So the Detroit Grand Prix event is tomorrow so why not throw the car up on the lift for a once over? I tweaked the exhaust to level the muffler and tightened all the exhaust fasteners from to back. I drained and replaced the trans fluid in the TKO. I did a nut-and-bolt check on the front end and brakes. After dinner I’m draining the radiator so I can replace the AutoCoolGuy PWM fan controller temp sensor then refill the coolant. Check the fluids and belts then the tires. Tomorrow I’ll swap the grille center sections and add the new Mercury sticker to the grille emblem and do a quick wash. Staging time is 4:30pm and I’ve got about a 30 minute drive.
That was pretty cool! Car show that got a lap on the actual downtown Detroit circuit then parked on the track for the show itself! Great mix of cars from a model A to vintage and current Japanese and European cars to low riders to muscle cars and vintage American cars.
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I went to a friends C&C this morning.
This afternoon I dug out the spare set of taillights I bought years ago and started to break them down in preparation for my incoming LED panel taillights.
The gaskets were crusty and the lenses dirty but cleaned up OK. I’ll work on polishing them this week and get gaskets at my local NPD location. I’ve also got some other parts to grab while I’m there. I’ve ordered the pricey repop taillight grilles from NPD and hope to have them soon.
I went to see the Hot Rod Power tour at their MI stop on Thursday. 60 miles each way, mostly freeway. I spent about 2 hours wandering around and saw well less than half of the attendees.
Today I met some friends at the former Ford Piquette plant museum for a small Cars & Coffee then museum tour. This was the first production site of the Ford Motor Company and it was cool to see firsthand. Cars were made here by Ford until 1909 then it changed hands to become a Studebaker plant in 1911. It was purchased by a non-profit organization over 20 years ago being steadily rebuilt and filled with the cars Ford made up until the Model T.
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Power Tour shots. I only spotted two Cougars-1968 in Area 51 blue and a 1968 in silver. I didn’t get pics of them.
It really is hard to grasp just how much automotive stuff is happening in Detroit and just how steeped this area is in the automotive industry. My recent pics captured an Indy event that runs through the city streets, a 5000+ car tour event sponsored by a global magazine, and a plant where the very first production Ford cars were made over 100 years ago. That was all in the last few weeks. Tomorrow, my Dad and I are attending the Eyes on Design show at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford Mansion in Grosse Pointe. This is a world class level Concourse event. I work in the auto industry and sometimes forget just how large, and influential, and frankly how cool, it can be.
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That’s awesome - thanks for sharing the pics! Would love to see some of those places and cars myself!
You’re welcome! Car season is short around these parts so I gotta make the most of the time we have.
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Eyes on Design is an amazing show held on the grounds of the former Edsel & Eleanor Ford mansion. I’ll let the pics speak for themselves.
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I decided to go all in on lighting this year and ordered a full set of custom LED projector headlights from Dapper Lighting and a set of Easy Performance LED panel style taillights. The headlights a ways out but I got the taillights this week. I’ve got a complete set of 69 taillights that I’m going to clean, modify and install these panels in then polish the lenses, install all new gaskets and a new set of grilles. Pics and process forthcoming. Teaser below.
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Interested on how the dapper head lights do. I want to replace mine too but want a stock looking light with led tech. I don’t want all the halo stuff.
If you haven’t done much plastic polishing try this stuff. I did my taillight lenses with it and they came out like new
https://a.co/d/iMA8ZGg
Dapper builds to order. Halo’s not required.
I decided to use the clear glass option, black interior structures, 30W LED projectors in all 4 positions. I did add the smoked halos and will wire them on the high beams to function as turn signals. Better night time visibility and with the headlight doors closed no haters!
Thanks for the info, I’m here on vacation visiting kids and grand kids. Checking out the Model T Ford museum. Grandson bringing his GT 350 foxbody from Portland OR for the big foxbody show in July. Waiting to see your headlights!
I’d suggest you take a trip to Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum. Fantastic places to see amazing history of all sorts.
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Yes been there several times. Thanks