From The Oakland Press

Sandra Aquilina’s 1934 Ford with a 350 H.O. Chevy engine

At first glance, Sandra Aquilina is a girly-girl. The retired manicurist’s hair was in a curly ponytail, and she wore a trendy bandana headband. But, when she began describing her 1934 Ford, Aquilina meant business. “It’s a 1934 Ford with a 350 H.O. Chevy engine, 700 r4 transmission, and 4:11 gea...

From The Oakland Press

Woodward Dreamin': Readers show off their classic rides before the big cruise

Clarkston resident Wendell Stringer and his 1955 Buick Clarkston resident Wendell Stringer will be driving a ’55 Buick in the Woodward Dream Cruise. Stringer, 74, paid $8,000 for the car a decade ago. He said he saw the car was being auctioned by Southern Motors at a Woodward Dream Cruise h...

From The Oakland Press

Most Woodward Dream Cruise cities pay thousands to host the event

While touted as a free event for visitors, the 18-mile Woodward Dream Cruise from Pontiac to Ferndale — set for Saturday — impacts the budgets of most of the nine host communities along the Woodward Avenue route. Costs range from police patrol to public works cleanup. Police close Woodward Avenue...

From The Oakland Press

Automakers letting no Woodward Dream Cruise opportunity drive by

General Motors, Chrysler and Ford are going all out for the Woodward Dream Cruise this year, with a full slate of events that goes right through the week until the big day on Saturday. Chevrolet, the presenting sponsor of the Dream Cruise, plans to emphasize one of its iconic vehicles, the Corvet...

From The Oakland Press

Woodward Dream Cruise is ready to rev on

The roar of classic car engines will once again fill the air up and down Woodward Avenue this week as the region gears up for Saturday’s Woodward Dream Cruise. The number 18 has significance this year — it’s the 18th anniversary of the massive 18-mile-long car cruise happening Aug. 18. “We’re look...

From The Oakland Press

Dealership specializes in classic Cruisers

Vern Roberts opened his classic car dealership, Southern Motors, in 1978, long before anyone imagined the Woodward Dream Cruise. But you could say the two share a common bond. “There is always a lot of excitement around the event,” said Dave Witt, sales manager at the Clarkston-based dealership at...

From The Oakland Press

The Banshees visit Cruise Night at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum

Wes Cogger has run a car enthusiasts’ club for more than 50 years. “We call ourselves ‘The Banshees,’ ” said Cogger of White Lake Township, who owns eight classic cars and plans to drive his 1934 Plymouth Coupe to the Walter P. Chrysler Museum’s first of three Cruise Nights (weather permitting) in ...

From The Oakland Press

Room is key to Chrysler 200 Convertible

Buyers of Chrysler’s 200 Convertible get a lot of room and style for the money. Stretching more than 16 feet long, the two-door, 2012 200 Convertible has room for four passengers — complete with a back seat that has more legroom than the back seat of a 2012 Ford Mustang Convertible. There’s a full...

Gratiot Cruise celebrates 10th birthday on Sunday

Clinton Township’s Gratiot Cruise turns 10 on Sunday and organizers will hold a special free birthday celebration for youngsters in attendance. CONTRIBUTE Story Ideas Send Corrections There will be birthday cupcakes and hats, and the “Happy Birthday” song at the beginning of each hour starting ...

Gratiot Cruise to go rain or shine on Sunday

Anyone not going to the Gratiot Cruise in Clinton Township on Sunday — organizers hope those are few — should avoid Gratiot Avenue between 14 Mile and Wellington Crescent about noon when some streets will be closed for the opening activities including a children’s pedal car ride and VIP parade. CO...

Gratiot Cruise pre-parties start

The countdown to the 10th annual Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise kicks off today as a week’s worth of pre-cruise car shows begins at Cheli’s Chili Bar with live entertainment, carside food service, a corn hole tournament, and prizes including Detroit Tigers tickets. CONTRIBUTE Story Ideas Send C...

