car buff news issue #3

2 www.carbuffnews.com

| July/August 2009

I First Saw ‘29 Ford ......................................4

Mid Michigan Modern Muscle Car Club ...6

It’s Red, Sleek and Fast ...............................8

Malibu Tom ................................................10

Engine Builder Urban Finds Way to Bring Racing Power, Fuel Efficiency Together ..13

July/August Calendar ...............................14

The Mustang Brothers ..............................16

Before & After Mustangs ..........................19

Back to the Bricks ......................................19

The Story of ’Lil Walnut Lizzie ..................24

The White and Red Beauty ......................28

Dining Guide .............................................30

2008 Mustang GT and 1964½ Mustang

of July/AugustFeatured Cars

8 10 28

what’s inside

Meet the Staff

Ron Burch, Publisher and Chief Sales Consultant

Gale Burch, Publisher and Writer/Editor

Carolyn Sheltraw, Production Layout/Graphics

Dear Readers,

If you would like to share your club or group events, photos and stories, please email them to: [email protected]. You can also call Ron and Gale Burch at (810) 736-8507. We would love to see your car and story in Car Buff News. There is no cost to be published. If we print your story and photo, you’ll receive a complimentary issue by mail. Just include your complete address with your story. We do not discriminate on the basis of make, model, breed, or creed. This publication is for anyone who loves cars…any cars! All you have to do is send us your info. We will also print your lists of upcoming events for your car club or organization.

If you need to get more exposure for your business, we have advertising spaces available at very affordable rates. Call us for rate information and availability. Get your business ad in on the ground floor and grow with us!

Sincerely, Ron and Gale Burch Owners and Editors of Car Buff News

2952 Carr St. | Flint, MI 48506 | Phone # (810) 736-8507

Notice: Car Buff News would like to apologize to the businesses of downtown Davison for the inconveniences that may have occurred due to the incorrect start time of the Cruize posted in our May/June calender.

Featured Cars

Community Living Services August 8, 2009

City of Westland August 22, 2009

Wayne Rotary August 29, 2009

United Way ofGenesee County is the forefront of uniting people, developing resources and creating solutions to advance the common good. As a leader in performance-based philanthropy, United Way is focused on creating long-lasting changes. When you donate to United Way you are investing in Genesee County’s Youth, Families, Older Adults and Basic Needs (food, clothing and shelter). When we all come together, we can accomplish more than any single group can on its own.

Did you know that the United Way, with the UAW and General Motors, has built over 4,000 accessibility ramps for individuals with disabilities throughout Genesee, Lapeer, and Shiawassee Counties. We are averaging three calls a day inquiring about our Ramp Program. As your UAW Liaisons, we coordinate the program and work with all the dif-ferent agencies to find assistance for those in need.

The Ramp Program provides assistance to disabled citizens through the construction of residential ramps. UAW/GM-Delphi volunteers and United Way respond to requests from those who need accessibility for their home. Because of the skill and generosity of dedicated UAW members, the Ramp

Program volunteers make it possible for relatives, friends and neighbors to go to doctor appointments,

church, run errands, visit friends and relatives, and have an active lifestyle.

If you need assistance or would like to volunteer, or make a contribution to the Ramp Program, contact Joe Niedz-wiecki or Gene Ridley @ United Way of Genesee County, 810.762.5831.

Car Buff News is a proud contributor to the United Way of Genesee County. When you spend your advertising dollars

with Car Buff News, a portion of those dollars go directly to the United Way for the Ramp

Program. Car Buff News hopes, with your help, to build more ramps for the individuals with disabilities in

our area. We are proud to be a sponsor of this fine program!Give. Advocate. Volunteer.

Live United.


Ron Daup and I were at a car show being held on the infield at MIS Speedway. The show was put on by the Onsted Kiwanis Club. Participants had the option of taking laps around the track after the show. WHO can resist that opportunity? Ron had a ’26 Ford Model T, 2 door sedan and I had a ’27 Ford coupe back then.

I explained to Ron what the rules were, since I had attended this show the previous year and had taken the laps. And was that a BLAST!

Anyway, I told Ron that we could exceed the 70 mph speed limit, but we had to be cautious and not to get crazy.. Well, coming into turn 3 at approximately 115 mph I looked in the mirror and saw this orange 29 coming upon me. It was Gene Alumbaugh in that ’29 and that was the first time I saw this car. I knew Gene and was familiar with the quality of his work. He built this car, the ’29.

Over the years I watched the car and spoke with Gene frequently about the car and took numerous pictures of

I First Saw the ’29 Ford

www.carbuffnews.com 5

it. One day I said to Gene, “You want to sell that car?” Gene said, “You want to buy it?’ I told him I did want to buy it, but would rather sell the truck I had first, a ’48 Ford pickup. Gene told me, “you’ve taken so many pictures of it you should buy it.”

Gene went on to say that he had no plans of selling it to anyone else. At the end of the year a fellow from Milwaukee, Wisconsin bought my truck at the NSRA show in Kalamazoo. I called Gene and picked up the car on September 22, 2007. That was approximately 3 years after the first time I saw the car.

It is an all steel body car. It has a 350 Chevy with aluminum heads and is bored .30. It has a 9˝ Ford rearend with a 3:73 gear ratio. The transmission is a GM 400

Turbo. The color is 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Hugger Orange. It has been an excellent car.

I like chrome and like it a lot. Since purchasing the car I have added a chrome air cleaner, chrome carburetor, chrome intake, chrome valve covers, and chrome wire looms. The car did not have a hood when I purchased it and I decided to add a hood to the car plus changing the grill shell insert.

I must add that along the way, Ron Daup, John Olay, and Verle Wetherwax have given me a lot of help and I appreciate it very much. I’ve driven the car approxi-mately 12,000 miles and it hasn’t missed a beat. And—I see 12,000 more.


