Cars and Coffee at Chrysler HQ

Carmine

Carmine

Old Man with a Hat
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These were taken on Sept. 17th... it's obvious I haven't had time for a big upload. In some ways it was very different than what many of your would consider a typical "cruise" or even the annual Chrysler Employee Motorsports Association (CEMA) show held in the same area. This event is put on by Chrysler Design, so a very different crowd (although there was some crossover... like myself, lol).

In several ways this was nice. In several ways it was kind of disturbing. I'll make like Bambi's mom and just tell you what I liked about it...

1) No BS registration so we can all keep track of who wins for shiniest E-body paint award. Yuck. Just show up, park for a couple hours, wander around with a cup of coffee (or a strawberry smoothie in my case).

2) There was a DJ, but since he was under 80, the volume wasn't at 11 and it wasn't "shadda-dadda-boop-boop-she-bop-a-woppa-ding-dong" music. The guy was really good and played everything form non-top 40 Bob Seger to 80s Michael Jackson and even a couple techno songs. A pleasent surprise that would surely never occur anywhere else.

3) A lot of people came with unusual cars that you never see at traditional shows. That's obviously good and bad. I actually enjoy looking at weird Japanese-domestic-market cars, or probably the last running Renault Encore. I could care less about the hand-me-down Accord your parents gave you; and now you've painted the calipers lime green. Sorry, it's still garbage.

There I am violating the Bambi rule... so let's begin...

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Let me tell you, if it wasn't for L-platfom cars (which unlike newer Mustang/Camaros are not all instant collector's items and fairly useless as everyday cars) the car shows of the future would all be subcomapct tuner-crap with neon cold air intakes.

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Sorry, but I did find this hilarious. Don't want it in my driveway, but I'm glad it showed up.

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Local celebrity and Twitter user Ralph Giles was there with an entourage.

I contenplated how many tens of thousands of dollars of damage could occur had I mistaken reverse for drive.

Old cars were not all that well represented, either by number or (in some cases) quality...

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I imagine you see few of these stickers at the CEMA show, or in those parts of the world where this would get you thrown off a building.

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A nice highlight was the original Challenger concept parked next to a 2008 version. Unlike most production cars, this one improved. For example, the A-posts actually got thinner, the ugly block letters and gunsight grille didn't make the cut. Tailight design got more retro (and better). The only place where the concept wins are the side view mirrors.

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I didn't hear a word about this, in fact the last one they had I was told was going to be the only 1 of the year. Looks like I didn't miss much though...
Thanks for posting the highlights!
 
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In the background is my friend Tom's Coronet convertible. He's a long time, second generation Chrysler employee. I'll have to have you say hello to him.

I had Detmatt do that earlier this summer. It catches him off guard....
 
detmatt said:
I didn't hear a word about this, in fact the last one they had I was told was going to be the only 1 of the year. Looks like I didn't miss much though...
Thanks for posting the highlights!
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Ehh, for the low-effort vs. enjoyment level, I'm glad I went.

Of course a highlight for me was talking Mexican RC's with a retired manager. He told me the following story...

"Back in '99, I ordered two Ramchargers shipped up from Mexico, one for my department in suspension design (looking at improvements) and the other for body-in-white study.

Eventually a truck arrived with just one, so I called the carrier to inquire. He told me they had quite a problem with Mexican citizens sneaking into transported SUVs to cross the border. I said 'That doesn't explain why one has been here a week and the other is still in Texas.' and he replied, 'You know that nice big center console? It also makes a decent toilet.' Right then, I knew which one was being assigned to my department!"
 
Carmine said:
Let me tell you, if it wasn't for L-platfom cars (which unlike newer Mustang/Camaros are not all instant collector's items and fairly useless as everyday cars) the car shows of the future would all be subcomapct tuner-crap with neon cold air intakes.
Click to expand...
Yeh....Thats what I'm afraid of also. There are some Tuners out there that are kinda cool, especially the group that shows up from the Cleveland area for the PPG show at the beginning of the year. Other than that........Thanks for the pics and yes there were some odd looking cars you just don't see.
 
I went to a Cars and Coffee last summer in Baltimore. It totally sucked! I could count the number of American classics on one hand. Nothing but Porsches, BMW's, Mercedes, and other garbage. I got the feeling from the sneers coming my way they didn't want my NYB parked near them. I'll never go to another one!
 
1978 NYB said:
I went to a Cars and Coffee last summer in Baltimore. It totally sucked! I could count the number of American classics on one hand. Nothing but Porsches, BMW's, Mercedes, and other garbage. I got the feeling from the sneers coming my way they didn't want my NYB parked near them. I'll never go to another one!
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You kinda just nailed why this region, despite its warts, will always be "home" for me. And why Phoenix > than other nice weather locales for the winter. I expect this difference will lessen over time as we transition from superpower-to-tourist destination, but the coasts have been there for decades.
 
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I have never been to one of these because any that are near me I'm sure are on the other side of town and I have to go there everyday of the week.
Local shows are a mixed bag that usually wears me out in a half hour. I'll just stick to Mopar only shows.
I do like the one at the racetrack, it's free to get in and brings out some cool old race cars and others.
 
1978 NYB said:
I went to a Cars and Coffee last summer in Baltimore. It totally sucked! I could count the number of American classics on one hand. Nothing but Porsches, BMW's, Mercedes, and other garbage. I got the feeling from the sneers coming my way they didn't want my NYB parked near them. I'll never go to another one!
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I go to one near here that's pretty good. There's always a turnout of Metric Challengers and newer Mustangs, but the rest is a pretty good mix of cars. There's always a few "ricer" types, but not worth mentioning. They had 300 cars there a couple weeks ago.

They do a door prize raffle (free) and a 50/50 with proceeds going to a local charity.

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What's the yellow convertible in post #5 with the black stripe on the bonnet? That looks kinda cool. The green AMC under it doesn't look to shabby either. Thanks for sharing the pics. :thankyou:
 
Thanks for sharing. Good thing about a show like this one is you don't feel obligated to stay! Check it out and leave if you want.
 
That Hornet SC360 sure is a rare sight. Love These rather unsuspecting hipo stuff.
 
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