Wpc 2012

[Merle Coggins]

I thought I'd create a thread to document my WPC meet trip. Throughout the week I'll try to keep uploading daily photos to my Photobucket album at http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/mac2026/WPC%202012/

I got down to the Lake Express Ferry dock at 5:00AM and we boarded around 5:30 for a 6:00 departure.

2-1/2 hours later I was driving off the boat in Muskegon, MI.

I took a scenic ride down along the lake before heading inland to Kalamazoo. I arrived at the hotel around 2:30 local time. Other members have been filtering in throughout the afternoon. Here's a sampling of what's in the parking lot this evening.

A couple of nice T&C's

A pair of 55's? Chrysler and Imperial

Gotta love these

And, for you P15 guys (Ed probably knows these people. MN plates with a Tall Pines POC plate bracket)

More to come after tomorrow.

Merle

Edited July 11, 2012 by Merle Coggins

[greg g]

merle, make sure you look up bob and Wanda Vanbuskirk in their P15 Woody. I believe they will joi the group tomorrow in the aafternoon. thanks for the thread have fun. The WPC folks are a good group.

[Young Ed]

And, for you P15 guys (Ed probably knows these people. MN plates with a Tall Pines POC plate bracket)

Merle

Yes Merle thats Carls car. It was close to being my first p15 but Carl got it first. I couldn't have really afforded it anyways. If you see him say hi for me.

[JohnS48plm]

Merle, Is that the host hotel? My application said the host hotel was a Clarion and that looks like a Holiday Inn. I'm coming to the swap meet friday and I want to be in the right place. JohnS

[Merle Coggins]

Will do Ed.

John, The Clarion is now a Sheraton Four Points and there is a Holiday Inn Express that shares the parking lot. When you come here look for the sign with both hotels on it.

Merle

[BobT-47P15]

Ah yes.......the ol Airflow......probably a Chrysler.

Kinda odd looking but rather neat cars.

There's some older fella in this area who has a DeSoto Airflow,

in pretty much original rundown condition. A survivor type.

He brings it to cruise ins on occasion.

I went looking for Airflow pictures and happened onto this.....a 1936

Chrysler Airstream - woody. Surely a faux woody. And a rod to boot.

Sorta neat though.

Or, you can street rod an Airflow.........

or.......

[Young Ed]

Ah yes.......the ol Airflow......probably a Chrysler.

Or, you can street rod an Airflow.........

I know this one too. A guy in our plymouth club owned it and got to the point where he was getting too old and knew he wouldn't fix it. The guy he sold it to rodded it. Its got a hemi under the hood. It was street rod the year for MSRA back a few years and was on the t shirt for back to the 50s.

[Merle Coggins]

Day 2 of the trip... Day 1 of the meet. We started out driving up to W.K. Kellogg's summer home, now part of Michigan State University. The house has been restored and we were given guided tours. Very nice, overlooking the north end of Gull Lake.

Imagine the view of the lake when the trees were 80 years younger. This pic was taken out of Mrs. Kellog's bedroom window.

From there he had lunch at a local establishment, Blackhawk Bar & Grill... in the barn. http://blackhawkgrill.com/

After lunch we convoyed over to OFF Brothers collection. I was told that OFF stands for Only For Fun. Here's a sampling of their collection. View the rest here. http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/mac2026/WPC%202012/OFF%20Brothers/

[Merle Coggins]

After we spend some time at Off Brothers Collection we headed over to the Gilmore Museum to get a preview of their new Heratige Center and library. We also stayed until their weekly cruise night began at 5:00. The camera battery was running out of juice by then so photo taking was at a premium. The battery is on the charger as I type so it's ready to go again tomorrow.

Here's a few pics from the cruise night.

Several interesting rides, but couldn't keep the camera going for more pics. There's a few more here. http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/mac2026/WPC%202012/Gilmore%20Cruise%20Nite/

[james curl]

I sold my Toyota to a Sculptor in Jerrell, Texas that has a Toyota pick the same model as the one pictured.

[52b3b Joe]

I was at the Off Brothers collection a couple years ago. Those guys are very nice and have more money than they know what to do with, but I'm not saying I wouldn't do the same with all that money! I am still debating on coming up for the show Saturday. Its about a three hour drive from my house. I just don't know if I want to spend half the day driving. Can you register right at the show or do you need to go to the hotel first to register if I come up just for Saturday?

[JohnS48plm]

Merle , Look for me friday at the swap meet. I loaded up my parts today. JohnS

[Niel Hoback]

Off brothers collection pictures; http://www.lackophoto.com/Galleries/tabid/58/AlbumID/401-217/Default.aspx

[Merle Coggins]

52b3b218, I don't know about onsite registration, but I suspect not. And I doubt that there'll be anyone at the hotel during the show. I believe everyone is preregistered. However, if you show up with a vehicle I'm sure you'd be allowed to park near by where everyone can look at it. You may have to pay admission to the museum though.

[52b3b Joe]

Ok, thanks for the info.

[Merle Coggins]

Day 2 of the meet, day 3 of my trip.

