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28th Street Metro Cruise at Grand Rapids

Annual 28th Street Metro Cruise at Grand Rapids, Michigan 

In August my wife Carol and I, following our own lead, did a re-visit to the Grand Rapids, Michigan area for the 12th Annual 28th Street Metro-Cruise. We had such a great time last year we  made arrangements with our host and SO-CAL Speed Shop dealer Steve Sturim (of Steve’s Antique Auto Repair, Wyoming, MI) to attend the 2016 event.

The Metro Cruise started as a way to draw attention to 28th Street, with the opening of the M6 highway. The real concern was 28th Street would become a ghost town with the local traffic bypass. This event showcases the area and local businesses. The business folk there have learned to embrace the Cruise, and even produce their own events in conjunction with it. A win-win-win for the parties involved, especially the car crowd.

Marge Wilson, owner of Marge’s Donut Den, behind my wife Carol and our hosts Missy and Steve Sturim
World famous Marge Wilson, owner of Marge’s Donut Den, behind my wife Carol and our hosts Missy and Steve Sturim, enjoying all things delicious!
’72 Hugger Orange chopped C-10 step side Chevy pickup
A great shot of Shawn Bowers of Rockford, MI, next to the family-owned ’72 Hugger Orange chopped C-10 step side Chevy pickup. The truck was purchased new by his dad and has been a hot rod all its life.

The event produces some pretty impressive numbers. A whopping 275,000 to 300,000 visitors, if you can believe that, descend on 28th Street in Wyoming and Kentwood, Michigan to view over 15,000 classic cars. It’s really mind-boggling! That’s impressive by anyone’s count—more so when you consider that the event officially runs for only two days.

The cruise is a laid-back event with plenty of room for everyone and the schedule is unbelievable. It’s crazy-cool and the support from business leaders such as Marge Wilson, owner of “Marge’s Donut Den”, and our pal Steve Sturim, is what makes this type of event successful. It’s a ground swell that works from the “inside out”. Of course the other ingredient is a well-run police department. They show friendly control and in turn gets major respect from the attendees, something I really appreciate from both sides.

Candy green chopped ’54 Bel Air hardtop Chevy
On a side trip to Grand Haven we visited with Jake and Tami Moomey who were spending the show weekend at the beach with the proper gear: a vintage aluminum trailer and a candy green chopped ’54 Bel Air hardtop Chevy…ya baby!
Steve Sturim of Steve’s Antique Auto Repair
With pal Steve Sturim of Steve’s Antique Auto Repair. Steve and fellow Relix Car Club members, all the volunteers and sponsors do an unbelievable job of organizing one of the largest collector car events in the world.

Even though it was a quick trip, and the show was a major time consumer, we were able to enjoy a pre-party BBQ at Steve’s shop and yet another BBQ at Mike Boerema’s Gas Axe Garage in Allendale, MI. By the way, the guys in the Relix Car Club were all over the place showing off some incredible cars and helping out whenever called upon.

On Sunday, Steve and Mike took a few friends to the Lake Michigan shore; our destination was a worthy one: a BBQ/beer restaurant. You know when I think of great BBQ it’s either Missouri or Texas—if that’s what you think also, then you’d be wrong! Go see for yourself.

The Snug Harbor Restaurant at the beach in Grand Haven, MI is stunning and like I said last year, “I’m in for another trip to the shore. Maybe we’ll get invited back.” Well, we were and it was fantastic!


Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the December 2016 print issue of the Drive Magazine.

SO-CAL’s 20th Annual Father’s Day Weekend

Celebrating SO-CAL’s 20th Annual Father’s Day Weekend Open House

Our open house just seems to be getting larger—and this time, I think better. Our main obstacle always has been, and will continue to be, parking, for both hot rods as well as spectators. We had over 40 volunteers plus people who spent a tremendous amount of time making the parking run as smooth as possible.

We now block off a quarter mile of Grand Ave., and hire the Pomona Police Department, supervised by retired Detective Wally Berri, to handle traffic, which has proved time and again, to be the only way to really make things run well.

The podcast crew from Shift & Steer
The podcast crew from Shift & Steer was on hand again this year raising a ruckus as usual. Shown here interviewing SO-CAL Speed Shop’s founder Alex Xydias celebrating 70 years of the SO-CAL brand, is also 94 years young. Next to Alex, is R to L, Brad Fanshaw, Aaron Hagar, Matt Andria, and I’m part of the crew but someone had to take the photo!
Flanked by Limefire and Jim Jake Jacobs, the “A” Panel Truck are L to R, Mike Cardenas, Bob Rothenberg, Adolf “Butch” Severloh, “Jake”, Gary Lorenzini and down in front “Big Joey” Angelo.
I called a bunch of old pal’s and damn if they didn’t show up and it got CRAZY. Flanked by Limefire and Jim Jake Jacobs, the “A” Panel Truck are L to R, Mike Cardenas, Bob Rothenberg, Adolf “Butch” Severloh, “Jake”, Gary Lorenzini and down in front “Big Joey” Angelo.

This year’s street lineup was three wide and stretched a fourth of a mile for a total of a couple hundred cars. That added to the 130 rides already on the property, putting us conservatively at 330-plus rods, customs and muscle cars. That’s a lot of modified vehicles for just a 5-hour show!

Many thanks go to the Palm Spring Cruising Association for making the thankless job of parking hot rods a walk in the park. They had their part of the gig done in less than 45 minutes. Well done to all, especially the over 3000 patient guests!

One last thing—I’m sharing a few more photos than normal this time around, and if you were there, terrific; if not, enjoy and see you next year!

’57 Chevy Bel Air 4-door
Have a look at the nicest ’57 Chevy Bel Air 4-door on the planet…this one belongs to “Big John” Struiksma whose grandfather bought the car new in ‘57.
’57 Nomad
That bitchin’ Troy Trepanier prepped ’57 Nomad belongs to rock bassist Michael Anthony. The SO-CAL crew just installed an LS1 to give her a little more power. That cool COE behind the Nomad belongs to Barron Guss out of Honolulu, Hawaii.
Ryan Reed built Deuce 3-window
Local resident and SO-CAL friend, Chris Crum (L), is seem checking out that cool Ryan Reed built Deuce 3-window belonging to Brian Williams, of Newport Beach. Nice car!
The SO-CAL shop
The SO-CAL shop with this year’s lineup (L to R): John and Sean Devine’s Iridium Silver ’72 Bronco, Robin “Silky” Silk’s Pro-Mod, Bill and Brad Lindig’s Deuce Sport Coupe, the Veazie Bros. Olds powered Hiboy, and Carl Akins “Bad Boy” Deuce 3W Coupe.

Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the October 2016 print issue of the Drive Magazine.