Our club was started in 2007 by myself, Lance Wilson. I am the President and founder. We are a Michigan Domestic Non Profit corporation. The club was formed for the countless people with cars that are often times considered too new to get into certain shows or cruises. Our criteria for membership is that a car must be model year 1973 or newer, rear wheel drive, American (Ford, GM, Chrysler Product), it must have a V-8 engine or a V-6 with a Turbo or a Supercharger (like the Buick Grand National or the Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe). We currently have 36 cars in the club. Our dues for membership are only $24.00/year. Our club website is www.MidMichiganModernMuscle.com

As a club we put on the cruise at Johns Pizzeria every Tuesday night. This cruise is open to any American car or truck of any age. We also run the 3 Cruisin Under The Stars events per year our next two are July 24th and August 28th.

They run from 8:00pm -11:00pm. We also have done things together like going to Ubly Dragway to run our cars, we have members that are into autocrossing and we may do an autocross together as a club. We go to shows together and have taken our cars to a retirement home for the residents to view. We try to promote good community service when-ever possible. We usually do a fall event like a color tour. We have members who are single and members who have fami-lies and we try to make everything we do family friendly. We are always looking for good people to become new members. Since we are a non profit and our dues are low we always welcome sponsorship or donations to the club. If anyone is interested in becoming a member or interested in becoming a sponsor they can contact me through our website or by calling (810) 348-6045.

They call him the Chicken Hawk Jr.

Jacob Thom, 13 years old from Mt. Morris, is an Auto City Speed Way Hornet Division Driver. In his 1997 Dodge Neon (4 cylinder car), Jacob took the checkered flag in his first race! Wow! He had to have loved that feeling! Also his fourth race was a feature win! Great job!

Mid Michigan Modern Muscle Car Club

BREAKFAST ANYTIME


The Candy Man

That’s what they call Robert Dickey from Saginaw. A 63 year old Legends car, former street stock (Bridge-port area) driver, Dickey has told Car Buff News, “It’s time to let it go.” July 11th will be the end of his 45 years of racing. Dickey told us, “It hurts to have to say goodbye.”

Robert Dickey with his #40 Legends car with a 900 cc Honda Engine.

$$$ Buying 810-787-21205806 N. Dort Hwy., Flint, MI

We SPONSOR: #8 Rick Osborn – ProLate #69 Brad McGeathy – Sportsman#73 “Buddy” Brad McGeathy, Jr. – Sportsman#X22 Drew Goodrich – Street Stock

Catalytic Convertors•Aluminum Rims•A/C Pumps•

Starters•Scrap •

Alternators•Radiators•Trannies•** And More **

BRAD’S AuTO CORe

Brad810-240-9555

Drew810-397-4388

Vic810-250-1405

Tom810-241-2356


The Ford GT sits a powerhouse of speed and beauty in the driveway of the Chomin famly home in Tawas City. Gary Chomin’s son Daniel spotted the 2005 Ford GT at the Thelen Ford-Mercury dealership in Standish first, but it was Gary who drove the deal home. Actually, the mid-engine machine was trailered home and kept in pristine condition as an investment. As owner of Advance Machine Corporation for more than 25 years Gary had finally paid off the CNC equipment in his prototype parts and short production run shop and was ready to relive his youth.

The supercharged Ford GT brought back memories of his first car, a candy apple red 1967 Ford GT Mustang,

bought at age 16. That’s where the like father, like son comes in. Daniel’s first car was a red 1999 Ford Mustang GT convertible purchased at age 16 just like his father but 40-some years later. The 390 cu.in. V8 engine with 4-speed manual transmission earned Gary a couple of speeding tickets back then but this 550 hp GT with 5.4 liter super-charged DOHC V8 with 6-speed remains untested except for the 6 miles put on by Ford.

The Ford GT was one of a limited production from 2005 to 2006 and definitely would remain a collector’s item. The Chomin car was number 1045 of only 4033 built. Making it even more rare is the fact it is one of approxi-

It’s red, sleek and fast –

And a father’s and son’s dream


mately 250 cars with CNC machined control arms made from a billet of aluminum. Gary played a special role in the making of the car as his shop machined parts for the Ford GT on the CNC lathe.

Gary believes the Ford GT is history in the making as the 2005 vehicle is an updated version of the racing car that beat Ferrari in 1966 in LeMans.

“It’s a piece of history being the LeMans car,” said Gary Chomin.

The enthusiasm of Gary and Daniel is contagious.“Ford took it to LeMans, a 24-hour race, and ended

up killing everyone for 3 or 4 years straight,” said Daniel. Twin red racing stripes flash across the Detroit supercar with ebony interior. Made in Troy, Michigan with body by Saleen, the car received its fiery engine at the Ford Wixom plant and can be boosted. The mid-engine two-seater is capable of rocketing along challenging roads with hairpin turns or motoring to the grocery store, but the Chomins pamper the car which still has plastic covering the steering wheel.

Gary researched the value of the 1967 mustang he paid around $3,000 for brand new that would have sold for $100,000 in today’s market. That’s why he’s kept the original price sticker, owner’s manual and documentation as well for the Ford GT estimated at 21 MPG highway.

You just touch the gas pedal and the tires start to spin,” said Gary Chomin.

“It’s very, very fast,” added Daniel, “but I love it because it’s beautiful.”

Gary tells the story about the car’s ability to attract attention of passersby even when not on the road. The shiny red Ford GT is equipped with Goodyear Eagle 18-in. tires in front, 19-in. in back and lightweight forged aluminum wheels all around.

“The dealership asked us to bring the cover for the car when it was brought in for an oil change because everyone would stop and stare and they were wasting too much time answering questions about the car,” said Gary Chomin.

The Ford GT has a way of making fast friends whether of strangers or of family.

