One of the very best small town car shows is just around the corner.
Be sure to check out the Kingston Days Car Show in Kingston, Mich., Saturday August 28.
This car show is different than the rest. There aren't any trophies, bu lots of door prizes.
All entrants will receive a professional photograph of them and their car -- that's worth the $10 entry. Fifty percent of the gate goes to a drawing. A Soring Eagle package door prize and lots of friendly town folk along with a big old tractor show are offered.
If you want to have some fun, meet me and a few of our friends at the BP station on Lapeer Road, just north of Dryden Road in Metamora. We will leave at 10 a.m. sharp for the smooth 45 minute drive to Kingston.
Also, meet Ed at Sundance Diner just north of BP at 9:15 a.m. for breakfast or 10 a.m. sharp to start the cruise to Kingston.
Please let me know if you are interested,

Ed.

Head to Milan Dragway Aug. 27-29 for two big shows, including a Car Show and Muscle Car drags in Milan , Mich.

http://www.nmcadigital.com/events/event6.php

Forgive me for going over this again, but if I’m made king one of the first laws will be that no one can travel outside our country until you have visited every state in America first.

And, I have personally done this in a van on a good part of those wonderful driving trips.

I may not return this weeks Dodge Grand Caravan, and just head west. Offer me a months use of a new Corvette or this van for a road trip and the Dodge Grand Caravan is the winner.

Comfort and utility is the biggest reason to own a van like this Dodge, and I have driven them all. And, the Dodge Grand Caravan and its other Chrysler siblings are the best of any make in any price range. Chrysler started out with the best vans twenty-five years ago, and they have never lost my top ranking.

About every innovation incorporated onto these vans have come from the Chrysler engineers. It seems every year they come up with something so usable that you may wonder when they will run out of ideas. The “Stow’-n-Go” feature would be the option I would need most. Being able to make the second row bucket seats disappear under the floor is one trick the other van companies are still trying to figure out how to do. Roll out your sleeping bag and enjoy a good snooze. The third row seats can be power tilted or even stowed at floor level.

Or, if you have kids maybe the “Swivel’ n Go” feature is best, but I have asked one owner with children about the “Swivel’ n Go” and he said it was not as useful as the “Stow’ n Go” feature would have been. The family van becomes a party room with the second row bucket seats are “swiveled” 180 degrees to face the third row seats, and also a small stow-a-way table can be mounted in the center of the party. This assuming your offspring all get-along.

Dual screen DVD video players with separate head phones can keep the little ones occupied or even the optional live TV Disney channel plus the cartoon and Nickelodeon channels. Other kid channels are available. Stereo and iPod connections are back there and up front too. Something I like to use on long drives. But, there is a 30 gigabyte storage hard drive inside that stereo system so I could load nearly every song I have ever heard.

Generally I don’t advise buying the factory navigation systems, but the Dodge nav with all of the other many features is $909, and that is the best price I have seen to date. Its about half of other navs that don’t offer nearly as many of the Dodge features. So, I would order it this time.

A power up and down cargo gate makes loading arms full of stuff easier. And, power sliding side doors are handy too. All can be done with the keyless remote. If the van is not big enough the SXT model can tow a 3,800-pound trailer. The base model SE can pull a 1,800-pound trailer. There are so many equipment options, plan on spending some time with the Dodge salesperson, because its a long list of  possibilities to be considered depending on how the Grand Caravan will be used.

Our test model had about every option available, and that ran the delivered price to about $40,000. The base price was $27,630. But, consider this: The SXT is the top of the line with the bigger 4-liter V-6 engine and 6-speed front-wheel drive transmission. And, if you can’t make a better deal than our test price get someone to go with you to the dealer to help.

Cruising down the road to some distant location in the Grand Caravan is a joy in itself. The ride quality is as good or better than an ultra luxury sedan. The bucket-type seats are comfortable and highly power adjustable. The pedals are even power adjustable; something my short lady co-driver needs. And, don’t forget all that room inside; plenty of elbow room for everyone. The center console slides toward the rear seats to make more room if needed. Drink holders are all over the place, and none more than a short reach away. There are six in the front passenger area. This van has more cubby holes and places to fill with travel junk than any other van known.

