Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Shades of Champ Car/IRL: Birmingham exits Dream Cruise, starts own same-day event ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/17/shades-of-champ-car-irl-birmingham-exits-dream-cruise-starts-o/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/17/shades-of-champ-car-irl-birmingham-exits-dream-cruise-starts-o/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/17/shades-of-champ-car-irl-birmingham-exits-dream-cruise-starts-o/#commentsFiled under: , ,

At first blush, the city of Birmingham's decision to pull out of its official relationship with the Woodward Dream Cruise doesn't strike us as a big deal. After all, 40,000 or so classic cars are expected to descend on the historic Woodward Avenue just south of the Motor City whether Birmingham has representation on the Dream Cruise's Board of Directors or not. Officials representing the Cruise, though, don't quite agree with this assessment.

The Detroit News reports that Dream Cruise board President Greg Rasse sent a not-so-friendly letter to Birmingham City Manager Tom Markus requesting that the city cease-and-desist using Woodward Dream Cruise logos and event name when promoting its own event, which is scheduled to run concurrently with the official Dream Cruise. Not terribly surprising, given that Birmingham's departure from the Dream Cruise Board means that the city is not paying the Board or its Executive Director any money.

No matter what happens, the show must go on, as they say, and we'll be there as always this August with digital SLRs in tow and live streaming video of all the action. We don't imagine that many of those attending the Cruise in 2009 will notice the difference, and we hope the organizers and the locales involved can get along well enough not to ruin an enjoyable event.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Shades of Champ Car/IRL: Birmingham exits Dream Cruise, starts own same-day event originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It is estimated that up to 200 Fiat executives would relocate to Michigan if Fiat ends up owning Chrysler, and the city of Birmingham, Michigan wants them. It's gearing up for something like an Olympic bid to attract prosperous Continental types, and is joined in the effort by nearby city Bloomfield Hills. The two cities are regular landing spots for top level execs -- Zetsche, Wagoner, Henderson and Nardelli, among others -- with beautiful real estate, high property values, and a high school founded to serve transplanted kids.

A Birmingham real estate agent is planning to present its relocation services to the local Italian consulate. and the Bloomfield Hills International Academy is considering an Italian extracurricular program. To sweeten the deal, the owner of a boutique shoe store pitches the fact that only she and the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas sell $1,595 Chrissie Morris high heeled sandals. No, it's not Turin and the surroundings are the Piedmont -- but a fresh million in Birmingham will get you 3,000 square feet more living space and a yard, and if you're going to be in Michigan anyway...

[Source: Bloomberg]

REPORT: Detroit businesses lining up to court Fiat execs with... $1,600 sandals?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>birminghambloomfield hillsBloomfieldHillsdetroitetcfiatlifestylemichiganWed, 10 Jun 2009 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford celebrates 45 years of the Mustang at Barber Motorsports Park]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/20/ford-celebrates-45-years-of-the-mustang-at-barber-motorsports-pa/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/20/ford-celebrates-45-years-of-the-mustang-at-barber-motorsports-pa/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/20/ford-celebrates-45-years-of-the-mustang-at-barber-motorsports-pa/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It's been 45 years since Ford introduced the Mustang, and the Blue Oval chose Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL as ground zero for the big pony car celebration. Track officials estimated more than 38,000 people came out to see about 2,000 Mustangs on display from 15 different countries, and Autoblog was among the revelers.

The Mustang Club of France showed up with a dozen or so 2010 Mustangs they'd rented, Steve Saleen was signing autographs, Ford CEO Alan Mulally made a surprise appearance and the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge had two rounds of competition. There were fully-restored, low-mileage Mustangs trailered in from as far away as California and one dirt-encrusted, 1966 GT350H brought in straight from its 29-year stint in an Alabama shed. All three levels of the track's paddock area were full of Ford's iconic muscle car, as were the grassy fields normally reserved spectator parking.

When the track wasn't being used for racing, vintage and late-model Mustang owners got the chance to see what their cars could really do. The distinctive whine of Roush superchargers melded with bassy roars of 40-year-old small-blocks for a pulse-quickening aural collage, providing a singular soundtrack for the event.

Looming clouds began to gather on Saturday afternoon, but only a few sprinkles had fallen by mid-day Sunday. For the most part, temperatures in the upper 60s made walking around the landscaped track a truly memorable experience.

Happy Birthday, Mustang. Here's looking forward to another forty five!


Gallery: Ford celebrates 45 years of Mustangs

Ford celebrates 45 years of the Mustang at Barber Motorsports Park originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>45th anniversary45thAnniversaryalan mulallyAlanMulallybarber motorsportsbarber motorsports parkBarberMotorsportsBarberMotorsportsParkbirminghamclassic mustangsClassicMustangsford mustangFordMustangpony carPonyCarRoushsaleenShelbystangMon, 20 Apr 2009 08:28:00 EST