It’s red, sleek and fast –

Story by Linda Ann ChominPhotos by Daniel Chomin


Malibu Tom by Katherine Malette

om Burns has been doing restoration and other work on cars his whole life. It’s of no surprise that when we met up with Tom he had multiple cars and projects underway. One of his project cars was a 1932 Chevy Coupe. Tom purchased the car in 2007 and has put additional updates into it as well as the typical restoration. This car has a 350 motor from a 1968 Vette, 2 speed manual Valvebody Power Glide tranny, 5 window design, and Camaro rearend. Assisting Tom in the restoration and building of this car was Coby Gardener out of St. Johns Michigan. The best thing Tom said he enjoyed about this car is that it is “just an old ’32 Chevy.”

Tom Burns has also earned the nickname “the Malibu man” for his love of the 1978-81 style Chevy Malibu. The Malibu pictured is a 1980 which has undergone a complete restoration. Tom located this particular car in the Flint Journal’s Wise Buys section listed for $1,800. The lady he made the purchase from was the original owner from Flushing, Michigan. Amazingly Tom has the original sales sticker and paperwork for this car and interest-ingly we discovered that she was purchased on November 28, 1980 from Applegate Chevrolet for $5,682.40.

T

10 www.carbuffnews.com Photos by Gerry Stiles


This 1980 Malibu, which weighs in at only 2,980 lbs(these cars were very light for their time) has the original black vinyl interior, bench seat, and the dog-dish hub caps. The car has gone through some major work since Tom has taken ownership. She has had a ground-up frame-on restoration and been painted the original 1980 color Cinnabar. The car also has a Grand National rear end under it. Tom, with the assistance of Jim Curtis, built the 350 CI motor (cut .30 over to make it a 355) and complimented it with a 4 speed. He also had assistance from Jim Parks and Terry Sims on the rest of the restoration project.

Tom says that the Malibu is currently his “baby” until the next better one comes along. He has another project in the works which also happens to be a Malibu.

Come to the 5th Annual Otterlake Motor Vehicle Extravaganza! Sunday July 19, 2009 from 9am to 3pm.


Established, Family Owned and Operated since 1966

Visit us at JohnsPizzeriaDavison.com for money-saving coupons!

Johns Pizzeria in Davison has a great family atmosphere with friendly staff to ensure you have the best dining experi-ence possible. We have a full bar includ-ing wine, cold beer and cocktails. Both of our dining rooms are smoke free. Smoking is available in the bar area only.

If you can’t make it in to see us, give us a call to place your order, or come into our take out area located on the west side of the building and place your order, as we have all of our food items available for you to take back to your home. Sorry, delivery is not available. Please call ahead for reservations, and we will be glad to see if we can accommodate your party. Our number is (810) 653-4119.

Johns Pizzeria is also able to offer you great prices and great food for any event you may have, such as open houses, birthday parties, showers, ect. We offer party sized antipastos, lasagna, spaghetti or mostaccioli, (baked or regular) and breadsticks, just ask our friendly staff, we’d be happy to help!


1000 HP + @20 MPG By Christine Snyder, Detroit Auto Scene Staff Reporter

Auto racing and fuel economy are two subjects that don’t often come up in conversation together.

But Kurt Urban, owner of Kurt Urban Performance in Com-merce Twp., said with new racing-friendly alternative fuels and the gas price spikes of the recent past, fuel economy isn’t necessarily out of the question for racing fans.

“The people who want the high-powered engines, still want them: But we’re doing a ’69 Camaro now that will be over 1,000 horse-power, but also will knock out 20 miles per gallon,” said Urban.

“The focus has shifted a little. Ten years ago, people didn’t care or ask about gas mileage. Now, we build components into, the car and we especially look at where we can cheat fuel mileage.”

Urban speaks from experience. He started his company 15 years ago and five years later it was bought by the mega-racing performance company, Wheel to Wheel Powertrain.

Urban came on board at Wheel to Wheel as director of opera-tions for special vehicles. “I was the one that took care of building the engines for the concept vehicles and the retail high-power race-cars, hotrods,” said Urban.

He said he did a lot of retrofitting like taking a ’69 Camaro and giving it modern amenities like air conditioning and a fuel-injected, super-charged engine. Making it drive like a new car, but still have the retro look of the old car. I did a lot of that type of car. Still do.”

When Wheel to Wheel fell victim to the economy and closed its doors in April 2008, Urban got busy resurrecting his old busi-ness, which he started back up at the first of the year.

“My main focus is engines, said Urban. “Mostly booster-type engines, turbo-charged, super-eharged, but I still do work on cars also. I don’t work on a car unless I’m building an engine for it and it needs something special installed.”

Urban specializes in the LS GM engine that initially came out in the 1997 Corvette and is still used today in SUVs and pickups.

“Some are for drag racing, some are performance cars, a lot of them are retrofitting older cars, putting newer technology into older cars,” said Urban about his customer base.

One of the auxiliary benefits of the new technology is fuel economy, said Urban. “Some of the beauty of it is; as a car guy it’s a cool thing to do, but the efficiency of the engine is~ much better.

“That’s where the power comes from, but also where the fuel mileage comes from now. It makes your ’69 car, which gets 11 miles per gallon, easily shoot up to 20 miles per gallon and you have double the horsepower.”

Another new nod to gas economy is E85, said Urban. The ethanol-based alternative fuel is also race friendly, he said. “That fuel is 105 octane in the summertime, so it lends itself very well to high-powered cars.”

Urban said one of his suppliers is working on a system based on the flow meter used in GM E85 vehicles. “(With this system) I will be able to build you a high-powered car that makes 1,000 horsepower when its got E85 in it, and then when you pump regular gas into it if you need to, the computer will adjust (it).”

