Back to the Bricks / Woodward Dream Cruise 2023

[JUSTA6]

[Frosty]

I will post pictures from both Back to the Bricks and Woodward, starting later tonight.

Justa - where is that segment of our cars on the Channel 7 Dream Cruise show since it was 2 hours long? First 30 minutes, second hour, where? They have posted various segments on the WXYZ.com website.

https://www.wxyz.com/money/auto-news/dream-cruise

Segment 7 deals with the Pontiac Transportation Museum and Stahl's Auto Collection, both I've posted about before. 

In case Indyman Joe or Justa haven't said it, our Saturday at the Dream Cruise was not what we expected it to be. M1 is fine facility, but the left hand and right hand had no clue as to what was going on or suppose to be happening. It started with us entering the gate of Rapid Street. No one told us we should've gone through the main entrance on Woodward. We were expecting to be somewhere near the fence line along Woodward. Nope, we were given a designated "Pontiac" section of the race track, farthest from the fence line. It was quiet and plenty of space to set up tents but nowhere near the action we are use to seeing. It was not this way last year either - the club raved about M1 last year. This year was a cluster f*ck IMO.

I didn't know until I got home that Jay Leno was at the M1. He was picking up his new Dodge Challenger Demon 170 - a  limited edition 1,000 HP factory car - from the VP of Dodge Performance. There was no announcements on the PA that he was there. 

I will rant more when I start posting pictures but suffice it to say the expression "We are not happy until you are not happy" seems to apply to this weekend. There were some neat bright spots to be sure. Justa not what we were expecting.

[JUSTA6]

Comedian and automotive aficionado Jay Leno joined the cruisers on Woodward Avenue under a brilliant, bright blue sky Saturday, taking a rumbling spin in his newest ride, a 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170.

Leno took possession of the machine, part of a limited production run of maybe 3,300 vehicles that promises 1,025 horsepower, when he joined Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis at the Vinsetta Garage restaurant in Berkley to tout a new partnership on car care products between Jay Leno’s Garage and Dodge’s Direct Connection parts line. Dodge said it was the first customer delivery for this Demon variant since its unveiling five months ago.

[JUSTA6]

1 hour ago, Frosty said:

I will post pictures from both Back to the Bricks and Woodward, starting later tonight.

Justa - where is that segment of our cars on the Channel 7 Dream Cruise show since it was 2 hours long? First 30 minutes, second hour, where? They have posted various segments on the WXYZ.com website.

https://www.wxyz.com/money/auto-news/dream-cruise

Segment 7 deals with the Pontiac Transportation Museum and Stahl's Auto Collection, both I've posted about before. 

In case Indyman Joe or Justa haven't said it, our Saturday at the Dream Cruise was not what we expected it to be. M1 is fine facility, but the left hand and right hand had no clue as to what was going on or suppose to be happening. It started with us entering the gate of Rapid Street. No one told us we should've gone through the main entrance on Woodward. We were expecting to be somewhere near the fence line along Woodward. Nope, we were given a designated "Pontiac" section of the race track, farthest from the fence line. It was quiet and plenty of space to set up tents but nowhere near the action we are use to seeing. It was not this way last year either - the club raved about M1 last year. This year was a cluster f*ck IMO.

I didn't know until I got home that Jay Leno was at the M1. He was picking up his new Dodge Challenger Demon 170 - a  limited edition 1,000 HP factory car - from the VP of Dodge Performance. There was no announcements on the PA that he was there. 

I will rant more when I start posting pictures but suffice it to say the expression "We are not happy until you are not happy" seems to apply to this weekend. There were some neat bright spots to be sure. Justa not what we were expecting.

Covered Leno and his new car.  About half way through the 7 coverage is our 4 sec of fame. Mel's screenshot is fantastic and I'm having a picture made for the Sunbird signage for my display.

 

[indymanjoe]

thankfully i went the night before LOL

[Frosty]

Nice one Joe!

[JustAG6]

12 hours ago, Frosty said:

I will post pictures from both Back to the Bricks and Woodward, starting later tonight.

Justa - where is that segment of our cars on the Channel 7 Dream Cruise show since it was 2 hours long? First 30 minutes, second hour, where? They have posted various segments on the WXYZ.com website.

https://www.wxyz.com/money/auto-news/dream-cruise

Segment 7 deals with the Pontiac Transportation Museum and Stahl's Auto Collection, both I've posted about before. 

In case Indyman Joe or Justa haven't said it, our Saturday at the Dream Cruise was not what we expected it to be. M1 is fine facility, but the left hand and right hand had no clue as to what was going on or suppose to be happening. It started with us entering the gate of Rapid Street. No one told us we should've gone through the main entrance on Woodward. We were expecting to be somewhere near the fence line along Woodward. Nope, we were given a designated "Pontiac" section of the race track, farthest from the fence line. It was quiet and plenty of space to set up tents but nowhere near the action we are use to seeing. It was not this way last year either - the club raved about M1 last year. This year was a cluster f*ck IMO.

