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Sorry, this is the first time I've been back here in awhile. Yes, the show was open to all Ford powered vehicles and even three GM's(?) the lunch cookout was for members only, though. We set up our chairs and watched a great parade of cars go by. We were at the west end of 28th Street, the big glut of shows were at or near the old Rogers Plaza with all the lots full. We left and drove east to M37 about an 8 mile trip, took an hour. This is a free event and drew appox. 15,000 special interest vehicles. This seems to a trend, as the entry fee prices rise and the economy stays flat, it appears this type of event and the free cruise-in's are getting popular. The Wed. cruise-in at Gilmores Car Museum has drawn as many as 400 plus. The Sept. 14th cruise-in is hosting the Power Tour coming into the area for the Nats. North. I think I'll save my $40 and just go to this event.

Since getting my Mustang GT, I hardly ever drive the street rod. Borgman Ford is hosting the West Michigan Mustang Club next Sat. for the 28th Street Cruise. I'll have a place to park and watch the parade go by. Have fun with the Mustang, that's what they're for.

I started the old Dodge to wash it, the car started to fill up with smoke! I turned off the ignition and pulled the hood releases. Flames shot up on the right side. I know I should have grabbed the fire extinguisher but the water hose was right there. The fire melted a vacuum line and caught the paper of the air cleaner on fire and the hood has some slight paint blistering. The culprit was a rubber fuel line that was only a year old! The line was cracked and had split open and must have sprayed the coil. This rubber crap coming from China can not be trusted. I replaced the fuel line with some hose made for fuel injection, it has a pressure lining running through the center. My stupid mistake, not doing an inspection under the hood before starting the car. In my defense, the crappy hose had one season and less than 500 miles of use.

That name is well known on all the race tracks in West Michigan and beyond. A Baker engine made the other drivers in that class a bit nervous. A great loss RIP.

Growing up on a farm, and having limited cash to spend on my ride, I wasn't above using what was available to keep my car going. But, to use barnyard cast-offs by choice, no. Can't remember anyone using those old cast iron seats in their ride. A temporary crate might be used to test your new road sign floorboard, before it got tarred into place. Then the seat went back in, girls were pretty fussy about where they sat. Let's admit it, girls were the main reason we fixed up our rides. Souped up engines were for other use that may have bordered on illegal activities. Guilty.

It was the one at Hickory Corners. The three inspectors who decided if you were allowed in, looked like they were in diapers when Bill Clinton took office, yep, that young. I also felt out of place by not wearing enough black clothing. I was a kid in the 50's and a teenager in 60's and don't remember anyone, except the Hoods dressed kinda like that. Most car guys or as my conservative neighbors called me "that * hotrodder", were usually wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt. The color of the shirt didn't matter much as it some how always got oil or grease stains on it anyway. I suppose time has caught up to me and now I'm just an old stick in the mud hotrodder. It's about time to take the Mustang GT out and harass the rat rodders, if I can find one out there.

Went to a traditional hot rod event Sunday. I was dinged for my "newer" chrome wheels, which aren't very new, and sent to the display area. That was OK with me as that parked me about where I wanted to be anyway. The car must appear to have only equipment available before 1965. There were some cars on display that were well engineered and looked to be great old school hot rods. My problem was with the ones that I wouldn't even drive out in the pasture. Some of the front suspensions looked like they would fold up under the car the first time you hit a major pot hole. It was a nice laid back event with great live entertainment, I would go again. Of course I would have to stick on those old skinny 15" wheels with spring clips showing, as I sold the hubcaps.

I was only there Friday and Sunday, but the mix of cars was pretty good. My wife likes the Mustangs and I'm drawn to the trucks. A lot of the awards went to station wagons but they were darn nice wagons! Only one(1) Marlin was spotted on the fair grounds but it was a stand out!

I don't know about attendance, and if there is something else going on in town that weekend, but I had more trouble finding a room than I have in the past.

It's Allegan County Fair week starting Friday, might be part of the room shortage.

NSRA has been crowing about attendance being up at all the events this year. In years past they have run a 4"x4" add in the Kalamazoo Gazette. This Sundays paper had an eight page full color magazine about the upcoming Nats North. I guess advertising does pay off. Added value, they did include a map of the fair grounds and where every thing will be going on. Hope they hand these out at registration, it's more informative than what we usually get.

I live 20 miles from there and it's the first time I've heard of the place. But I will recommend Scooter D's for breakfast. It is located at the corner of Mosel and Riverview, in the Kazoo suburb of Parchment. There is a new place on West Main just west of US 131 called Shifters-yep it's hot rod oriented! Haven't heard anything bad about it but I have not tried it yet.

I'll be there, if I can get all the pieces back on the old Dodge. Covered it in hot-rod black, and putting in a new headliner. With the Mustang to drive, I have not had the the ole girl yet this year. The Wed. evening cruise-in at the Gilmore Car Museum has grown to an average of 250 to 300 vehicles, and it's free and open.

How did this turn out? Pictures?

Hot and sunny with a lot of real racing. In other words it was great. AMC products are welcome to race but not in the show display area? I posted some at the following link, more coming if I have time.  

http://picasaweb.google.com/110063740327509708989/MoparDrags#

Tomorrow morning I'm heading out to the 131 Dragway for the Mopar show. The Dodge isn't ready for the public yet as a lot of interior parts a scattered around the shop. But I'm ready to to watch some big block and hemi shoot-out heads up racing. Heck, I'm not even taking a lawn chair.

I too am among the group who does not post often. Although I do come here every day and read the posts, sometimes logging in to read the throne room. My focus has moved from the Street Rod and more centered on the newer Mustang GT. Yes, I have modified the car since buying it, after all I am a HOT RODDER. The car is just plain fun to drive, gets out of it's own way and handles like it is on rails. Still, this sight is value-added due to the ideas, opinions and fellowship. It seems no matter what we drive or build this board has become a sounding ground for like minded men and women. The world would seem a very empty place without it. Oh, I did start the old Dodge yesterday, and started to put the interior back together. Soon,maybe soon!