Local car shows drive into town

METRO DETROIT — Hang those fuzzy rearview mirror dice, shine up that chrome and get ready to  ride — car show season has arrived.

Classic car owners are ready to spin their wheels at weekly haunts that welcome all kinds of cruisers, from the hot rod masters to the vintage collectors. Honk, honk.

The Breakfast Club is back at the Ram’s Horn, located at 1990 S. Rochester Road at Hamlin Road in Rochester Hills. The group meets from 6:30 to 11 a.m. every Saturday to  reminisce about cruising over coffee.

“We have quite a big group that talk and have breakfast,” manager Kevin Knapp said. “Anyone is welcome to bring their cars.”

The folks at Culver’s on the Romeo/Washington Township border also are getting in on the classic car culture. The eatery, located at 66227 Van Dyke Ave., is holding a classic car show from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays until Labor Day. Staff members will pick their favorite car each week and give out a special gift.

Another place for a “wheel” good time is the Ukrainian Cultural Center, 26601 Ryan Road in Warren. Cruise night is from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays. At press time, the first official date was set for May 7.

It’s the 1950s all over again when cruisers meet up at Eddie’s Drive-In, 36111 Jefferson Ave. in Harrison Township. Gearheads are usually there at 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer.

Mark your calendar for June 7. That’s when the car shows at the Walter F. Bruce Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1146, located at 28404 Jefferson Ave. in St Clair Shores, will begin. The event will be held from 4 to 7:30 p.m. every Friday in the back of the facility, between the building and Lake St. Clair.

The car shows will be different than in the past. There is no cost to attend, and there will not be trophies or door prizes this year. However, there will be raffles and music from a disc jockey. Food, including hamburgers and hot dogs, will be for sale. For more information, call Randell Shafer ar (586) 524-0449.

 

Here are some other places for weekly car shows, weather permitting:
The Big Boy located at 200 W. Maple Road in Troy welcomes cruisers from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays.

The Twisted Axle Car Club will park its unique and stylish automobiles at 7 p.m. every Friday at Gratiot Coney Island, 28560 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville.

Louie’s Towne Grill Cruise Nights, located at 79 N. Main St. in Mount Clemens, will be from 4 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday this spring and summer.

Beginning June 6, the Stahl’s Automotive Collection at 56516 North Bay Drive in Chesterfield Township will hold cruise nights from 4 to 7:30 p.m. every Thursday, minus the third Thursday of the month. During the cruise nights, car fans can also check out the museum, which will be open from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The museum is the creation of businessman Ted Stahl, who has stocked the facility with antique vehicles that date back to the early 1900s.

Sweet Treats and Sweet Rides: Cars on display, music and in-store specials, 5-8 p.m. May 16, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 19 at Sanders Chocolate and Ice Cream Shoppe, 23770 Hall Road in Clinton Township. Call (586) 464-5372 for more information.

SandBaggers Sports Bar and Grill, 25615 Van Dyke Ave. in Center Line, will start its weekly car shows May 15. Everyone gathers in the parking lot from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays until September.

The “Fun Time Cruzers” meet at Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights from 4-8 p.m. (to 7 p.m. after mid-September) every Monday night from May to September. Meet at the Lakeside Mall Food Court on the south side of Hall Road and east of Schoenherr in Sterling Heights.

The public is cordially invited to the monthly Cars and Coffee at 8 a.m. the first Saturday of the month at the M1 Concourse, located at 1 Concourse Drive in Pontiac. There is no cost to attend. The 87-acre property features a 28,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art event complex, a 1.5-mile closed track, 255 private garages, and a full schedule of signature events. For more information, visit m1concourse.com or call (248) 326-9999.

There is also a spot in town for vintage bicycle enthusiasts. The Lumberyard Pub & Grub and East Side Bike Shop are again hosting the weekly bicycle nights at the Lumberyard, 26700 Schoenherr Road in Warren. Anyone can attend from 6 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday evening to talk about their two-wheeled Roadmasters, Schwinns and Columbias. According to staff, there also will be a special bike night for kids with a date to be determined later in the season.

 

Charity drives
A couple of upcoming car shows will not only rev their engines, but will give back to the community.

Healing Choices and Macomb Elks No. 2292 will join together for the Drivin’ 2292 Charity Car Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 9 at the Macomb Elks Lodge No. 2292, located at 25950 Schoenherr Road in Warren.

Proceeds will benefit both charitable organizations. Car owners can register by email at webmaster2292@gmail.com. Early registration costs $20 per car. Those who register before June 1 will receive a swag bag. The registration fee on the day of the car show will be $25 per car.

Eastpointe Cruisin’ Gratiot will celebrate its 25th year next month. Money raised from the annual cruise is distributed to local charities that have included the St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. Basil the Great Catholic Church, the Eastpointe Lions Club and the Kiwanis Club of Clinton Township. For a complete list of events, visit cruisin-gratiot.com.

In the meantime, the cruise committee invites the public to a fundraiser from 4 to 8 p.m. May 8 at Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant, 24443 Gratiot Ave. There will be 50/50 raffles and gift baskets for raffles. Some of the cars that will be part of this year’s event will be on display. Anyone can bring a car to display. If getting a carryout, mention the cruise for the committee to get credit.

C & G Newspapers has compiled a list of local car shows at candgnews.com/news/car-shows-cruises-2024. Another good source is facebook.com/AmericanDreamCars.