From The Oakland Press

Royal Oak father passes on his passion for cars

Root beer floats and footlong coney dogs are not the only things luring the Herman family to the A&W in Clawson on Thursday nights. “My kids really enjoy the Cruise Nights there,” Pat Herman of Royal Oak said. Herman, an automotive supplier and “true car lover”, said he likes to involve his childr...

From The Oakland Press

Kick off weekend fun in Pontiac with classic car cruise

Your weekend fun begins on Friday. The Pontiac Downtown Business Association invites all classic car enthusiasts to the weekly Cruisers ’n’ the Loop within historic downtown Pontiac. Free reserved event parking for cruisers is provided along Saginaw Street, with assistance in parking your clas...

From The Oakland Press

Car enthusiasts revved up for Chrysler Museum Cruise Night

Wes Cogger has run a car enthusiasts’ club for more than 50 years. “We call ourselves ‘The Banshees,’” said Cogger of White Lake Township, who owns eight classic cars and plans to drive his 1934 Plymouth Coupe to the Walter P. Chrysler Museum’s first of three Cruise Nights (weather permitting) in...

From The News-Herald

WOMC coming Downriver again

Oldies radio station WOMC-FM (104.3) will again have a major presence at the 13th annual Cruisin’ Downriver and its third annual Cruisin’ Downriver Kickoff Car Show. •Beau Daniels will broadcast from 3 to 7 p.m. at the car show Thursday in the parking lots of Yack Recreation Center and Chase bank, ...

From The News-Herald

Car Shows and Cruises calendar

Car shows and cruises Submit car show listings to Joe Slezak at jslezak@heritage.com. Weekly Events •Tuesday Night Car Cruise, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Emerald Square Shopping Center, North Line at Pardee roads, Taylor. There will be 50-50 drawings, food, beverages and discounts fr...

From The News-Herald

Southern Wayne Chamber to host kickoff party

The Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber’s monthly “After Business, Ours” networking event will be a party — a ’50s Cruisin’ Downriver Kickoff Party, to be exact. While the Kickoff Car Show is running outside, the party will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Yack Recreation Center, 3131 Third St., Wy...

From The Oakland Press

Spyder 'i' concept shows both power and range

BMW showed the third prong in its electric vehicle offensive under the banner of its BMW i sub-brand in at the Beijing Auto Show in late April. Having already shown its i3 sedan and i8 coupe at the recent New York auto show, the striking i8 Spyder Concept bowed in China, showing that BMW is seriou...

From The News-Herald

Kickoff Car Show set for Thursday

The third annual Cruisin’ Downriver Kickoff Car Show will run from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the neighboring city-owned parking lots of Yack Recreation Center and Chase bank, Eureka Road at Third Street, Wyandotte. Four trophies will be presented: From the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber, The ...

From The News-Herald

Downriver Cruise set for June 30; despite construction

The show must — and will — go on. The 13th annual Cruisin’ Downriver runs from 10 a.m. to dusk June 30 despite construction on Fort Street. The route runs between Outer Drive and Sibley Road through Lincoln Park, Southgate, Wyandotte and Riverview. Although much of the construction is focused in ...

From The News-Herald

30 Cars in 30 Days: '68 Ford Galaxie

‘New’ classic car makes for happy couple

HURON TWP. — No matter how much you like your classic car, there are some reasons that you know it’s time for it to go. Rod Hopper, retired principal of Huron High School, was the proud owner of a 1966 Ford Mustang for years. Recently, it was replaced with a 1968 Ford Galaxie. “I have had the Musta...

From The Oakland Press

Want a used truck? Why not?

Buying a used truck isn’t like heading down to the used car lot and picking out a creampuff. While a vehicle’s history is always interesting and worth knowing, with a truck it’s more critical. If you’re buying a pickup truck, you probably have something you want it to do for you other than replac...

From The Oakland Press

Magic cars: With GTI, Volkswagen invented the hot hatchback

Today the concept of a small car that offers economy, some utility, and an emphasis on fun mundane, but once upon a time, that was the stuff of fantasy for American driving enthusiasts. Volkswagen had been tantalizing us for almost a half dozen years with reports of a Volkswagen Golf (we called i...

