Well boys and girls Detroit Autorama is 2 weeks away. I know the ELTA is going to be there in force with 11 cars and a mini-bike in the basement where all the action is. Who's coming down to enjoy MOTOWN at it's best.
The count down is on for sure Wayne and the line up of ELTA rides is "over the top".....plus we'll have two couches in the ELTA Lounge this year....lol.....for your our guests. Safe travels to all that are making the trip down. I also know that Jeff and Warren will have their awesome hot rods up stairs on the main floor....should be a real bumper crop of fellow Ontario Rodders members in Detroit this year.....see you there!
-- Edited by Fast Elvis on Friday 20th of February 2015 09:45:31 AM
-- Edited by Fast Elvis on Friday 20th of February 2015 09:45:56 AM
-- Edited by Fast Elvis on Friday 20th of February 2015 09:46:31 AM
I'll be going Friday with four of my buddies. Friday we are going to "Hitsville USA", staying over, then bright and early Saturday morn to the show. Heard a lot about and looking forward to meeting some fellas from the ELTA, it's nice to put a face to a name. By the way, are you guys bringing any tee shirts to sell? I always like to buy a couple.
-- Edited by iron horse on Tuesday 24th of February 2015 04:16:18 PM
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As soon as that last light turns green........floor it!!!!!!
And the ELTA strikes again!!!!! We ended up with not only Glenn's "Bestie" , but John Simard's 32 5 window took "Bestie" Overall Traditional Rod, Larry Hill took Street Rodder's pick on Friday night, Ron Limbrick, all around good guy and friend of ELTA took a "Bestie" for Overall traditional roadster, AND we picked a "Bestie" for club display!!! Pics from Kenny should follow and Fordy and maybe some more from Grumper. Not bad for a bunch of Canadians from Canada
And the ELTA strikes again!!!!! We ended up with not only Glenn's "Bestie" , but John Simard's 32 5 window took "Bestie" Overall Traditional Rod, Larry Hill took Street Rodder's pick on Friday night, Ron Limbrick, all around good guy and friend of ELTA took a "Bestie" for Overall traditional roadster, AND we picked a "Bestie" for club display!!! Pics from Kenny should follow and Fordy and maybe some more from Grumper. Not bad for a bunch of Canadians from Canada
More than a bit confused, I googled "detroit autorama bestie" and found ... well .... nothing, absolutely no explanation as to what you are referring to.
You know I find those pictures of peoples homes to be incredibly sad. Happy people, working people whatever they were lived there and probably loved their homes. All gone and probably through no fault of their own.
Like cars these could be restored, someone could live there again.
I find the rotting remains of Detroit's industrial sites fascinating to look at but troublesome at the same time. Lives and hopes just simply gone.
Congratulations guys on your achievements at the show. Well done, you should be proud of the recognition you received.
-- Edited by Offset on Monday 9th of March 2015 05:39:05 PM
Offset - What you say about Detroit is so true and it makes me sad. I love Detroit. They are on the come back. There are many positive things happening all over Detroit. Downtown is being rebuilt with restored buildings and new commercial, residential and sporting facilities. Big business is relocating to down town. Those old buildings have the greatest architecture and they are being restored. COBO Hall has just completed a multi million dollar renovation.
The out lying areas are tearing down the blight, selling adjacent properties to home owners for a song as long as they maintain the property. Homes owned by the city are being sold very cheap as long as the new owners repair and live in the homes.
Those old run down industrial buildings are being torn down and the land cleaned up.
They have a long way to go, but they are making it happen.
Will, I am glad to know I am not the only one who feels strongly for a resurgence for Detroit. I found a site when I was looking for information about Death Valley and discovered a photographer by the name of Joseph Braun. Google him and navigate his site and you can find some incredible shots of his town, Detroit. Crumbling but still fascinating and beautiful.
Thanks for your comments and insight to what is happening in Detroit today.
Again guys congratulations on your achievements in Detroit 2015.
I kept my finger silent when the house pics first were posted, I realize it was it was a couple of members idea of being funny, but my first truck driving job had me in Detroit on a regular basis, went to many alleged scary spots, but the reality is I was uncomfortable once, the rest were good, with regular folks earning a living, paying the bill's just like me, it sucks so many lost out when the high paid folks screwed up, happy to see a rebound and the neighborhoods are taking care of each other,.
I kept my finger silent when the house pics first were posted, I realize it was it was a couple of members idea of being funny, but my first truck driving job had me in Detroit on a regular basis, went to many alleged scary spots, but the reality is I was uncomfortable once, the rest were good, with regular folks earning a living, paying the bill's just like me, it sucks so many lost out when the high paid folks screwed up, happy to see a rebound and the neighborhoods are taking care of each other,.
I posted the pics of the houses (they were obviously stolen off the 'net). Yes, I have been to Detroit and was given a tour of the place (the good and the bad). Nothing "funny" about the pics. A friend I grew up with lives in a suburb of Detroit (Grosse Pointe) and works in downtown Detroit. He specifically made it a point to show me the BULLET PROOF GLASS at the counter of the McDonalds there. Yeah .... no thank you.