Check out KurtUrban.com or contact Kurt at (248) 345-8169 or [email protected]

Sat. Aug. 1 Halo Burger Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, Grand BlancSun. Aug. 2 Bakers Cruise – Bakers of Milford, 2025 S. Milford Rd., MilfordMon. Aug. 3 Motorhead Mondays – 5:30–Dusk, Walton & Livernois in Rochester (across from Crittenton Hospital)

Lapeer Cruise – 6–9pm, Nepessing St., Lapeer Twin’s Pizza Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, ClioTue. Aug. 4 AJ Racer’s Sports Bar – 4020 N. Dort Hwy., Flint John’s Pizza – 6pm–Dusk, Davison Rd., DavisonWed. Aug. 5 Otisville Cruise at the Light – 5:30–8pm Joe’s Garage – 5–9pm, 6468 W. Vienna Rd., Clio Battle

Alley Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, Downtown Holly Sharky’s Cruise Bristol Rd. Call for info.Thurs. Aug. 6 Kearsley Kruze – 5pm–Dusk, 7-Eleven, 5015 Richfield Rd., Flint Fri. Aug. 7 Downtown Davison Cruise – 6–9pm, Davison, Helena Kramer (810) 653-7349 Oink Joint Cruise – 5–9pm,

11740 Gera Rd., Birch RunSat. Aug. 8 Gangster Car Show, Swap Meet & Flea Market – (810) 678-8350, Roadside Attractions, 3549 S. Lapeer Rd.,

Metamora, carsantiquesandmore.com Burger King Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, 5510 Fenton Rd., FlintSun. Aug. 9 Bakers Cruise – Bakers of Milford, 2025 S. Milford Rd., MilfordMon. Aug. 10 Motorhead Mondays – 5:30–Dusk, Walton & Livernois in Rochester (across from Crittenton Hospital)

Lapeer Cruise – 6–9pm, Nepessing St., Lapeer Twin’s Pizza Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, ClioTue. Aug. 11 Back to the Bricks Cruise – Downtown Flint AJ Racer’s Sports Bar – 4020 N. Dort Hwy., Flint

John’s Pizza – 6pm–Dusk, Davison Rd., DavisonWed. Aug. 12 Back to the Bricks Cruise – Downtown Flint Otisville Cruise at the Light – 5:30–8pm Joe’s

Garage – 5–9pm, 6468 W. Vienna Rd., Clio Battle Alley Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, Downtown Holly Sharky’s Cruise Bristol Rd. Call for info.

Thurs. Aug. 13 Back to the Bricks Cruise – Downtown Flint Kearsley Kruze – 5pm–Dusk, 7-Eleven, 5015 Richfield Rd., Flint

Sat. Aug. 15 Back to the Bricks Cruise – Downtown Flint Flushing A&W Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, 200 S. Cherry St, FlushingSun. Aug. 16 Bakers Cruise – Bakers of Milford, 2025 S. Milford Rd., MilfordMon. Aug. 17 Motorhead Mondays – 5:30–Dusk, Walton & Livernois in Rochester (across from Crittenton Hospital)

Lapeer Cruise – 6–9pm, Nepessing St., Lapeer Twin’s Pizza Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, ClioTue. Aug. 18 Mega Cruise – 5pm–8pm, Mega Coney Island, Owen Rd. (at US-23), Fenton, (810) 750-2234 AJ Racer’s

Sports Bar – 4020 N. Dort Hwy., Flint John’s Pizza – 6pm–Dusk, Davison Rd., DavisonWed. Aug. 19 Otisville Cruise at the Light – 5:30–8pm Joe’s Garage – 5–9pm, 6468 W. Vienna Rd., Clio Battle


11740 Gera Rd., Birch RunSat. Aug. 22 The Hot Dog Stand – 4-8pm, 11338 S. Saginaw St., Grand Blanc, (810) 695-7597 Oldies But Goodies

Street Rod Club – Davison Big Boy, 5-9pm, Lapeer Rd., Davison, Jim (810) 686-3119 Sun. Aug. 23 Bakers Cruise – Bakers of Milford, 2025 S. Milford Rd., MilfordMon. Aug. 24 Motorhead Mondays – 5:30–Dusk, Walton & Livernois in Rochester (across from Crittenton Hospital)

Lapeer Cruise – 6–9pm, Nepessing St., Lapeer Twin’s Pizza Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, ClioTue. Aug. 25 John’s Pizza – 6pm–Dusk, Davison Rd., Davison AJ Racer’s Sports Bar – 4020 N. Dort Hwy., FlintWed. Aug. 26 Otisville Cruise at the Light – 5:30–8pm Joe’s Garage – 5–9pm, 6468 W. Vienna Rd., Clio Battle


11740 Gera Rd., Birch RunSun. Aug. 30 Bakers Cruise – Bakers of Milford, 2025 S. Milford Rd., Milford

1-888-999-7660

www.communitypatron.com

Your original layout instructions have been followed as closely as possible. This is not a second opportunity to design the ad. Please review the important points as listed below. Check off if OK. Indicate corrections in space provided. (Use 2nd copy if necessary)

OK OK OK

Phone#

Address

Offers/Exp. Dates

This is your CommuniTy PaTron Proof

It is your responsibility to check this ad for any errors.The Community Patron is not responsible for any error not indicated!

Approved AS IS

Approved WITH CORRECTIONS

New Proof Required

Approved By _________________________________________

Date _________________________________________

PLEASE NOTE:

Please check all ad coPy for accuracy

Please sign and fax back OK or corrections to: (888) 424-6870or email OK or corrections to: [email protected]

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

Date ______________________

Amount ______________________

Cash

Chk.

C.C.

Check# ________________________________________________

C.C.# __________________________________ E/D__________

Security Code _______________ Zip Code_____________

1-888-999-7660Call Cathy at:

to place your ad today!

