The best part of doing an Autopian meetup is the people. That’s why any of us do this. People are what make cars interesting, not the other way around. That being said, when it’s an Autopian gathering, it’s also fun to find out what people are driving.
I’m currently sitting in one of the suites at Michigan International Speedway waiting to drive a series of custom Ford vehicles, which should be a lot of fun. As part of my journey here, I stopped over in Parma, Ohio to meet up with some readers.
Ohio, as they’ve done before, showed up to welcome us.
Right off the bat, I noticed a familiar face in an extremely familiar AMC AMX that was at our last Ohio meetup and looks absolutely perfect. Next to that, a manual Honda Civic Type R in a great color (it is Honda country, after all)
There were not one, but two, Cadillacs Blackwing (both kinds, Country and Western), also in excellent colors.
Oh, cool. An Acura TL with SH-AWD. I always have liked the way these looked and thought of them as an attractive and understated alternative to the BMWs of the era.
Wait, wait, wait. It’s a manual! It’s a Holy Grail. The one Thomas wrote about a couple of years ago. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen one in person. The owner also has a manual Acura ILX. That is very specific but incredible taste.
How is it possible that a Caprice survived this long in Ohio? I never got around to asking the owner as we were too busy talking about other stuff, but it’s a miracle.
Jake brought this Toyota Crown Royal Saloon, and there’s a very specific detail that I love on this car–a car made up of interesting details.
The lace on the seats has little crowns stitched into it! Incredible. Jake got this car in Japan when he worked there and imported it (and I hear another of his Japanese cars will show up at the Detroit meetup).
Before Slate put a JBL speaker in its truck, an Autopian reader beat them to the punch. Also, a manual transmission shorty Ranger is always a welcome sight.
Also, the Supervan shirt and a Transit Connect Custom tattoo? Perfect.
Somehow, I didn’t get a photo of the sweet modified Toyota Land Cruiser, unmodified Subaru Forester, and red Ford Transit Connect that showed up. As usually happens, we chatted the whole time, and I ended up scarfing down a BBQ sandwich in the Explorer after everyone left.
It’s so encouraging and invigorating to hear everyone’s stories and just talk cars with our amazing chill readers. Thank you for having us, Ohio, and see more of you tonight in Detroit!
All photos: Matt Hardigree
Spoke with David and Matt via emails yesterday asking why wasn’t I informed about several of these events.. mainly the lime rock track day.. I told them they needed a events tab to keep track of their upcoming events.
Any chance we can get a meetup calendar? I’d hate to miss you if y’all come to the Wisconsin!
I left the greater Cleveland area 33 years ago, but if I was still there, I’d have made it to Parma.
You need to do one or two meetups in the PNW. We’re due! The LeMay — the self-titled “America’s Car Museum” in Tacoma would be a great location. They also have a storage and restoration facility, LeMay Collections at Marymount, but the parking lot at the museum is much larger and the site of many car club meetups. People in Oregon can give you suggested locations around Portland and perhaps further south along I-5. Portland International Raceway is a mile or two south of the Columbia River comes to mind, but again, I would defer to those who live closer.
Bummed I couldn’t make the Detroit meet. 696 east (specifically between the Lodge and 75) is the scourge of the west burbs heading north. But I assure those from last year who witnessed my Saab drop the rear exhaust basically in realtime – it’s not yet been replaced.
Time for another NC one, besides the mini ones with SWG and I at our local C&C that is
Makes me wish I was still living in Ohio. For a day.
All the cars are cool but I want to offer thunderous applause to the AMX. I flipping love those cars and the Javelin.
Had I’d known you were taking a photo of the interior, I would have cleaned it up a bit! That rag is hiding a Hurst shifter. Thanks for hosting, Matt. I’ll be back soon
The Gulf Coast has a very active enthusiast scene. Y’all should check it out.
Great meeting you all yesterday and glad you liked seeing my Crown! There’s no better car meet than hanging out with fellow dorks in the back of the Dick’s parking lot.
Thanks for setting this up Matt, and I hope there are more local events to come! I know you brought up potentially something at Mid-Ohio which would be awesome, I’d be there in a heartbeat!
Antimacassar! I love that word! My first time seeing it in a car!
I’ll admit I had to look that up!
I looked it up before posting because I thought it might refer only to the lace covers on arm rests, not on the back. So I learned it’s both. Anyhow, those are some very classy seats.
They’re originally just for headrests. The name is from old-school men’s hair products, as in protecting the a headrest from the hair grease.
Nice AMX and you guys need to do a meet around Chicagoland
If you’d had a Cheesesteak instead, you would have been a Parma-jawn.
Matt over Parma, last night!
And the walls fell.
Nice to see everybody and get to chat with you Matt. I regret not bringing my toyota van, but I’m glad I got to show off the TL for a minute.
Thanks for organizing and hosting!
Would the van have made it that far?
that’s the rub basically
Ok now do one in Waco
I second this.
Glad to represent! My car found the rain, darkness and construction zones on the way home. A good time by all.
I was there in spirit via the Supervan shirt
Thank you, again, for one of my favorite shirts
Thought the tattoo was a Honda Element at first.
I would 100% get an Element tattoo
Need some further elaboration on this.
Could be referencing an old joke: We play both types of music here–country and western.
Old joke! Sacrilige to defame the greatness of Bob’s Country Bunker, Claire and the Blues Brothers!
OMG, that’s right! I will need to find a suitable penance. Please be merciful.
Fifteen “Rawhides” a donation to St. Helen of the Blessed Shroud…and three Orange Whips
Two whole fried chickens, and a Coke.
I believe one was a CTS4 and the other was a CTS5…
Yeah, I meant which was which lol
Nice to meet everybody!
Amongst all the great cars, the Land Cruiser was lowkey super cool.