I didn't know until I got home that Jay Leno was at the M1. He was picking up his new Dodge Challenger Demon 170 - a  limited edition 1,000 HP factory car - from the VP of Dodge Performance. There was no announcements on the PA that he was there. 

I will rant more when I start posting pictures but suffice it to say the expression "We are not happy until you are not happy" seems to apply to this weekend. There were some neat bright spots to be sure. Justa not what we were expecting.

You're fly over is 35 minutes and about 25 seconds in I think it was. 

[Frosty]

https://www.wxyz.com/money/auto-news/dream-cruise

Our 4 seconds of fame starts at the 35:28 mark on this video. This shows our Pontiac area at M1, including Bruce Bunker's '39 Pontiac.

Thanks JustaG6.

 

 

Edited August 22, 2023 by Frosty

[JUSTA6]

How bout some more pic's?

 

[Ringo64]

2 hours ago, JUSTA6 said:

"What do you drive?"

"Oh, I got the Skull over there next to the Chevy SS"

[JUSTA6]

MO?

 

[Ringo64]

[JUSTA6]

K

7 minutes ago, Ringo64 said:

40,000 + vehicles, well over a million spectators, Who really knows (but Ringo) how many Michigan members, and I was the only one with a camera??   C'mon show us whatcha got.

[64 kiwi boni]

am loving the coverage guys !!! 

sooooo makes me want to be there !!

Edited August 23, 2023 by 64 kiwi boni

[64 kiwi boni]

i am, with Ringo !!! this is soooooo cool !!!

 

 

Edited August 23, 2023 by 64 kiwi boni

[JUSTA6]

9 hours ago, 64 kiwi boni said:

i am, with Ringo !!! this is soooooo cool !!!

 

 

Thought you'd be all over this one from the top of the page.  Couldn't wait to post, didn't realize it was partially blocked.😟 car pulled up JUSTA as the trigger was pulled. I kinda liked the SEA Burban. Mich Great Lakes themed Land Yacht.

 

Edited August 23, 2023 by JUSTA6

[64 kiwi boni]

wow i missed that 59 completly !!!! ... nice wheels !!!

[Frosty]

Okay so I will start my Back to the Bricks/Woodward week photos tonight with the rolling cruise on Wedneday, August 16, 2023 on Saginaw Street, from downtown Flint (a.k.a The Vehicle City) to Grand Blanc.

The former Durant Hotel was named after GM Founder, Billy Durant. It laid vacant for several decades but has now been remodeled into condo units.

 

Flint's War Memorial - a tribute to all Flint area residents who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Archway over the south end of Saginaw St, at the Flint River. These archways are modern re-creations of archways that stood over Saginaw St in the early 1900s.

A donked Ute? Oh my.

Two of the several statues dedicated to automotive pioneers that lived and worked in Flint. On the left is the statue to Albert Champion, founder of both Champion Spark Plugs and Flint Ignition (later became AC Spark Plug division of GM - AC stands for Albert Champion BTW). On the right is the statue to GM Founder, Billy Durant.

Interestingly these two nearly identical Buick Reatta convertibles were at the same corned, just on opposite ends.

A Poncho in front of one of our oldest Chevy dealers, Applegate Chevrolet.

Some of the crowds of people lining Saginaw St to watch the cars go by.

Burn out time!

Believe it or not - this car is based on the Grand Prix. It wsa the modern version of the Stutz Bearcat.

A GMC Topkick or C7000 - they were built between 2003 and 2009. It is clearly based on a commercial truck chassis.

My first car was a '71 Vega. This one is done almost perfectly with the 2nd gen Camaro inspired split bumpers and probalby a small block under the hood.

Okaaaaay!!! It takes all kinds I guess.

These two hot rods were right behind each other. They were cool/ You got respect any man who's intake is at or above his roof!

His license plate says it all!

 

I finally pulled over in Grand Blanc. A buddy of mine was with his cousin at a local Grand Blanc automotive repair shop, so I stopped and took photos from there and watched the cars go by.

These two cars belong to friends of mine. Some of you older members may remember about 10 years ago when I helped partial restore the red '68 Chevy Impala while I was laid off. The black '55 convertible and the red Impala owners are both members of my ski club. We are all life members and past presidents of the club.

 

Edited August 24, 2023 by Frosty

[Frosty]

[64 kiwi boni]

oh no frosty's favourite hate !,

sorry but its mine too ! 

justA no !!!!!

Edited August 24, 2023 by 64 kiwi boni

[64 kiwi boni]

This chevy is very cool Frosty !.. and really great picture with the sun going down too !

Edited August 24, 2023 by 64 kiwi boni

[Fitzy]

Great pics, as always Frosty. My fave was the rat rod - I always loved that "I don't give a shit" look of a rat rod. Big wheels, low, big engine and the rest is rough as guts. Perfect.