• A monthly magazine size advertiser

• Distributed to over 300 businesses in Genesee county and surrounding areas

• Viewed by over 20,000 readers

• Available online

• Low cost - Fantastic customer service

Your CommunityBusiness

Connection!

www.communitypatron.com

— P R E S E N T I N G —

$1895Oil Change

$5999A/C Service

$1895Front End Alignment

2602 Corunna Rd. Flint, Michigan 48503

Office (810) 234-8610Cell: (810) 252-1755


Sat. Aug. 1 Halo Burger Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, Grand BlancSun. Aug. 2 Bakers Cruise – Bakers of Milford, 2025 S. Milford Rd., MilfordMon. Aug. 3 Motorhead Mondays – 5:30–Dusk, Walton & Livernois in Rochester (across from Crittenton Hospital)

Lapeer Cruise – 6–9pm, Nepessing St., Lapeer Twin’s Pizza Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, ClioTue. Aug. 4 AJ Racer’s Sports Bar – 4020 N. Dort Hwy., Flint John’s Pizza – 6pm–Dusk, Davison Rd., DavisonWed. Aug. 5 Otisville Cruise at the Light – 5:30–8pm Joe’s Garage – 5–9pm, 6468 W. Vienna Rd., Clio Battle


11740 Gera Rd., Birch RunSat. Aug. 8 Gangster Car Show, Swap Meet & Flea Market – (810) 678-8350, Roadside Attractions, 3549 S. Lapeer Rd.,

Metamora, carsantiquesandmore.com Burger King Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, 5510 Fenton Rd., FlintSun. Aug. 9 Bakers Cruise – Bakers of Milford, 2025 S. Milford Rd., MilfordMon. Aug. 10 Motorhead Mondays – 5:30–Dusk, Walton & Livernois in Rochester (across from Crittenton Hospital)

Lapeer Cruise – 6–9pm, Nepessing St., Lapeer Twin’s Pizza Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, ClioTue. Aug. 11 Back to the Bricks Cruise – Downtown Flint AJ Racer’s Sports Bar – 4020 N. Dort Hwy., Flint

John’s Pizza – 6pm–Dusk, Davison Rd., DavisonWed. Aug. 12 Back to the Bricks Cruise – Downtown Flint Otisville Cruise at the Light – 5:30–8pm Joe’s

Garage – 5–9pm, 6468 W. Vienna Rd., Clio Battle Alley Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, Downtown Holly Sharky’s Cruise Bristol Rd. Call for info.

Thurs. Aug. 13 Back to the Bricks Cruise – Downtown Flint Kearsley Kruze – 5pm–Dusk, 7-Eleven, 5015 Richfield Rd., Flint

Sat. Aug. 15 Back to the Bricks Cruise – Downtown Flint Flushing A&W Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, 200 S. Cherry St, FlushingSun. Aug. 16 Bakers Cruise – Bakers of Milford, 2025 S. Milford Rd., MilfordMon. Aug. 17 Motorhead Mondays – 5:30–Dusk, Walton & Livernois in Rochester (across from Crittenton Hospital)

Lapeer Cruise – 6–9pm, Nepessing St., Lapeer Twin’s Pizza Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, ClioTue. Aug. 18 Mega Cruise – 5pm–8pm, Mega Coney Island, Owen Rd. (at US-23), Fenton, (810) 750-2234 AJ Racer’s

Sports Bar – 4020 N. Dort Hwy., Flint John’s Pizza – 6pm–Dusk, Davison Rd., DavisonWed. Aug. 19 Otisville Cruise at the Light – 5:30–8pm Joe’s Garage – 5–9pm, 6468 W. Vienna Rd., Clio Battle


11740 Gera Rd., Birch RunSat. Aug. 22 The Hot Dog Stand – 4-8pm, 11338 S. Saginaw St., Grand Blanc, (810) 695-7597 Oldies But Goodies

Street Rod Club – Davison Big Boy, 5-9pm, Lapeer Rd., Davison, Jim (810) 686-3119 Sun. Aug. 23 Bakers Cruise – Bakers of Milford, 2025 S. Milford Rd., MilfordMon. Aug. 24 Motorhead Mondays – 5:30–Dusk, Walton & Livernois in Rochester (across from Crittenton Hospital)

Lapeer Cruise – 6–9pm, Nepessing St., Lapeer Twin’s Pizza Cruise – 5pm–Dusk, ClioTue. Aug. 25 John’s Pizza – 6pm–Dusk, Davison Rd., Davison AJ Racer’s Sports Bar – 4020 N. Dort Hwy., FlintWed. Aug. 26 Otisville Cruise at the Light – 5:30–8pm Joe’s Garage – 5–9pm, 6468 W. Vienna Rd., Clio Battle


11740 Gera Rd., Birch RunSun. Aug. 30 Bakers Cruise – Bakers of Milford, 2025 S. Milford Rd., Milford


August20o9

Cruisers and Drivers: please be respectful of start/end times of cruises and shows. Check dates and times for any changes.

Corey Sorensen and Kyle Dotson are your typical 19 year old boys, they hunt and fish together, even went to the same babysitter when they were younger, but with something even more unique in common. Corey and Kyle each have a Mustang in the color Grabber Orange. As if having the same color and make of car was not enough these boys possess one more unique quality, “Kyle has one of the oldest Mustangs made, and I have one of the newest,” replied Corey during the interview.

The 2008 Mustang GT belongs to Corey. The muscle car was purchased last July as a graduation gift to him from his grandfather for being in the top ten of his graduating class. Corey is still learning about cars and new to the scene, but has sentimental feelings toward his mustang since his father owned a yellow ’71 Mustang when he was younger. Corey’s car may be grabber orange rather than yellow, but the sentiment is still there since in some lights it appears yellow in color. Corey’s car is stock, putting out about 315 HP and 320 ft/lbs of torque. On the way to the John’s Pizza Cruise where we interviewed him, Corey’s car rolled just over 9,000 miles. He has a lot of ideas for customizing that he would like to do with his car including halo lights, dual racing stripes, a supercharger, and quarter and rear window louvers.

by Katherine Malette

The Mustang Brothers

16 www.carbuffnews.comPhotos by Gerry Stiles

Kyle on the other hand has the older model. Kyle and his father purchased the car in 2000 as a bonding project. The 1964 ½ Mustang was purchased from his father’s friend in desperate need of total restoration. “The car was literally in five different colors when we got it” says Kyle, chuckling as he remembers, “but we saw the potential in her.” Their mustang has a stock 289 engine, which was freshened up for a total restoration. The floor pans have been replaced, and Kyle's father painted her in the original grabber orange color. The project took father and son approximately two years to finish with their goal being to keep it as close to stock as possible. The car was done for Kyle’s mother and the original 4 speed was swapped for a 3 speed automatic since she doesn’t know how to drive a standard yet.

