Re: 4 week MoPar Midwest tour with lots of pics!
[Re: Forwardlook]
#1113181
11/17/11 10:17 PM
11/17/11 10:17 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,515 Turku, Finland
Forwardlook
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The big day is here but since I have been watching cruising on Woodward for a week now I don't feel like going there early in the morning as there are many places to see still! First up is the Skillman Branch of the Detroit Public Library. They have the biggest automotive collection in the world! http://www.detroit.lib.mi.us/nahc/I was concerned about how on earth I ever could leave this place but it was closed, maybe due to the cruise??!!! One day I'll be back! I decided to take a walk in downtown for a moment before heading back north. Here is the stunning Wayne County courthouse that was close to being demolished in the 1970:s. What were they thinking?? Looking towards the Book-Cadillac entrance; Pawnshop window in the Motor City; Comerica Park was quite an impressive sight in downtown...stupid me drove right past the old Tiger Stadium though earlier, don't know how that is possible even if I thought that it has been demolished? I tend to be a bit more alert in neighborhoods where tireshops don't offer sizes smaller than 24:s in their windows... 1525 Woodward used to be occupied by Chrysler personnel working for the top secret Manhattan Project (a-bomb development) for a period of two years. Chrysler not only built 7 of the 8 B-29 engines that carried the a-bombs to Japan, they also solved many engineering problems in the project; http://www.allpar.com/history/military/a-bomb.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_ProjectI also wanted to check out the Detroit Historical Museum, they have a lot of automotive goodies inside including a body-drop part of a Cadillac assembly line; http://www.detroithistorical.org/main/dhm/index.aspxI'd love to have one of these in triple white with a 500cid Cadillac mill...so sad to see one incomplete forever..but a cool display nevertheless; There are a ton of old beautiful mansions just along Woodward Avenue; A lot of stuff to see but so little time. I was off to see the cruise! It was sad to see that the Vinsetta garage had closed shop after more than 90 years; http://www.vinsettagarage.com/I love Imperials; OK...I want this car! I guess the USA and Canada are pretty much the only countries in the world with purpose-built fire trucks and specially modified emergency vehicles in general. And the pride that people, who operate these, have is amazing. Every time I see emergency vehicles in the US I want to take photos. A rare treat, a 1958 Imperial. It always amazes me how rare the Forward Look Chryslers are in the US. Here's a couple for those late night runs on Woodward, Gratiot or Telegraph; I don't think that I saw more than three Sweptline era trucks on WDC, this one, the 528 Hemi one that's famous from HRM and a flat black with a big block in Pontiac. What's up dudes, these are cool! Cruise in them! If some of you wondered why there were lots of people carrying slicks around, this was the reason; Love the stance on this one; I wanted to get some Silver Bullet souvenirs and I did, including a diecast with Jimmy Addisons signature! The guy who was selling the stuff told me to talk to Harold Sullivan after the TV crew was done with him. I hung around for awhile and thought that he is probably too busy, no big deal. I was already on the other side of the Chrysler display when Harold comes running concerned about being rude! What the heck? He is a nice guy and invited me to sit in the Silver Bullet! Priceless! http://www.silverbulletgtx.com/Another shot by..."Don't you know who I am? I'm Galen Govier!" Thank you fellas! Nothing like catching a ride in a boat on a trailer...but wait..it's not connected to anything??? This thing cruised around at a good rate of speed too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC9ojh8AJoMPontiac fans won't give up; Detroit - Murder City? More celebrities, Faith Granger of the Deuce of Spades movie fame seems to cruise everywhere; http://www.deuceofspadesmovie.com/Who wouldn't love a Gremlin X? But suddely all hell broke loose, I did take notice way before when the wind picked up speed, it was a bit scary really, my truck was really far and trees started fall on powerlines all over. I have never been so wet in my life; The police tried to stop the cruising but it continued somewhat later as the conditions improved; It was also getting dark and besides some last moment cruising I wanted to check out a few places still. On 14 Mile Road and Eton is the site that used to be Ted Spehar's service station. I do not know if the buildings there have anything to do with that but it might be possible? http://www.myrideisme.com/Blog/woodward-aves-silver-bullet-last-words/A rare bird, a 300G convertible; One place I definitely wouldn't miss is the Howard Johnson restaurant where the High End Club would meet before the police made them gather at the Civic Center instead. I am not sure if the building on site is the old Howard Johnson restaurant with modifications or not though? In the Civic Center parking lot, close to I-696 where the racing took place; Halfway through my trip now, anyone awake still? Lol.