I grew up in Windsor across the river. I spent probably 85% of my youth in Detroit and suburbs. We used to cruise Woodward (LONG before it was THE thing to do), Telegraph Rd, Gratiot, race on the unfinished I-696 freeway. I almost married a girl from Dearborn. All in all a pretty great adolescence. In all that time, in all those neighbourhoods, I was only scared one time and I was in a place I shouldn't have been. If you take the time and attitude to talk to some people, you will, as said above meet some ordinary people just trying to live their lives. Yep bullet proof glass. I bet you'll find some in your town too. Your boy in Grosse Point lives in one of the wealthiest "hoods" in Michigan. That's where the downfall of Detroit started , that's where a lot of auto exe's live past, present, and future. The corruption and graft in city hall and county governments was and maybe still the worst in the country. The people of Detroit didn't have anything to do with putting the town in the place it's at right now. The people who have take over the governments have done a remarkable job at try to revitalize the town. Is it the GREAT and powerful manufacturing city it once was ,no. Is their some light at the end of the tunnel yes. Please don't kick somebody when they are down….cuz that's what you are doing to Detroit. Maybe we should pick on the Great and Brilliant Toronto and see what turns up. Maybe Jane and Finch, maybe Scarborough, North York anybody?I'd bet there are "hoods" in your town you won't venture into! Thanks I feel better now
-- Edited by Rochie on Wednesday 11th of March 2015 11:49:52 AM
Detroit has received a ton of criticism, and yes, most of it was deserved. As for the BULLET PROFF GLASS at McDonalds, it likely was needed and I am sure it saved a life or two. I think that was a good idea.
The abandon homes and the run down factories are what we see as the "old" Detroit. Yes, they are there, but the restoration is well underway.
Thousands of volunteers and youth groups are cleaning up their neighbourhoods. Families are returning and schools are opening. The little people are working together for a better Detroit.
The big people are also making things happen. Goggle Mike llitch - owner of Little Caesars Pizza, the Red Wings and the Tigers see what he is doing. Look up Dan Gilbert of Quicken Loans. He just bought a large abandon building in downtown and is renovating it for his corporate headquarters. Hometown boy Roger Penske has always supported Detroit through both thick and thin.
Rochie said it best - Is there some light at the end of the tunnel - YES THERE IS! I see a big light. Well done Detroit.
I completely agree with Rochie,Will and others have mentioned about Detroit's resurgence.Big changes have been undertaken compared to 15 years ago.I felt a Harmony between black and white and a new pride about the city.Small business is springing up and new community leaders are taking the reigns to provide proper leadership.
That city has so much History and is coming back.It will never be what it was…. but it is having a comeback of a different nature.
I really like that City.
Will, I am glad to know I am not the only one who feels strongly for a resurgence for Detroit. I found a site when I was looking for information about Death Valley and discovered a photographer by the name of Joseph Braun. Google him and navigate his site and you can find some incredible shots of his town, Detroit. Crumbling but still fascinating and beautiful.
I checked out the Joseph Braun Photographer site as was suggested here by Offset. Awesome pictures. Thank you for the site.
For any one that loves Detroit, it is worth taking a look.
Photos from the Pretty and the Gritty side of Detroit
Our Passion, our love of cars was born in Detroit. Cobo Autorama and Woodward Dream Cruise are 2 very strong roots for our hobby. Yeah Detroit is crumbling, and corruption only made it worse. Detroit is making a comeback, as well as some of the surrounding cities. I will keep going to The Motor City and enjoying wondering down Memory Lane, because without Detroit we'd be collecting stamps and star gazing. Each summer, when we attend Woodward Dream Cruise we set 1 day aside to visit a museum. Last year it was the Detroit Institute for the Arts. previously Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. Detroit is a big part of our hobby and in our blood. Make time to support the city and people that have such a huge part in our pastime.
It's been said that Henry Ford could not turn down a challenge, how 'bout you?
By the way, have you watched CKLW; The Rise and Fall of the Big 8? Excellent viewing with a look at Detroit in the 60's. www.thebig8.net/
Gotta go, I'm going to chase cars down the street. if I catch one......
the Kid
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In the words of Red Green "Remember, I'm pulling for you. We're all in this together".
In my opinion Detroit is a big part of our hobby,, I know it has been a major part of my life. For the first 50 years of my life I would have moved there in a heartbeat. I remember growing up in the '60's like the kid said listening to CKLW which they always said they were in Detroit. Is it really in Detroit? With a call sign that starts with "C" it's kind of a giveaway that it was from Windsor. Living same distance from each I have never been to downtown T.O.. But go to Detroit and area all the time. Kid thanks for the link
-- Edited by toomuchjunk on Monday 23rd of March 2015 09:08:29 PM