No references to Tom or Katie here, but August in Southern Michigan for many people means just one thing, Woodward. The third weekend of the month sees Detroit's most famous thoroughfare reverberating to the sounds of the Motor City's Finest wheeled conveyances, we say that because just about every mobile device imaginable seems to end up driving the stretch from Eight Mile to Pontiac and back. This year, Modified Mustangs & Fords decided to get a head start on 'cruising week' as it has unofficially become, by getting together with the folks at Mustang Racing Technologies and the Mustang Owner's Club of South Eastern Michigan and going for a little drive.
So, on Saturday August 9, 2008, one week before the official Woodward Cruising day, a bunch of Mustang enthusiasts made a beeline for MRT's Headquarters in Livonia, Michigan. Things kicked off around 9.00 am, by which time a convoy of over 25 cars had been assembled. Joining us for the parade were even a couple of chaps from Ford who brought out a Shelby GT500KR engineering mule. The route took the clan onto Michigan State Highway 14, East to I-275, north through the madness to I-696 East and then towards I-94 and North to Port Huron. Yours truly meanwhile due to my own scheduling, arranged to meet the gang at the lunch spot, the Vintage Tavern on Michigan Street in Port Huron. Fair weather conditions the morning of the cruise meant things went well and everybody enjoyed the drive. Lunch also proved to be a major hit with some delicious food on the menu, particularly the burgers and Terryaki strips which seemed to go down well with everybody. If you haven't been to the Vintage Tavern in Port Huron, the place is highly recommended - yes I say so. Even the staff at Vintage like Mustangs - one of our servers owned one and had a thing for Fox body GTs.
With both owners and cars fuelled up, it was time to hit the road and head back to MRT. The heavens opened on the trip back, but we managed to at least snag some good pictures before that happened. On Sunday the MOCSEM had their annual show, Mustang Memories, of which the 2008 edition marked the 20th running. Located at Greenmead Historical Park in Livonia, it's an excellent venue to hold a car show and the turnout was fantastic, with Mustangs & Fords of all shapes and sizes. And you couldn't have picked a better way in which to kick off the start of Woodward Week...
Special thanks go to Scott and Lisa Hoag and Kim Rieck at MRT Neil and Kathy Holcomb and Mike Rey of the MOCSEM
For more info on the Mustang Owner's Club of South Eastern Michigan contact mocsem.org