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Re: 4 week MoPar Midwest tour with lots of pics!
[Re: Forwardlook]
#1113182
11/18/11 02:03 AM
11/18/11 02:03 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,397 Charleston, South Carolina
67RT
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,397
Charleston, South Carolina
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This is a great post, please keep it up.
1968 Fury III Convertible - 383 4bbl - 4-speed - Black - SOLD and going down under.
1967 Coronet R/T - 440 - 4-speed - Dana 60 - Red - FOR SALE
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Re: 4 week MoPar Midwest tour with lots of pics!
[Re: gts340swinger]
#1113185
11/18/11 02:52 AM
11/18/11 02:52 AM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 983 The Sierras
LAST440
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 983
The Sierras
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WOW. You really know how to TOUR! Amazing. I want to go to Warren Truck next year. Great pics, thanks for sharing
Truckin' Thru Life
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Re: 4 week MoPar Midwest tour with lots of pics!
[Re: 1_WILD_RT]
#1113187
11/18/11 04:05 AM
11/18/11 04:05 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375 SoCal
MuuMuu101
I got lucky at Woodward!
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I got lucky at Woodward!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
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Quote:
When you done giving us a Great American Automotive History lesson this thread needs to be moved to "The Best Of Moparts" What an Awesome Post & A Great Trip you took.. Sorry about the loss of your Mom.. Your making her proud..
Just a great thread with so much history and cars.
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Re: 4 week MoPar Midwest tour with lots of pics!
[Re: MuuMuu101]
#1113188
11/18/11 05:35 AM
11/18/11 05:35 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,779 Mt.Gilead, Ohio
OhioMopar
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,779
Mt.Gilead, Ohio
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This thread is awesome... Good detective work and great pics. You have a finger on the pulse, alright... I would love to be able to plan an excursion like that. So much to see and do, I wouldn't know where to start!
1969 Dart GTS 340 1969 Super Bee X9 N-96 1969 Coronet R/T X9 N-96 2015 Dodge Dart GT 2019 Ram 2500 Big Horn. Looking for the original block for my Bee. The last 4 are 7449
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Re: 4 week MoPar Midwest tour with lots of pics!