Pack up the family and see America in comfort.

Check out the video at The Oakland Press

By Carol Hopkins 
As a regular customer at Bryan’s Neighborhood Coney in Waterford, Frank Kinnison has gotten to know the staff, including a 19-year-old dishwasher named Robert Haines.
Out of the blue recently, Kinnison, a fan of older cars his entire life, surprised Haines with a gift of a lifetime — a mint-condition 1972 Chevy Nova.
“He’s a hard-working kid,” said Kinnison, 57. “He works at two restaurants. He works his rear end off. I admire him.”
Said a grateful Haines, “It still hasn’t sunk in, to be honest.”
Kinnison has been a customer at the restaurant on Elizabeth Lake Road for the past six months.
Just over a year ago, Kinnison purchased the bright orange Nova, a car he calls  a “hot rod.”
“It was just sitting in my garage,” he said.
Kinnison collected diecast cars all his life.
“My wife was a doll collector and I admired old, old cars,” he said.
In 2007 Kinnison was in a car accident and nearly died. He credits his wife, whose nickname was “Squeeze,” with helping him recover.
“I’m like a cat with nine lives,” said Kinnison, who now walks with a cane.
Sadly, Cheryl died in March 2009.
“I miss my wife more than anything,” said Kinnison who now often has his breakfast at Bryan’s Coney.
One recent morning Kinnison said he turned to Haines, and said, “I’m going to give a car away. Come and get it in 20 minutes.”
Haines remembered his reaction.
“I said, ‘Oh yeah.’ ”
Then Kinnison said a short time later, “Rob, you’ve got 10 minutes.”
Bryan Marotz, Haines’ boss and the restaurant’s owner, told Haines to go with Kinnison.
“’We’ll cover for you,’” Haines recalls his boss saying.
Haines drove over to Kinnison’s home and the older man had the Nova’s title out ready to sign.
Haines signed and went out to the garage and got the car.
“(Kinnison said) just take care of it,” Haines said.
Haines — who just got his driver’s license about eight months ago — said his father had older cars.
“I’m not the most knowledgeable but my dad is teaching me,” he said. “I’m going to learn now.”
The young dishwasher sounds thrilled to own the sporty-looking car, which he estimated is worth $20,000.
“It’s gonna stay in my garage and not know what rain is,” he said.
Haines did hope he could drive the car in this year’s Woodward Dream Cruise.
“I’ve never had anything given to me. (Kinnison) is one great guy.”
Kinnison is positive he made the right choice in selecting the Nova’s new owner.
“He works six days a week,” Kinnison said. “He deserves to have this car.”

Contact staff writer Carol Hopkins at 248-745-4645 or carol.hopkins@oakpress.com. Follow her on Twitter @waterfordreport.

By EDWARD NOBLE

Andy Stamevski will open his totally remodeled Lounge & Pub this Saturday. The former Kalloways has been totally remodeled, but the regular Tuesday night cruise continued even though the dinning room was not in use.
An upscale menu and sports lounge is featured in with a all new atmosphere.
Located just north of downtown Oxford on Lapeer Rd. Chardonnay will feature fancy breads and a full menu.

June 26 10 a.m. - 4 .p.m.

Check out the Lapeer Country Cruise, June 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event also offers free ice cream. Lapeer Rd. North of Dryden Rd. in Metamora.

There is also a Classic Car, Bike Show and Swap Meet July 3, starting at 10 a.m. and running until 4 p.m.  For more information, call 810-678-8350. Lapeer Rd North of Dryden Rd Metamora

The streets were packed with beautiful cars, and people relaxed with some good food and an ice cream soda at Dogwood and Blondie's.