From The Oakland Press

Sales figures that might actually mean something

Fyidriving.com isn’t really interested in sales figures of the automakers because, well, business news is pretty boring when compared to giving you the goods on hot new product. Still, even fyidriving.com’s eyes grew wide with some of the June sales figures being thrown around by some car compan...

From The Oakland Press

Sales figures that might actually mean something

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From The Oakland Press

2013 Porsche 911 Carrera: Perfection at last

The Porsche 911 appears to defy all automotive and racing logic. This rear-engine-design, rear-wheel drive sports coupe hasn’t just remained unchanged in spirit for the past 49 years, all the while competing with the elite sports cars of the automotive world; it’s consistently been one of the best. ...

From The News-Herald

30 CARS IN 30 DAYS: '41 Willys

WOODHAVEN — Willys from the 1940s have long been a favorite of hot-rodders, and if you have seen Lenny Chmaj’s flamed 1941 Willys, you’d know why. Chmaj acquired his 1941 Willys a few years back by trading his 1953 Chevrolet Corvette replica for it. The Willys that Chmaj traded for features a ...

From The News-Herald

30 CARS IN 30 DAYS: '26 Tall T

WYANDOTTE — Over the years, John Payne has sat behind the wheel of more than one classic muscle car that has had his name on the title. And there’s no doubt more than one them drew stares from people as he drove by. However, none have gotten the looks of his latest his 1926 Model T, commonly know...

From The News-Herald

30 CARS IN 30 DAYS: '57 Ford Custom 300

Finding Ford Custom 300 makes owner very happy

FLAT ROCK — Pat Haener has been involved with muscle and classic cars since the mid-1970s. The 1957 Ford Custom 300 he now owns has been in his possession for more than a decade and probably will be for much longer. “I was looking at Chevelles, Camaros and Fairlanes,” Haener said. “Then I found t...

From The News-Herald

30 CARS IN 30 DAYS: '72 Chevrolet Camaro RS

Taylor resident finds classic car of his dreams

TAYLOR — Ray Hood Jr. has always been a fan of early American muscle cars and wanted one of his own. He did own a 1971 Chevrolet Nova. However, seeing as the Nova was powered by a six-cylinder engine, there wasn’t enough muscle for him and the car didn’t stick around very long. About six years...

From The News-Herald

30 CARS IN 30 DAYS: '34 Ford Sedan

Classic Ford owner is loyal to his former employer

RIVERVIEW — There are many early Fords from the 1920s and ’30s where the owners have taken the easy way out and replaced the stock engine with a small-block Chevrolet. Steve Suyak said would never think of doing anything like that. “I worked for Ford and find that they are very dependable cars...

From The News-Herald

30 CARS IN 30 DAYS: '55 Ford F-100

RIVERVIEW — Trucks always have been popular vehicles because they not only are stylish, they can be quite useful. This even applies to classic trucks. Among the more popular trucks from the past are the fat fender Ford F-100s from the 1950s. Joe Beck happens to be an owner of a 1955 Ford F-100...

Lexus throws in the towel on the nearly new HS250h

The news that Toyota’s Lexus division is canceling the HS250h hybrid sedan doesn’t exactly shock fyidriving.com. Sales of the gasoline-electric – which was new to market for the 2010 model year – failed to take off as hybrid customers have either stuck with the much thriftier Toyota Prius or spent...

From The Oakland Press

How will adding supercharger affect gas type?

Q: If I add a supercharger to my engine, how will it affect the type of gas I need to use? I have a Dodge that’s a few years old and can get a supercharger to fit it from a friend who needs the money. What will this do in the way of increasing power and how does it change the fuel requirement? — Han...

From The Oakland Press

Toyota clawing back marketshare

Fyidriving.com never believed for a second that Toyota’s recent problems with vehicle recalls and manufacturing delays related to the recent tsunami in Japan would keep the company down for long. Following a rocky 2011, Toyota is surging back so far in 2012 and is reclaiming much of its lost marke...

