. Happy Memorial Day.
Category: Clubs and shows
Posted by Todd Burek on Wed, May 13, 2009 at 11:16 PMNew cruise spot makes you feel like you went back in time
I was driving home last night and happened to be driving past the Sonic restaurant on Groesbeck Highway in Clinton Township. Quite often I go out of my way just to stop by and sample some of its shakes and desserts, but last night I stopped because of the impromptu cruise night that developed.
Classic and vintage car events at the location were officially supposed to start this Saturday with an all day and into the night cruise in from 9 a.m. until close and then continue every Tuesday evening through out the season. However, events spontaneously began last night due to popular demand. I walked around and talked to organizers who were summoned by Sonic management because of a blitz of inquiries about the start of its cruise nights. After talking for seconds they decided to start last night. Honestly, could you pick a better place for a cruise night? After all, it is a true drive-in restaurant. Seeing all those cars there really make me feel like I went back in time.
Another great announcement that came out over the weekend and was reiterated last night is that the Big 3 in the D cruise sponsored by the Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau will start at the same Sonic restaurant this Saturday at 9 a.m. The cruise was originally scheduled for May 9 but rescheduled due to weather. Participation is by invitation only. The cruise will start at Sonic, thenm head downtown to the Renaissance Center in Detroit for a ceremonial loop before taking Michigan Avenue to The Henry Ford in Dearborn. Custom and original examples of Chrysler, Ford and General Motors products spanning the decades will participate. Spectators are encouraged to come and hang out at either end of the cruise.
For more information, you can call Sonic event organizers at (586) 405-9916. To find out more about the Big 3 in the D cruise you can visit the Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau online or call 313) 202-1808.
