I’m leaving before the crack of dawn Monday for Baltimore, to visit family before heading to Detroit Thursday night. So it’s time to start wrapping things up some, to the extent possible. There’s still a few loose ends, as the CC Social Events Coordinator was laid off a while back, and I’m not very good at this.
One big question: do we want to try to do the GM Heritage Center?
The key issue about the GM Heritage Center is that it’s only for groups of 30 or more, and by reservation. The question is: are there going to be 30 of us by Saturday? And do you want to shell out $20 for a private tour? I suppose if we’re shy a few, as long as the fee is paid, it’s not a big deal. But it would be good to get close to that. If you’re ready, willing and able, please let me know in the comments. I still have to contact them and see if we can get in on Saturday. It’s cheaper ($10) on Friday, but I doubt we’ll have enough of us then.
Otherwise, here’s a recap of the plans:
Friday: Greenfield Village. Congregate at the fountain out front between 9:15 – 9:45. We’ll plan to spend pretty much the whole day, and eat lunch at one of the venues. Friday night: casual socializing for those that feel like it. Location TBD.
Saturday: Sights in and around Detroit. GM Heritage Center, if we get it together. Automotive Hall of Fame. Ford’s Piquette Street Factory. And? Other than the GM (if we do it), it might not be perfectly coordinated with everyone.
Saturday night dinner and socializing: We have not picked a place. The outdoor seating at Bud’s Pizza is a real possibility, but who knows how crowded it will be. If someone in Detroit can find us a private room 20-30??, that would be great. The type of food is secondary. Once we figure it out, we’ll put up a quick notice at CC on Saturday, for those coming just to that event. My apologies for not having this planned fully in advance. I’ve been slammed…
Sunday: Henry Ford Museum. Opens at 9:30. Meet at/near entrance around then, until about 9:45 or so. Stragglers can find us. I have to peel off to catch a 4:45PM flight.
Hotel: A number of us are staying at the Dearborn Hampton Inn. We’ll be eating our breakfasts there, if you want to join us.
Contact: if you can’t find us, call or text me @ 541-55six-5789 or mail: curbsideclassic(at)gmail.com
See you there!
The GM Heritage Center sounds great.
Not to be a killjoy, but the weather forecast for Detroit this coming weekend is calling for the possibility of rain all three days. However, we’ll be inside for the bulk of the meet up so it’s likely not a big deal.
Speaking of, I need to coordinate with my chauffeur….
Well it’s pretty safe to assume I’d be down for the Heritage Center! Only problem is I won’t arrive in Detroit proper until Saturday afternoon… but if tours are available in the afternoon, i would be overjoyed!
I guess the information about GM Heritage Center would be useful for the future reference, when I search through my email about it.
The easiest way is blending into SAE members for the tour, as it’s organized regularly with plenty of openings. I somehow missed all the opportunities myself so I never went there ( even though I want to) If the individual is young enough to stay in the college, the cost would be lower with student price. Membership for the adults is higher at $83, compared to students at $25. And the tour is $25 for everyone.
The details for the even can be found here.
https://www.sae-detroit.org/event-details/?id=234
And registration is here
https://www.sae-detroit.org/register/?id=234
However the closest opening is on June 14.
GM Heritage Center? Are you sure they will let “The Deadly Sin People” In? 🙂
Maybe someday I could attend a meet up. Now on the other hand. A rear view of the Le Sabre! Wow. For years I had seen photos of this car, but for some reason the rear was never shown until recently. The forward canted, flat top fins and the small Dagmar front end were used on my ’57 Cadillac. That jet thrust rear end tube reminds me of my ’71 Riviera. Is the “Y” job also housed at that museum. I like that car more than the Le Sabre, especially the pointed boat tail.
Wow is right! The instant I saw the picture I assumed it was the LeSabre, and your comment reminded me that I have probably never seen a rear view of it. Maybe it’s the sort of boat tail that says Buick to me instead of Cadillac or another GM marque.
DaveB, did you know that LeSabre has (has?) sort of a hi-tech rear-view “mirror” I guess it’d be called but it wasn’t a mirror.
Not sure now if it was primitive electronics or advanced mirror/periscope tech. I saw it demonstrated. Nifty.
Originally saw the photo on my phone, now I see the car has LeSabre on the plate!
My understanding is the LeSabre is from 1951, and had some pretty amazing attempts at new technology. I thought from the past that it had rain sensing wipers, but from the Wiki, it appears that it has water sensors to activate the convertible top. Either way, it was attempting some technology that took another 50 years to make it into serious production consideration.
Paul, I’m now 95% certain to be there for Friday’s activities–Greenfield Village fountain a.m. meetup. (There was some talk of trying to all park in a certain corner of the lot—is that still a thing?) Can’t stay for Saturday/Sunday, but hope Heritage Center Plans work out. Looking forward to this!
Count me in for the GM tour!