Now the boys attend car shows together and are known as The Mustang Brothers, the first car show the boys attended together being the Davison Main Street Cruise. The boys enjoy the differences and similarities in their cars. “It’s like, wow! Look at them, they did change, but not much” says Corey.

Thank you John’s Pizza and Mid Michigan Modern Muscle.

“ Kyle has one of the oldest Mustangs made, and I have one of the newest.”


Authentic Mexican RestaurantTwo Locations to Serve U

DOS119 E. Main St. Flushing MI

(810)487-0666Call ahead Take-out Services Available

725 Garland St.

(810)341-6888Flint MI

G7195 N Saginaw Road • Mount Morris, MI 48458(810) 670-1145 • (810) 670-2291 Fax

BoB Kern’s Auto repAir

before after

SePTEMBER 25-26, 2009

Saginaw St. • Downtown Flint

Bikes on the Bricks3Rd Annual

New!

FridayPolice escorted

ride!

No eNtry Fee For show ParticiPaNts or sPectators!

Motorcycle show with Prizeslaw eNForceMeNt rodeo coMPetitioN

Contests, Vendor and Sponsor Displays, Music, Food, Featured Motorcycle Exhibits,

Fashion Show and More!

FREE!

www.BikesOnTheBricks.com

Personalized Health Insurance!Personalized Health Insurance!Personalized Health Insurance!Personalized Health Insurance!

Andrew Fisher

[email protected]

Licensed Insurance Agent

Andrew Fisher

Personalized Health Insurance!Personalized Health Insurance!Personalized Health Insurance!Personalized Health Insurance!

Licensed Insurance Agent

[email protected]

James Coleman Owner

4114 Davison Rd Burton MI 48509

USA

Phone 810-742-0028 Fax 810-742-0059

[email protected]

Mention this ad for 10% off

ADVERTISE HEREMention this and receive 10% off 1st ad


The Story of ’Lil Walnut Lizzie1924 Model T Truck

by Georgie Thompson

Gerald Goodman of Grand Blanc, Michigan was a collector of antique cars, tractors, engines and related equipment. His dream was to restore a Model T to it’s original.

After searching far and wide, he received a call, there was one for sale right in Grand Blanc.

With much excitement, he want to look at it. It was a frame, drive shaft, wheels and a motor, with an orange crate for a seat. Jerry cranked

it up, and with a big smile on his face, drove it home. After much though and planning, Jerry decided to make a Model T truck from the frame and parts he had collected. All of the parts were original 1924 Model T. He also decided to use black walnut wood, from a tree he had cut down and milled himself.

The cab of the truck has three log screws on each side, so the top can be removed.



The dashboard is original, and the speedom-eter is restored original. The seats were from restored parts.

Jerry mad handmade leather side curtains too roll down in case of bad weather.

The kerosene lanterns are original, and using the lanterns the truck has turn signals, head-lights and tail lights.

The truck runs down the road at 35 miles per hour.

The spokes of each wheel were completely restored (a year’s project).

The box sides of the truck were flared for appearance.

After hours of sanding, sealing, and finishing (six years total), the project was complete. That was the birth of ’Lil Walnut Lizzie, 1924 Model T Truck, named for the black walnut wood used to build it.



The White and Red Beautyby Dan McAvoy

Flint Township’s Andrew “Sherlock” Holmes is very thankful to have his sweet 1969 Buick Electra 225.

He owes a lot of his love of cars from his father Hickman Holmes Sr. especially the love of Buicks.

According to Sherlock, growing up he only recalls of his family only had one Chevrolet and the rest were Buicks.

He currently owns a 1969 Buick Electra 225, 2-door convertible with a 430 engine, with a power antenna; a power white convertible top, six way power seats, with red interior. The color of the car is white.

He has an interesting tale on how he got his white beauty.

Back in 1999, he was just looking on his home com-puter for Buicks. At the time, his nephew Dana had a 1970 four-door Green Buick Electra 225.

Anyways, he was just about to head off for bed. All of sudden his future classic popped up on my

computer screen. He saw his white and red beauty and later he contacted the owner of it who lived on the Ohio and Kentucky border.

He later e-mailed Sherlock more photos of the car and he and my brother Hickman went down to look at the car first hand.

Ironically looking back on it, he didn’t know if he wanted this car. He really wanted a 1970 Buick Electra 225 because my nephew Dana had one and he always like the style of a 1970 Buick.

“I have grown to love my ’69 Buick,” said Sherlock.After much thought, he purchased the car, but he

wondered and worried how he was going to get the car home. Well one night for some reason he couldn’t sleep.

According to Sherlock one night he couldn’t sleep all of sudden he awoke with the sound of air brakes and roll back of a tow truck in his driveway.

“I peeked out the window, it wasn’t Santa Claus but it felt like on Christmas morning. I told my wife Laverne and my family,” said Sherlock. “It is my car, it is my car.”

He was really happy with car and it has run smoothly. He later detailed the engine putting on chrome valve covers, new brakes, springs and shocks and a new water pump.

He loved going to car shows as well car cruises on the weekends. One of my favorite car shows is taking part in the annual Flint’s Sloan Summer Car show, which recently celebrated its 35th year in Flint in 2007.

He has won five top 75 awards at the Sloan show. In addition, he has won twice at Flint Region Antique Auto-mobile Club of America at Crossroads Village at Huck-leberry Railroad.

His classic was awarded the best of show in the 32nd Annual Car Show Flint Region Antique Automobile Club of America in August of 2008 held at Crossroads Village at Huckleberry Railroad.

“I couldn’t believe it I won that, I was very happy and thankful in receiving the best of show,” he said.

The car was featured in the 2008 movie, “Semi-Pro” movie starring Will Ferrell and Woody Harleson.