[Re: Forwardlook]
#1113190
11/18/11 09:02 PM
11/18/11 09:02 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,515 Turku, Finland
Forwardlook
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Thank you again for the kind words! It is fun to share these as I did most of this stuff by myself. That has its pros too though, it is hard to find nutcases like me who wouldn't start to compromise after a two week overload of automotive history and old stuff in general! So, no letting off the loud pedal, actually, now the faster pace starts after sitting mostly idle for a couple of weeks! One last look at Detroit stuff, I had a few places I had to skip but I think I did pretty good and accomplished a great deal of what I had planned. Once again a fantastic structure with a rich history, the Plymouth Road Office Complex that was unfortunately vacated recently. 1.5 million square feet on 50 acres, built in 1926 to make Kelvinator refrigerators (God, I want a 1950:s Kelvinator Food-A-Rama!!) it made its way to being AMC Headquarters after Kelvinator first merged with Nash in 1937 and Hudson was then added in the mix in 1954. When Chrysler bought AMC in 1987 the complex served as the engineering location for all corporate trucks and SUV:s until it was cleared and the operations moved to Auburn Hills. http://www.allpar.com/corporate/factories/PROC.htmlBefore saying farewell to Detroit I wanted to see the location of Stanford Dodge as they raced, among other things, 1960 and 1961 Dodges back in the day. If you want to get some awesome old photos like this, go to (Hi Patrice, will order some when I recover from this trip); http://www.joestevensphotos.com/NHRADrag...049556160_58b3QThe building seems to have survived very well, anyone have any shots of it from back in the day??? Moving really slowly towards Chicago here's one more Chrysler stop on the way, the Trenton Engine Plant Complex (North and South); http://www.allpar.com/corporate/trenton-engine.htmlHere something went very wrong! Maybe it was my looseleaf note system that failed or the stress of making all the planned stops during Sunday to be able to drive the longer distance in the evening before the sights on Monday but I completely forgot about the Chelsea Proving Grounds!! Well, excuses, excuses! Here is another excellent read from Allpar, the 3,850 acre Chrysler Proving Grounds; http://www.allpar.com/corporate/chelsea-proving-grounds.htmlNext stop was Fords Willow Run complex that originally made the B-24 Liberators (read the first link, it is fantastic and it is another example of how Detroit to a great extent saved the western way of life, I wonder how the world got so screwed up that people make fun of it today??), then Kaisers and later Hydramatic Transmissions, trucks, Corvairs, Novas, Caprices and even M16 rifles! Unfortunately a severe rainstorm appeared just before my arrival to the complex and I was forced to continue as it was impossible to see anything. Besides, to get any kind of an idea of this facility you'd need a helicopter...this was at the time the largest building in the world and there were over 40,000 workers here at the peak, it is extremely impressive no matter how you look at it. There's also the fantastic story of GM putting together a Hydramatic transmission factory, after the biggest industrial fire in history, in just 9 weeks!! Here's some links and old photos, there's a lot of history here so there is a lot more to be found if one wants to do that; http://www.strategosinc.com/willow_run.htmhttp://liberatorcrew.com/06_B-24_Prod.htmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKlt6rNciTohttp://www.allpar.com/cars/adopted/kaiser.htmlhttp://www.autotran.us/TheGreatHydraMaticFire.html
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Re: 4 week MoPar Midwest tour with lots of pics!
[Re: gts340swinger]
#1113191
11/18/11 09:49 PM
11/18/11 09:49 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,301 CA, Proprietor; The "PALOMINO"...
dynotune440
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,301
CA, Proprietor; The "PALOMINO"...
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Hans.... Sorry to hear about your mum.... Nice pictures....I always wanted to go and see where the stuff was made at....lots of history there...
Dinuba, California, Home of the PALOMINO ranch and 440 truck farm, where dodge trucks have a home. Have Four 1979 dodge PALOMINO trucks now.
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Re: 4 week MoPar Midwest tour with lots of pics!
