This story is written by Paul Schram. I met Paul after he left a comment at one of my first (and most read) blogs at MyRideisMe.com: The Real "Silver Bullet" - 2007 Woodward Cruise. The comment said: "True, not true, fact, fiction, legend, Only Jimmy and maybe I know. I have heard many stories..." Being a curious (and somewhat desperate) blog writer, I contacted Paul. After all, talk is cheap. Needless to say, it wasn't just talk! Paul was there. He knew the people and was a big part of the scene. I'm fortunate that this is the first of maybe 4 posts Paul will contribute about his time and his memories from Woodward Ave. back in the late 60's. Here's his first post, a bit of an introduction: Imagine being 16 years old, in love with cars and anything to do with Drag racing. Imagine living just a couple miles away from Woodward Avenue in the suburbs of Detroit. Imagine that it is 1968, the explosion of muscle cars from the Big 3 are hitting the streets of Detroit. On top of all that imagine you work at...
Bugatti Veyron Top Speed Video
posted by pikesan
With Youtube, you can spend all day watching car videos. (I'd never do that!) I found a few about the most amazing production car ever made. The Bugatti Veyron. 250+ mph with air and a stereo. Wow. 16.4 liters, 4 turbos and 10 radiators to keep it all cool. So check out this video from Top Gear. They're at the VW test trace on a 5 mile long straight running the Veyron up to it's top speed. Then, just for fun, check these out. Seems like everyone wants to race the Veyron. Bugatti Veyron vs. Yamaha R1 RACING DOWN...
Cruise’n on Main St. – March 2008
posted by pikesan
For more information on the November 8th, 2008 Memories on Main Street cruise, go to the Mainstreet Garage. While most parts of the US are still half frozen, Mesa, Arizona launches the first big cruise of the year (and first minor sunburn). Brought to us as, "POP's Memories on Main Street" by the Prostate Checkup All Sports Foundation, it was a good time had by all and we had near perfect weather for it. Cruising between Country Club and Mesa drive with parking on Main Street and in the several nearby city lots, for the $5 per car donation, I think everyone had a place. I was expecting a few more cars, but there was no lack of quality. Main street was lined with lawn chaired folks cheering for the next guy to, "light'm up!" I'm pretty sure Mesa PD did just that cause most burning rubber was followed closely by howling sirens. For the most part though, I think every had a good time enjoying their cars and making new friends. I know I did. Here are a few of the cars I especially liked. Most of the...
Nissan GT-R is Almost Here
posted by pikesan
It's been a long time coming and I've been waiting like so many. The GT-R is a race car built for the street. For those of you who don't know why the GTR's so cool, compare it to the Corvette. Except the GT-R's a racing Corvette (think Z06 + Callaway upgrade) that's NEVER been offered for sale in the US. Here are the pictures Nissan is releasing of the car: The GTR's all business and always has been. Consider that in 1989 the R32 version of the GT-R was undefeated, winning 29 of 29 races in the 1990 Japanese Touring Car Championship. Then, the next generation R33 became a legend by lapping the famous Nürburgring race course under 8 minutes. At the time, that was unheard of for a "street" car. In the released photos of the GT-R, it retains its signature round tail lights. Other than that, the details are all rumor since Nissan is keeping extremely tight lips on engine and suspension details. If you want to know the truth, you'll have to wait until the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show in October. When it's release, look for...
The Real “Silver Bullet” – 2007 Woodward Cruise
posted by pikesan
As I was walking down Woodward Ave it was impossible to miss the Chrysler show at 13 mile. Chrysler hand picked the cars to help show off the new Challenger. Hemi fans were in HEAVEN, but there was one car that caught my eye. Here's the banner that stood overhead: Looks interesting, so I talked to Harold Sullivan, the owner. He told me the car's history. Way back when, this 1968 Plymouth Belvedere GTX was a 440 car doing R&D duty for Chrysler. Not leaving well enough alone, the car was fitted with a 487 ci Hemi with extremely rare A-990 aluminum heads by the infamous Jimmy Addison. Jimmy was known to be a good driver and a street racer, but most importantly, an innovator. He drove this legitimate 10 second beast on the street using tricks like four Cadillac mufflers to keep things quiet. As the "King" of Woodward Ave. Harold claims the car was never beaten. Here's the car at the Chrysler display: So I continued my walk down Woodward where I found, "The Original Bullet" 1967 Plymouth Belvedere GTX. Here's what I saw: Right down to...