In the spring of 2007, he along with other classic car guys and gals drove down to Detroit in a downpour rain to film a few scenes for the movie at the Michigan Fairgrounds.

The White and Red Beauty



Many people have been asking ‘what’s new for the 2009 ‘Back to the Bricks Cruise and Car Show’? Well, this is our 5th anniversary and like the first four years, we have added an extra day to each of the year’s event. This year will be no different and we are adding a fifth day beginning on Tuesday evening, August 11th, 2009. We will kick off this year’s cruise with a ‘free’ drive inn movie on the grounds of the Flint Cultural Center with the showing of either ‘Grease’ or ‘American Graffiti’. There will be popcorn, hot dogs and soft drinks available at a nominal price and a DJ playing our favorite cruisin’ tunes. So get out the lawn chairs and come on down. On Wednesday, August 12th and 13th, the popular ‘Rolling Cruise’ will take place from 4pm until 10pm from south of Grand Blanc thru Burton and on up into downtown Flint. Steve, Denny and Ed, ‘Rolling Cruise’ chairs, have lined up thirty-eight host sites along the route that will be offering food specials and product specials. There will be live entertainment, exhibits, and bleachers for the spectators along the thirteen mile route. We are antici-pating in excess of 15,000 collector cars from all over the country that will be driven on the route.

Friday’s activities kick off with a ‘free’ all you can eat pancake breakfast for the first five-hundred people showing up in a collector car. Like last year, Elga Credit and 96.1 FM radio will be sponsoring the breakfast. It starts at 7am in the morning and ends at 10 am and breakfast will be serve in the same location as last year in the U of M-Flint’s north parking lot which is located at the corner of Robert T. Longway and Saginaw Streets. Just look for the white tent. Breakfast will be followed by a ‘free’ hot dog lunch at Duke’s Car Stereo which is located at 2833 S. Dort Highway. Mark and Jim, owner’s of Duke’s Car Stereo, said they serve over 750 lunches last year and said ‘bringem’ on’ for this year. Now I just have to ask, ‘how many car shows do you know where you can get a free breakfast and lunch’? Not many if any at all! We are still not done with Friday’s activities; the official ‘Kick Off’ party starts in downtown Flint at 6pm. Thru the efforts of ABC12, the Flint Symphony Orchestra

and your Back to the Bricks committee, a ‘free’ Motown Concert is going to happen featuring none other than the ‘Contours featuring Sylvester Potts”! The concert is going to be held right on the ‘Bricks’ near the Saginaw Street Flint River Bridge. It’s another good reason to break out the lawn chairs. And ‘oh, by the way’, ABC 12 will be broadcasting the concert live starting at 7pm thru 9pm. As long as I am on the subject of broadcasting, ABC12 will also be broadcasting the ‘Rolling Cruise’ live on both Wednesday and Thursday nights from 7pm to 8pm. How’s that for coverage!

Saturday’s activities will feature our sponsor’s dis-plays in front of the U of M’s Market Pavilion, the ‘Women’s Market’ Place which will be held inside of the Pavilion with over twenty-five vendors featuring prod-ucts for the women. On the ‘flat lot’ which is located on Saginaw Street, will feature displays from our sponsors such as Mother’s Polishes and Waxes, Buckroo Commu-nications, ProStyle Auto and Truck Accessories, Detroit Muscle, All American Muscle Cars, Dreamakers, Dennis Kirban Products and many more. New this year will be the north parking lot which located at Robert T. Longway and Saginaw Streets. This will be the first year for vendors featuring many automotive related products, The lot will have live entertainment, food, displays fea-turing over 30 antique fire engines, vintage campers, the UAW Region 1C exhibit tractor trailer and car show and more. The evening will end with an event that is happen-ing along side of this year’s event and that is the Mark Farner (Grand Funk) concert at the Atwood Stadium beginning at 7pm in the evening. This is an independent event from the ‘Back to the Bricks’ and there will be a nominal charge for the concert. Things wrap in down-town Flint at 10pm and planning for next year’s event begins at 10:01pm. We hope to see you there and one final word; the entire ‘Back to the Bricks’ event is a ‘free, no charge, no registration’ event for both car owners and spectators. So tell your family, friends, neighbors, to come on down and help celebrate Flint’s rich automotive heritage.

AUGUST 11,12,13,14 AND THE 15, 2009

THe FLINT AReA CONVeNTION & VISITORS BuReAu’SOFFICIAL GuIDe TO DINING

Family Diningbd’s Mongolian Barbeque

4205 Miller Rd. Flint Twp., 810-732-1132

Beale St. Smokehouse BBQ 2461 North Rd. Fenton, 810-750-0507

Blackstones 531 S. Saginaw St. Flint, 810-234-9011

Fuddrucker’s Restaurant 2372 Austin Parkway Flint Twp., 810-235-8585

Gillie’s Coney Island G-6524 N. Dort Hwy. Mt. Morris, 810-686-1200

The Hot Dog Stand 11338 S. Saginaw St. Grand Blanc, 810-695-7597

Mega Classic Diner 4462 Corunna Rd. Flint, 810-732-9700

Old Country Buffet 4196 E. Court St. Burton, 810-743-1811 G-3583 Miller Rd. Flint Twp., 810-733-5511