Today we drove over to Holland, MI to see Lloyd VerHage's Mopar collection. He's got some very nice cars. http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/mac2026/WPC%202012/Lloyd%20VerHage%20Mopar%20Collection/

I've never seen so many Airflow's in one week. Lloyd has 2 in his garage. One DeSoto and one Chrysler Imperial

And apparently he loves the pre '70's Barracuda's

He had a couple of VERY nice T&C's our front and a couple more in the shop getting restoration.

[Merle Coggins]

From there we drove down to South Haven for a chicken dinner at a bowling ally, and then over to another private collection. This one from another long time WPC member and Chrysler dealership owner, Red McFadden.

Full album here http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/mac2026/WPC%202012/Red%20McFadden%20Collection/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ24

Quick view pics;

Edited July 12, 2012 by Merle Coggins

[Merle Coggins]

Today we were set up to visit the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. It was an interesting airplane/aerospace museum with many interactive displays and rides for the kids. But there was also some very interesting things for grown ups too. It wasn't really car related so I didn't upload any of my pictures from this one.

When we got back to the hotel the junk-in-the-trunk swap was happening in the parking lot. I talked with JohnS briefly, but since I'm not working on a P15 he didn't have anything that I needed. However, the guy next to him sold me a Town & Country. Now I've got a woody convert.

I'm having a great time. Talking with and cruising with many great people like the VanBuskirks. We had an interesting cruise yesterday on the way to Holland. A bunch of us got seperated from the lead group and we were now being lead by a couple of T&C's. All of a sudden Bob VanBuskirk pulled over onto the shoulder with his P15 woody wagon. Thinking he had a problem we stopped too. Well, the problem was that he realized that we were off course. We all got turned around and finally got back on course, thanks to Bob's guidence.

Tomorrow is the big show, Gilmore Museum tour, and Banquet. Many pics to upload after that.

Merle

[1940plymouth]

Merle, thanks for all the photos, I have enjoyed them very much. Looking forward to seeing more when you get time.

Any '40 Plymouths there to be seen?

By the way, my new issue of "Classic Car" came today, there is a very interesting article on the evolution of the design of the Airflows

[moparbenny]

Today we were set up to visit the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. It was an interesting airplane/aerospace museum with many interactive displays and rides for the kids. But there was also some very interesting things for grown ups too. It wasn't really car related so I didn't upload any of my pictures from this one.

When we got back to the hotel the junk-in-the-trunk swap was happening in the parking lot. I talked with JohnS briefly, but since I'm not working on a P15 he didn't have anything that I needed. However, the guy next to him sold me a Town & Country. Now I've got a woody convert.

I'm having a great time. Talking with and cruising with many great people like the VanBuskirks. We had an interesting cruise yesterday on the way to Holland. A bunch of us got seperated from the lead group and we were now being lead by a couple of T&C's. All of a sudden Bob VanBuskirk pulled over onto the shoulder with his P15 woody wagon. Thinking he had a problem we stopped too. Well, the problem was that he realized that we were off course. We all got turned around and finally got back on course, thanks to Bob's guidence.

Tomorrow is the big show, Gilmore Museum tour, and Banquet. Many pics to upload after that.

Merle

reminds me of my Duesenburg collection:rolleyes: Glad your having fun Merle! thanks for sharing:)

[JohnS48plm]

The swap meet was small but I took home less than I brought, so I guess it was successful for me. Tomorrow is the big show, the Barracuda is all cleaned up and ready. It was nice to talk to Merle and Bob, hope Merle gets some nice pictures at the show. JohnS

[wallytoo]

nice pics of some very interesting cars.

i took my kids to a local model "T" show today. several that were driven, but also a bunch that are in the "ice house museum". there was also a 1930 model A with only 525 original miles on it. the museum also has a 1904 model "C" which could be the 11th produced in 1904, and a 1909 (or 1906) sears roebuck car.

my digital camera was acting up, and wouldn't take pics, so unfortunately, i can't post any.

wally

[Merle Coggins]

Today was show day. Sunny and hot, but not bad if you could get out of the sun. You can browse my full album here, http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h254/mac2026/WPC%202012/?start=all but here are a couple of my favorites.

'32 Imerial... WOW!!

DeSoto Convertable.

And I really love this '55 Dodge

And I can't forget JohnS's Barracuda (That's John standing behind it)

[Merle Coggins]

Officially announced last night at the banquet... Next year's meet will be in Lake Elmo, MN. (East side of the Twin Cities) So make your plans and come to the land of 9,999 lakes and enjoy the show for yourselves.

Also, 2014 will be back here, in Detroit. And 2015 will be in Springfield, IL. They're also talking about 2016 being in Maine.

Gettin' ready to check out and head back to the ferry.

Merle

[greg g]

Merle thanks for the updates ad photos. We were disappointed that we were not able to make the trip. Looks like a great get together. Who knows maybe next year. Did you have your truck judged. Did it place? Looked good, and must have run good to get you there and back. Glad you enjoyed the exoereince.