[JUSTA6]

8 hours ago, Frosty said:

Okay so I will start my Back to the Bricks/Woodward week photos tonight with the rolling cruise on Wedneday, August 16, 2023 on Saginaw Street, from downtown Flint (a.k.a The Vehicle City) to Grand Blanc.

The former Durant Hotel was named after GM Founder, Billy Durant. It laid vacant for several decades but has now been remodeled into condo units.

 

Flint's War Memorial - a tribute to all Flint area residents who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Archway over the south end of Saginaw St, at the Flint River. These archways are modern re-creations of archways that stood over Saginaw St in the early 1900s.

A donked Ute? Oh my.

Two of the several statues dedicated to automotive pioneers that lived and worked in Flint. On the left is the statue to Albert Champion, founder of both Champion Spark Plugs and Flint Ignition (later became AC Spark Plug division of GM - AC stands for Albert Champion BTW). On the right is the statue to GM Founder, Billy Durant.

Interestingly these two nearly identical Buick Reatta convertibles were at the same corned, just on opposite ends.

A Poncho in front of one of our oldest Chevy dealers, Applegate Chevrolet.

Some of the crowds of people lining Saginaw St to watch the cars go by.

Burn out time!

Believe it or not - this car is based on the Grand Prix. It wsa the modern version of the Stutz Bearcat.

A GMC Topkick or C7000 - they were built between 2003 and 2009. It is clearly based on a commercial truck chassis.

My first car was a '71 Vega. This one is done almost perfectly with the 2nd gen Camaro inspired split bumpers and probalby a small block under the hood.

Okaaaaay!!! It takes all kinds I guess.

These two hot rods were right behind each other. They were cool/ You got respect any man who's intake is at or above his roof!

His license plate says it all!

 

I finally pulled over in Grand Blanc. A buddy of mine was with his cousin at a local Grand Blanc automotive repair shop, so I stopped and took photos from there and watched the cars go by.

These two cars belong to friends of mine. Some of you older members may remember about 10 years ago when I helped partial restore the red '68 Chevy Impala while I was laid off. The black '55 convertible and the red Impala owners are both members of my ski club. We are all life members and past presidents of the club.

 

Looks like Bricks have been repaired downtown???  I hit my headers with the GTO last year in a couple spots.  Would have had to get spectators to carry the Sunbird out of there. 

[Frosty]

Yes, they are repairing the bricks. 40% was completed this summer. I think they expect to have it completely re-done by the end of summer 2026, if not sooner.

For context for folks who don't live or work near Flint, most of these bricks are the original bricks that were used to pave Saginaw St. in the early 1900s. The bricks have moved, heaved, and buckled as traffic and Michigan's notorious winter freeze/thaw cycle will move them. Broken bricks are replaced with newer ones.

[Frosty]

Now for shots from Friday's car show at the M1 Concourse.

Driving down the south bound Woodward/Widetrack Blvd loop. As you can see by the darkened road surface, this was where Roadkill Nights was held, just a week ago.

Entering M1 from the Rapid St. entrance.

Gorgeous Jag.

Well I am parked on the track, near the main building. No room between the car and the tires to setup a canopy to protect from the sun. That's a bit annoying. Not to mention the tires could be a haven for wasps, bees, and other stinging critters.

Jim Larson's Grand Prix.

Fellow Widetracker and PTM volunteer, Steve Armstrong's '77 Grand Prix. He's the original and sole owner of this car.

Widetrackers President Tim Mays owns Lucy's sister, a ''71 Lemans Sport with a 350 V8.

I have to give mad props to this guy. He raced this car on Woodward last week at Roadkill Nights. The Roadkill Nights number is still on the car. Very cool.

Mopar was the featured car in the skid pad/arena area of the complex. Some classic Mopars were there....

One of three vintage Pro Stock Mopars.

How can you not love a Plymouth Superbird? Beep Beep!

This guy wins my award for most machismo with a boosted engine. A Blown Hemi with the engine above the roof. What is not to love here?

Butch Leal's old Pro Stocker. Notice the dual plugs per cylinder and dual Y-shaped distributor?

The Mopar Missile Pro Stocker

 

A Ramchargers tribute Barracuda.

Speaking on the Ramchargers, did I mention they were also there? Yup. In the main building they had some of the old Ramcharger's original cars plus all the living members of the Ramchargers team were there giving some history and doing a Q&A session. More on that later.

Forced induction on a lawnmower engine. Fitzy - does this give you any ideas for the GT Mow? LOL!

Yikes!

There were a lot of old Mopar race cars along with modern stuff.

Gotta love the zoomies on this car.

A real A/FX altered wheel base car from back in the day.

A Mopar pace car? Wow! I've never seen this before. Nice.

This guy showed up next to be in the gorgeous '53 Cadillac convertible. He got a lot of looks but he didn't stay very long.

One of the best chopped and customized Buick Riverias I've ever seen.

 

 

Edited August 26, 2023 by Frosty