From The Oakland Press

Pontiac, Oakland and GMC vehicle owners are invited to attend the 23rd annual Spring Dust-Off Car Show in Davisburg

Classic car owners around the region are tuning up engines in anticipation of the 24th annual Spring Dust-Off Car Show on Saturday, June 9. The event, sponsored by Michigan Widetrackers, Chapter 16 of the Pontiac-Oakland Club International, brings out Pontiac, Oakland and GMC vehicles to the Spring...

From The Oakland Press

Show off your classic car

Show off your classic car at theoaklandpress.com and your photo may be selected for use in the print edition. The Oakland Press is seeking photos of classic cars at cruise events throughout the season. There are several ways to submit photos — email them to yourpics@oakpress.com with CruisinOC i...

From The Oakland Press

Pontiac, Oakland and GMC vehicle owners are invited to attend the 23rd annual Spring Dust-Off Car Show in Davisburg

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From The Oakland Press

Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour arrives in Michigan

Oakland and Macomb county communities are waving the starting flag for the 18th annual Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour’s arrival in Michigan as the famed automotive tour rides into the General Motors Proving Grounds in Milford this weekend. Associated events including some that start today will be held...

From The Oakland Press

Car buffs cruisin' into Pontiac

A 65-year-old General Motors Corp. retiree and his friends have started hanging out with their classic cars on Friday nights at Bo’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que. Lloyd Berry, who belongs to the Flaming Pistons Car Club, brings his 21-foot 1960 Cadillac DeVille to the downtown Pontiac restaurant after 4 p....

From The Oakland Press

Motors & Music coming to Pontiac in August

Arts and beats — and autos — will be returning to Pontiac in mid-August, alongside the Woodward Dream Cruise.

The Motors & Music festival is slated to take place Aug. 17-19 in several venues around the city, including the Phoenix Plaza Amphitheater and the Crofoot complex. In addition t...

VFW to host Car Cruise Nights on Thursdays in White Lake

Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 4156 in White Lake Township is hosting Car Cruise Nights on Thursdays beginning at 5 p.m. until Sept. 1, at 321 Union Lake Road, two miles south of M-59, seven miles north of the end of M-5. This is the 15th year for the event. Members encourage citizens to come out and...

From The Oakland Press

Cruisers return to Pontiac this weekend, May 18, 2012

Cruisers ‘N’ The Loop are coming back to downtown Pontiac this summer, beginning Friday, May 18. The weekly cruise, now in its fourth year, extends to Sept. 14. Cruisers come at 5 p.m. and can stay until dusk, said Bo Young, owner of Bo’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, host to the event. Classic cars park o...

From The Oakland Press

Teamsters' strike in Canada may severely impact American automakers

A strike by more than 5,000 Teeamsters threatens to disrupt shipments of new vehicles from General Motors, Chrysler Group LLC, Ford Motor Co., Honda and Toyota. Teamster Canada began a strike just after midnight Wednesday, May 23, after parties were unable to reach an agreement despite last minute...

From The Oakland Press

How much to convert ’99 Beetle to electric or hybrid vehicle

Q: How much do you think it would cost to convert my VW Beetle (1999) to an electric or hybrid drive? I really like the idea of doing this and am willing to go through a lot of work to get it done. Is this feasible? Where can I go to research the idea? Any idea about cost? Thanks. — Chuck in Chicag...

From The Oakland Press

Top Ten ways to boost fuel economy

10. Downgrade According to AAA, fewer than 5% of cars on the road today require premium-grade fuel, but 20% of drivers still choose premium at the pump. If your engine doesn’t require high octane fuel, don’t buy it, and you’ll save between 15 to 20% on fill-ups. 9. Keep tires properly inflated...

Are traffic-light cameras for safety or profit?

If you haven’t seen or experienced the result of cameras at intersections, you probably will soon. The Public Interest Research Group says that nearly 700 U.S. cities have them. There’s little doubt that they do reduce collisions as drivers become aware of them. But some consumer advocates are qu...

From The Oakland Press

2013 Dodge Dart brings Italian panache to American practicality

Austin, Texas – If conventional wisdom is right, Americans are embracing small cars. The compact car segment is the fastest growing segment in the U.S. market, accounting for 15 percent of car sales. This segment tends to focus on fuel economy, reliability and affordability as the primary considerat...