Rib City Grill G-4150 Miller Rd. Flint Twp., 810-230-0094

Starlite Diner And Coney Island 1500 N. Center Rd. Flint, 810-742-4955

Temple Dining Room 755 S. Saginaw St. Flint, 810-235-7760

Thompson Creek Turkey Farm 2160 W. Hill Rd. Flint, 810-234-5444

Venus Family Restaurant G-5485 Fenton Rd. Flint, 810-235-6911

Walli’s Restaurant G-1341 S. Center Rd. Burton, 810-743-9600

UpscaleBrickstreet of Grand Blanc

1223 Grand Blanc Rd. Grand Blanc, 810-603-2114

Floyd’s Restaurant 10200 Woodfield Drive Grand Blanc, 810-695-4653

J. Porter’s Steakhouse Holiday Inn Gateway Centre 5353 Gateway Centre Flint, 810-232-1373

Mackuch’s Red Rooster 3302 Davison Rd. Flint, 810-742-9310

Redwood Lodge 5304 Gateway Centre Flint, 810-233-8000

Café/DeliGrand Traverse Pie Company

2350 S. Center Rd. Burton, 810-742-9743

Hoffman’s Deco Deli & Café 503 Garland St. Flint, 810-238-1444

The Lunch Studio 444 S. Saginaw St. Flint, 810-424-9868

Pesto’s 5275 Miller Rd. Flint, 810-732-4390

Tropical Smoothie Café 2103 S. Linden Rd. Flint, 810-733-2100

Fast FoodBig John Steak & Onion

Flint’s Original Steak and Onion 10 area locations, 810-230-9000

Bill Thomas Halo Burger A Flint tradition for over 75 Years 9 area locations www.haloburger.com

YAYA’s Flame Broiled Chicken Healthy & Tasty Chicken 6 area locations www.yayas.com

McDonald’s Restaurants 810-233-4075

JapaneseSagano Japanese Steakhouse &

Bistro G-2065 S. Linden Rd. Flint, 810-230-7300

Middle EasternTaboon

3393 S. Linden Rd. Flint, 810-720-0336

ItalianItalia Gardens

G-3273 Miller Rd Flint, 810-720-4112 1141 S. State Rd. Davison, 810-653-6899 1076 S. Lapeer Rd. Oxford, 248-628-4112

Latina Restaurant & Pizzeria 1370 W. Bristol Rd. Flint, 810-767-8491

Luigi’s/El Toro 2132 Davison Rd. Flint, 810-234-9545

Mario’s Restaurant & Pizzeria G-5227 Fenton Rd. Flint, 810-232-6535

Salvatore Scallopini G-3227 Miller Rd. Flint Twp., 810-732-1070

Pizza & SubsMancino’s of Fenton

4019 Owen Rd. Fenton, 810-714-2000

SeafoodFrank’s Tavern

14331 Eastview Dr. Fenton, 810-629-9133

Pubs/TavernsBuffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar

3192 S. Linden Rd. Flint, 810-230-1299 3190 Silver Lake Rd. Fenton, 810-629-0999 8251 Trillium Circle Grand Blanc, 810-603-1299

Churchill’s Food & Spirits 340 S. Saginaw St. Flint, 810-238-3800

The Fenton Hotel Tavern & Grill 302 N. Leroy St. Fenton, 810-750-9463

501 Bar & Grill/Wize Guys Pizza 531 S. Saginaw St. Flint, 810-234-9011

Joe’s Garage 6468 W. Vienna Rd. Clio, 810-686-1100

Kickers Sports Bar & Grill G-5577 S. Saginaw St. Flint, 810-695-2060

Mo Doggie’s Bar & Grill 715 Torrey Rd. Fenton, 810-629-1415

Paddy McGees 5270 Perry Rd. Grand Blanc, 810-694-5960

The Torch Bar & Grille 522 Buckham Alley Flint, 810-232-0626

White Horse Tavern 621 W. Court St. Flint, 810-234-3811

Casual DiningApplebee’s Neighborhood Grill

& Bar 4135 E. Court St. Burton, 810-744-1977 G-3129 Miller Rd. Flint, 810-235-1911 1400 E. Hill Rd. Grand Blanc, 810-603-2750 18115 Silver Pkwy. Fenton, 810-714-9230 10030 Lapeer Rd. Davison, 810-653-3900

Blue Collar Grill G-5311 Corunna Rd. Flint, 810-732-4600

Cranberries Café 10250 Hegel Rd. Goodrich, 810-636-3409

Fandangles 6429 W. Pierson Rd. Flushing, 810-659-2700

Firkin & Fox 1341 S. Center Rd. Burton, 810-743-9530

Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn 713 S. Main Frankenmuth, 989-652-9941

French Laundry 125 W. Shiawassee Ave. Fenton, 810-629-8852

Little Joe’s 11518 S. Saginaw St. Grand Blanc, 810-694-8391

O’Malley’s Wild Irish Inn 1076 S. Belsay Rd. Burton, 810-715-9900

Coffee Shops/BakeriesBear Creek Coffee Café

105 N. Bridge St. Linden, 810-735-9323

Dale’s Cheesecake Shoppe 8572 Silver Lake Rd. Argentine, 810-735-2787

The Good Beans Café 328 N. Grand Traverse Flint, 810-237-4663

Park Avenue Cheesecake Company 2221 E. Hill Rd. Grand Blanc, 810-953-1300

MexicanEl Cozumel Mexican Grill

G-4190 E. Court St. Burton, 810-715-4426

For listing information,

Please call Rick at

810-232-8181

Bill Burgess, OwnerMaster Auto Glass Technician

Flushing Auto GlassYOUR INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE ON$50 OFF (810) 659-2600

105 N. Seymour Road - Flushing• POwer windOw rePair• we SeLL aFTer marKeT bOdY PaneLS• we inSTaLL weaTHer STriPPinG• authorized by all insurance Companies

SEE CLEARLY THROUGH YOUR WINDSHIELD WITH

$1500

$44.00Windshield Chip Repair

Non-insurance CASH Price

FREEChip Repair

thru MostInsurance

Companies

windSHieLd rePLaCemenTEXPIRES 8-31-09 WITH THIS AD!

A&A MAChine Shop6006 n State Rd., Davison, Mi 48423-9363

(810) 653-1891

SEE YOU AT BACK TO THE BRICKS

Bob Young Rod Campbell

YoungsEnvironmental.com800-4-YOUNGS

SprayMyLawn.com800-570-3313

Flint - Lansing - Saginaw - Port Huron

car buff news issue #3

Documents

united way ofgenesee

staffron burch

ramp program

gale burch owners

group events

engine builder urban

story of lil walnut

business ad