June 19: 6th Annual Canterbury Corvette Fest
Olde World Canterbury Village
2369 Joslyn Rd
Auburn Hills, Mi
248-975-6580
Hosts: GMC Corvette Set

June 19: Preacher's Car Show and Family Fun Day
N. Auburn Hills Baptist Church
3889 N Squirrel Rd.; 9 - 2 pm
248-340-5910

June 20: 23rd Annual Eyes on Design
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
1100 Lake Shore Rd; 10 - 4:30 pm
Grosse Pointe Shores, Mi
313-824-4710
eyesondesigncarshow.com

June 23: Walter P Chrysler Musueaum
Cruisnews Photo Shoot Extreme Performance
One Chrysler Dr.; 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Auburn Hills, Mi
248-944-0001
wpchryslermuseum.org

June 26: Lapeer Country Cruise
25 Mile Cruise on Lapeer; Noon to 9 pm
Road through Lake Orion,
Oxford, Metamora & Lapeer
LapeerCountryCruise.com

June 26-27: 38th Sloan Museum Summer Auto Fair
1221 E. Kearsley St; Sat 9-6 pm - Sun 9-5 pm
Flint, Mi
810-237-3450; SloanAutoFair.com

June 27: 33rd Anniversary Easy Rodders Car Show
Crossroads Plaza
16 Mile & Van Dyke; 9 - 3 pm
Sterling Hts., Mi
586-206-7558

July 2-3: 9th Annual Marshall's Cruise to the Fountain
Calhoun County Fairgrounds
Marshall, Mi
269-781-8161; 800-877-5163
calhouncourntyfair.org

July 7: Walter P Chrysler Museum
Cruise Night Dealers Choice
One Chrysler Dr: 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Auburn Hills, Mi

Nostalgia  Super Stock racer Rich Killian, from Orland Park, Ill., has suffered a  tremendous setback this past Memorial Day Weekend. On May 31st, his  Bamboo Cream 1962 Catalina Racecar was stolen, along with the enclosed trailer  that it was stored in.
The  theft took place in the parking lot of Rick’s Racecraft in Yorkville, Illinois.  The Catalina can be identified by the cream-colored paint, red Ventura interior  and “Super Chief” graphics on the rear quarter panels. 
The 535  cubic-inch Pontiac engine is rather unique and is based on an IA-2 Pontiac  block, Edelbrock heads and a Wenzler intake manifold. Photos of it are provided  for identification purposes.
The  Catalina is registered and street-legal, with Illinois antique car plates. The  license number is 62INJN (Illinois Antique) and the VIN is 962W2877. The trailer  is a white 28-foot Haulmark with “ARC Environmental Engineering” logos on the  sides. Its license number is 65591TD (Illinois) and its VIN is  16HGB28217H156139.
A  trailer fitting this description was spotted headed east on Route I-94 headed  east about 1:00 pm Sunday May 30thbetween Kalamazoo and Marshall.   U.S. and Canadian customs and border patrol authorities have been  notified. Any leads or other information would be greatly appreciated. Please  call Rich Killen at (708) 460-7373.

Six Very Special Corvettes have been consigned to the Mecum Bloomington Gold Auction that takes place on June 25th and 26th at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois.

They are as follows:

1. Lot #S111, 1955 Corvette Harvest Gold, 3 sp. Body-off restored by Wayne Davis of Texas. One of 75 with 3 speed. One of 120 in Harvest Gold. NCRS Top Flight June 2010. VIN #VE55S001102.
See photos at ProTeamCorvette.com/cars/1012B.htm.

2. Lot #S128, 1960 Corvette "All Business" 290 hp fuelie. T-10 transmission, 4:11 posi, metallic brakes, off road exhaust and heater/radio delete. "All Business" was invited and judged at the 2009 Meadowbrook Concours d'Elegance and was Bloomington Gold certified in 2009. This is the Best of the Best!!! VIN #00867S109498. See photos at ProTeamCorvette.com/cars/1043B.htm.

3. Lot #S144, 1967 Corvette 435 Convertible, 39,800 actual miles. Original • unrestored • unmolested. Original body and paint. Original interior. Original engine and engine compartment. Original chassis and undercarriage. One of one in White paint/Green interior/435. Washington State College football color scheme. Bloomington Gold certified. NCRS Top Flight certified. Triple Crown award in 2007. Documentation includes: window sticker, tank sticker, car shipper copy, warranty book/P.O.P., full owner history, judging awards, 2 huge 3-ring binders. VIN #194677S114959.
See photos at ProTeamCorvette.com/cars/PRC.22.htm.