I’m up for the GM museum. To put things in perspective, the $20/person Saturday admission is less than either Greenfield Village or the Ford Museum. Besides, I have never been at the GM facility.
Weather forecast:
Channel 2 is calling for AM showers on Friday, heavy overcast and showers Saturday and cloudy and humid on Sunday. High temps in the low 70s.
Channel 7 is calling for AM showers on Friday and “plenty of sun” on Saturday.
Channel 4 is calling for sunny with 0% chance of rain and highs in the mid 70s all three days.
Buddy’s has an area that is semi-walled off from the rest of the restaurant so it’s a little quieter, but it gets a lot of traffic as it’s also the path to the patio area. As of right now, not reserved for Saturday evening. 313-562-5900
The Ten Eyck Tavern at the Dearborn Inn apparently has a private room but the girl who answered the phone did not know if it could accommodate 25 people. 313-271-2700
This is the menu for the Ten Eyck. http://www.marriott.com/hotelwebsites/us/d/dtwdi/dtwdi_pdf/TET_fall-winter_2016-2017__winter_menu.pdf
Weather update: as of 6pm tonight, channel 4 is calling for scattered thunderstorms on Friday.
Andiamo in West Dearborn has banquet facilities, but it’s a bit pricey.
http://andiamoitalia.com/dearborn/
Well its a crying shame for me that this isn’t a week later. I start my internship with GM June 5th and will be driving out there over from Pennsylvania this Friday and Saturday and busy moving in and preparing much of the weekend. I may be lucky enough to join you at the Henry Ford Museum, but I hope you all can enjoy yourselves the other days.
If you have a Bank of America credit/debit card, you can get free admission to the HF and Greenfield Village on June 3rd and 4th.
Been to the GM Heritage Center, not sure I’d go back. Lots of cars, no particular theme.
GM tour sounds ok.
Hopefully the weather is good, but realistically we are still too far out to get a reliable forecast.
Exactly. As my friends and I used to say of Michigan, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.”
I’m in for GM center. I’m going to run with the Windsor forecast, which shows a mix of sun and cloud for next weekend. Looking forward to Paul’s disguise for the GM tour.
Still working on the VW. Tranny oil change yesterday and the new alternator is supposed to arrive on Tuesday.
Alternator arrived Monday. If you’ve never owned an aircooled VW, it’s a miserable job. I hope I can be done in time.
It could be worse, you could be changing the water pump on a Chrysler 2.7…
Hugely jealous but I can’t get away from work just yet with the school year closing. You guys have a blast and keep us posted!
I’m booked for Friday only, so unfortunately no Heritage Center for me. Have to get my kid graduated from high school Saturday.
Looking forward to Greenfield Village and that Model T ride!
Yes to the GMHC for me. Sounds interesting.
I’m up for the GMHC if it works out. Arriving late Thursday, heading home Sunday afternoon.
I thought I could make it to one thing or another. But it looks like my whole weekend is filled with prior commitments.
I’m up for gm heritage center also. Will be down for the day Sat, so please post gathering time and place once decided, thanks!
Those concept cars from the 50s are absolutely stupid looking, idiotic in every way possible. What in the heck was polluting the water tablet that those so called stylists consumed in those forgettable days of automobile history?
What rock have you been hiding under, Clarence?
Have you seen the rear fins and zig-zaggy taillights on a new Prius? RIGHT out of the late 1950s.
Everything that’s old is new again.
I’m hoping that Clarence is actually our tour guide at the GMHC 🙂
Greetings from Rochester NY! I’m on my way… GMHC sounds good here. Don’t forget your phone this time, Paul!
I can be tricked into the GMHC, but can you schedule it first to avoid driving to/fro the Dearborn area if other local venues are also on the list?
If we can get the numbers to get into the Heritage Center, I’d love to do so. I haven’t been inside there since I was 8 (or therabouts).
See you all there on Saturday and Sunday (Friday is fully booked for me, with school not helping at all).
I’m in for Greenfield Village on Friday and the social event on Saturday night, but can’t do the rest. Will be checking back to see where Saturday night’s thing will end up. Looking forward to seeing everyone.
I was really looking forward to seeing you all there but due to unforeseen circumstances I will not be making the trip from Chicago to Detroit. I hope you all have a great time!
I see only about 13 yeas here for the GMHC, so we’re going to have to pass, as the minimum is 30.
I should’ve replied yes on GMHC. I’ve been in it, you all would have liked—several nice “Curbside Classics”, including a 66 Chevrolet sedan (but not 65!), a 69 Corvair with 3 miles, and a Vega, in addition to more ‘storied’ GM products.
If you can’t get 30 though, you can’t get 30….
You’ll like Henry Ford Museum
I hope to catch up with you.
Unfortunately I won’t be able to do Friday’s events. I was supposed to be off all this week, but I am attending a conference out of town next week, so vacation was curtailed and I’ll be working.
GM Heritage Center would be really neat, and I’m hoping it’s still on! I’ll talk to Mr. X and see if we’ve booked anything.