[Re: Forwardlook]
#1113192
11/18/11 10:32 PM
11/18/11 10:32 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,515 Turku, Finland
Forwardlook
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I had to hurry as I did have time for one more thing this day. I was quite certain that it would be cool but I had no idea how good it would be! I have been to a few historical automotive places in my life but I have to ask myself if this really isn't the best of them all? It is THE place if you love Hudsons! It is beyond fantastic if you want to know more about Willow Run! It is a wealth of info if you want to know about dealerships and automotive history in the area in general! If you love dealership memorabilia it is a showcase of especially Hudson stuff with even a realistic dealer showroom (well, it is an actual dealership, the last Hudson one)! This is a place where automotive history is king, the watermelon (green outside, red inside)mean greenies are somewhere in another dimension and yesterday is today! What a trip! I give you Miller Motors in Ypsilanti, Michigan! Go and see it if you have the chance! http://www.ypsiautoheritage.org/When the Willow Run transmission operations were shut down a lot of stuff was donated to the museum, the best thing is that the walls are covered with stuff along with descriptions, this is a place where you want to spend at least a day; How about a NOS Kaiser body with its ORIGINAL cart.... A lot of interesting Tucker stuff too; The original car that Herb Thomas raced back in the day! This was the time when Hudsons ruled NASCAR! Jack Miller told me a cool story how it was found. A long time ago a customer was looking for some parts for what appeared to be a factory severe usage suspension and eyebrows started to raise...yes, it turned out to be the Herb Thomas racecar! http://www.legendsofnascar.com/Herb_Thomas.htmThere was also a letter to Herb Thomas and Smokey Yunick, who prepared the cars, signed by no other than Vince Piggins who later became a legend at Chevrolet. He was responsible for stuff like Z16 Chevelles and Z/28 Camaros; Mentioned Severe Usage Parts in Factory Bulletin and NOS form; The dealership parts display was unbelievable with factory race parts and everything else; Stuff, more stuff; The service area was a mess but in a cool way; I sure hope I can get back to Miller Motors one day, what a place! One more thing (actually there would be several but I'm always in a hurry) before leaving Ypsilanti, the home of Preston Tucker! Unfortunately some worthless soul had burned down the garage but the house was renovated and is in beautiful shape; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preston_Tuckerhttp://www.economicthinking.org/Americanhistory/tucker-greg.htmlwww.tuckerclub.orgYpsilanti Machine Tool Company, the Tucker family business was located here; I had to skip the Gilmore Car Museum which would have housed a wealth of info on Tuckers along with other fantastic things but some other time I am sure? http://gilmorecarmuseum.org/OK, looks like the Photobucket bandwidth was exceeded even if I used three different accounts...I upgraded to pro so hopefully it works when we enter the next stop, the fabulous Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum!
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Re: 4 week MoPar Midwest tour with lots of pics!
[Re: Forwardlook]
#1113194
11/18/11 10:42 PM
11/18/11 10:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 27,347 Today? Who Knows?
1_WILD_RT
Management Trainee
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Management Trainee
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 27,347
Today? Who Knows?
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There are 23 photos visible..
"The Armies of our ancestors were lucky, in that they were not trailed by a second army of pencil pushers."
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Re: 4 week MoPar Midwest tour with lots of pics!
[Re: 1_WILD_RT]
#1113195
11/18/11 10:47 PM
11/18/11 10:47 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,515 Turku, Finland
Forwardlook
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OP
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Posts: 3,515
Turku, Finland
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Quote:
There are 23 photos visible..
OK, much appreciated! All is well then, I can see only 11.
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Re: 4 week MoPar Midwest tour with lots of pics!
[Re: Forwardlook]
#1113197
11/18/11 11:38 PM
11/18/11 11:38 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,873 Chicken coop
dustergirl340
Chicken Little
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Chicken Little
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,873
Chicken coop
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When I refreshed the page all the pictures showed. Kinda funny that you forgot the proving grounds...that was the first thing I asked you after you got back; if you had seen it. Definitely try to make the Gilmore Car Museum some day...it's pretty far away from the Detroit area but it is worth the drive. They have a big Mopars at the Red Barns show there every July. But the Tucker is always my favorite car there.
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Re: 4 week MoPar Midwest tour with lots of pics!
[Re: dustergirl340]
#1113198
11/19/11 12:06 AM
11/19/11 12:06 AM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,515 Turku, Finland
Forwardlook
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Quote:
When I refreshed the page all the pictures showed.
Kinda funny that you forgot the proving grounds...that was the first thing I asked you after you got back; if you had seen it.
Definitely try to make the Gilmore Car Museum some day...it's pretty far away from the Detroit area but it is worth the drive. They have a big Mopars at the Red Barns show there every July. But the Tucker is always my favorite car there.
That's odd because I refreshed too and no help? In fact, I still can't see them. I guess I need to remove some history from the puter for it to work? Anyways, missing the Chelsea Proving Grounds ISN'T FUNNY AT ALL!! Lol. Yeah, the Gilmore seems to be a real trip, have looked at a lot of pics from there!
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