4. Lot #S146, 1981 Corvette Beige/Dark Bronze two-tone , 3,000 actual miles. Bloomington Survivor 2009. Bloomington Gold 2009. Bloomington Benchmark 2009. NCRS Regional Top Flight 2009. Bowling Green VIN #72. VIN #1G1AY8762B5100072. See photos at ProTeamCorvette.com/cars/PRC40.htm.

5. Lot #S147, 1993 Corvette ZR1 Ruby Red 40th Anniversary, 2,500 actual miles. One of 245. NCRS Top Flight 2009. Has window sticker. VIN #1G1YZ23J2P5800250.
See photos at ProTeamCorvette.com/cars/PRC.41.htm.

6. Lot #S148, 1995 Corvette Pace Car Convertible. One owner car, 53 actual miles. Fully documented. VIN #1G1YY32P3S5113141. See photos at ProTeamCorvette.com/cars/1041B.htm.

Bloomington Gold Corvette Certification... takes place on June 24th (Survivor), June 25th (Gold and Benchmark), June 26th (all makes/all models Survivor Collector Car certification) and several special cars from the ProTeam Personal Reserve will participate.
They are as follows:
1. 1971 Silver/Red LS6 Export Convertible - Survivor certification, June 24th
2. 1968 Red/Red L88 Convertible - Gold certification, June 25th
3. 1969 Green L88 T-Top - Zenith Survivor certification, June 27th
4. 1972 White 3,000 Mile Convertible - Freeze Frame Survivor certification, June 27th
5. *1969 Gold 390 hp Convertible - Rip Van Winkle Display, June 27th
* The Rip Van Winkle Display consists of cars that have been sleeping (in storage) for a long time (decades in some cases) that will be displayed as found. Come to Bloomington Gold and help us wake up this sleeping beauty that we have not even cleaned-off the barn dirt or windows... displayed truly "as found" in Colorado! For more information of all facets of the "Granddaddy of all Corvette Shows".
Go to BloomingtonGold.com or SurvivorCollectorCar.com.

Airway Lanes hosts a Classic Car Cruise Night from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesdays through the end of August. The lanes are located at 4825 Highland Road in Waterford. Call 248-674-0424.

Dr. Doo Wop, Roman Franklin,  hosts a radio show with an Oldies theme on WPON AM 1460 from 6-8 p.m. Mondays LIVE from O'Tooles in Waterford with a cruise night car show. Cruisers are invited to come to the restaurant at 4000 Cass Elizabeth Road for a fun evening.

My name is Walt Wheeler and I live in Oxford. My classic cruiser is a triple black 1973 Dodge Challenger 440. I acquired this car after donating my 1970 Road Runner  to WCSX's Stone Soup Project in 2004. I cruise to all of the classic car shows in Lake Orion, Oxford and Metamora, and participate in the Lapeer Road Country Cruise. I own Royal Autosound and Security in Oxford, installing car stereos and developing custom audio systems for classic cars.

The soon to be available Fisker sedan was on display at Saturn of Clarkston, which will be one of the few dealers to sell the all-electric drive luxury sedan. It takes a big deposit to get in line for the limited production that will start in Finland early next year. Get your wallet out for a starting price of about $88,000.
In my opinion, this is a beautiful sedan and the all leather interior is without equal. The two electric motors at 403HP electric drive system is supplemented with a 260 HP General Motors 2.0 liter ECOTEC gas engine. It’s no dog with 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds. A 300 mile range is possible with the first 50 or so miles on all battery power. The gas engine will then start to recharge the battery. A six hour charge at 220 volts will bring the batteries up to full charge.

I will test drive one of the first Fiskers delivered at Saturn of Clarkston next year.

Bob Petrusha, of Ortinville, was the big winner of the Heritage Rod & Custom car show in Rochester.

One of the first major car shows of the year is held in the Rochester City park. Bob received the "big" check for $ 1,000.

Also a show winner jacket and trophy. Ashley Zimmerman, 5, (right) was the presenter.

One of the finest locations for a car show is the Heritage Rod & Custom Show in the Rochester's municipal park. The big show is held on the last weekend on May each year.

About 200 cars were in 2010 show. Plenty of green grass to park on Paint Creak for cooling off, and plenty of displays.