Back to the Bricks®
February 2021 Newsletter
|
|
WHO'S READY FOR SOME FUN??? |
|
The latest from the Chairman of the Board |
|
I’m sitting here at my computer writing this Newsletter, looking outside at the biggest snowstorm of the year. And you know, all I can think about is this upcoming Summer and Back To The Bricks®. The more and more I speak with my friends in the Collector Car community, all our Amazing Sponsors, the fantastic Committee members and many-many volunteers, I can truthfully say we are all excited to get this winter over with and get our cars back on the road and go to all the Back To The Bricks® events.
That brings me to our newest event to the Back to the Bricks® line-up, the Dust ’em Off Car Cruise, sponsored by General Motors and brought to you by Dort Financial Credit Union. Al Jones, Vice Chairman of Back to the Bricks® and the Chairman of this event, has told me that plans are going smoothly and this event will be the place to get your new Summer 2021 T-Shirt collection started. The save-the-date is Sunday, May 23, 2021, at the Dort Financial Center, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm and we hope to see you all there. Registration and more information coming soon.
The Back To The Bricks®, Visionary Promo Tour 2021, June 4-9, 2021, is in full throttle going forward. I know that this will be the best Promo Tour yet in spite of all the problems of 2020. Pete Cimbala and Rhonda Rau, Co-Chairs of the event, are having regular Zoom meetings with their committee. All registered participants of the 2020 Promo Tour that did not cancel last year will receive an email before February 25, 2021 to verify that they want to participate in the 2021 event. Registration for new participants, (limited spots available) will start the first part of March. New participants can register online at backtothebricks.org after March 5, 2021. A Special Email will be sent out to our newsletter subscribers to offer a chance to register.
Our Executive Director Amber Taylor has been working through the Winter months with Ralph Messer on our all NEW Back To The Bricks® website which should be rolling out soon. The new website will have a similar look to our current site, but will be faster and have many new features making the user experience easier and better than ever.
Something else pretty neat has taken place recently downtown. As soon as we dedicated the flag poles at the GM Statue Plaza on July 30, 2020, I thought of having our own flag. George Killeen had the same idea and call me to talk about a Back To The Bricks® unique flag. Talking to George I could see he was excited about the flag project so I said, “Would you be interested in getting a prototype made so we could look at it”. George and his wife Barbara said “Sure” and along with Gary Alumbaugh, a graphic designer, they put together a perfect design.
On Friday, February 12, George Killeen and John Gazall, Chairman of the Automotive Heritage Committee, and myself raised the Back to the Bricks® flag for the first time.
The date we raised the flag at the GM Statue Plaza for the first time was unique, being that it would have been the opening date of Chrome & Ice 2021. We were sad to not host the event this year due to the pandemic and current restrictions, but we know that 2022 will be a show stopper of an event. (See photos below)
I've recently talked to Linda & Bob Moore, Chairs of Merchandise Sales, and they said, “We would be interested in selling the BttB flag at our Summer Events”. This is a new addition to our merchandise line-up and one I know will be a big seller. I can't wait to get one for my garage.
Hope to see you at one or all of the 16 Back To The Bricks® events in 2021.
|
|
|
|
|
As always, stay safe, wear your mask and do your part. We want to all get out and have some fun this Spring!
Steve Hobson
Chairman of the Board
Back to the Bricks®
stevehobson@backtothebricks.org
|
|
|
Downtown Statue Plaza has a new Flag |
|
 |
Pictured left to right: John Gazall, Chairman of the Automobile Heritage Committee & George Killeen |
|
|
|
We are very proud of our new Flag Poles in Downtown Flint, make sure you stop by and see them in their glory flying high at the Statue Plaza. |
|
|
|
|
For Sponsorship Opportunities
|
The First Official Event of the year is May 23rd,
Dust 'em Off Car Show
More details to come!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Important dates to know about!!!! |
Visionary Promo Tour
June Jun 4-9th 2021
Awards Ceremony to take place
on the evening of June 8th
|
|
|
Tune Up Week
August 9-14th 2021
|
|
FREE Concert
Friday August 20th 2021
|
|
Main Event
Saturday August 21st 2021
|
|
A more detailed Back to the Bricks(R) events calendar will be coming out on our website and social media pages soon!
|
|
What's new with our Executive Director |
|
Hey everyone!
Buuuurrrrr it's sure been chilly out. I know Peyton has enjoyed the few TRUE Snow days we've already had. She gets bundled up and plays in the snow, it makes me happy to see her enjoying the seasons we get here in the state shaped like a hand. The other night around 8pm we got the call school was cancelled, so we both got our winter gear on and went outside and made Snow Angels. It was a truly magical time for us. I love being able to make these memories with her.
She and I talk about all the events coming up, and we BOTH can't wait for August. But before we get to the fun in the Summer, I am totally excited about the Dust 'em Off Car Show. How cool to add to our already fun line-up for 2021. BUT WAIT, there's more!!!!
We have another, exciting and all new event coming to Back to the Bricks®. We have been working behind the scenes, the last few months on planning an all new type of event with historical meaning and fun.
I'm thrilled to announce that the day after the Dust 'em Off Car Show we will be GOLFING!!!! Back to the Bricks® presents, Drive to the Course held at the Historic Flint Golf Club, where GM was basically invented, on Monday, May 24th 2021. This Golf outing will be supporting the Scholarship and Education Fund. We will have details on team sign ups SOON! We are still looking for sponsors, so if you are interested in being a sponsor, or want more information on what you can do to support this event, please let me know.
Well, back to work I go! I have meetings planned, and FUN things to talk about soon. Stay tuned-into our Newsletters and Social Media, more announcements coming soon!
Have a GREAT day, week and Month everyone!
Amber Taylor
Executive Director
Back to the Bricks®
Direct: 810-877-8383
|
|
|
Would love to work with you!
If you or someone you know owns a business, and wants top notch exposure, has a passion to give to local students, message Executive Director Amber Taylor today for more details!
|
|
|
|
|
Unisex Sherpa Quarter-Zip Pullover Two Color Choices |
|
NEW Winter Hat and Scarf Set Three Options |
|
Sport-Tek Ladies Tech Fleece Colorblock Full-Zip Hooded Jacket Two Color Options, Also Available in Mens |
|
|
|
This month's Newsletter WINNER is:
Dawn Jamison of Swartz Creek
Congratulations on winning!
This month's special prize is a Back to the Bricks Hat, and Collectors Shirt!
You will receive an email with more details!
|
|
|
Al’s Garage
Vol. #2, Issue #2
We hope that you are staying warm and are signing up for your Covid-19 shots, if you want them or perhaps you've already received them. I think trying to stay warm is even a bigger challenge than trying to get an appointment for the C-19 vaccination.
I have decided to write about this year’s auto auction schedule which has kicked off with the Mecum Kissimmee that recently took place in January of this year. What I am about to say is strictly an opinion and observation that is not backed up by any hard science. With that said I only ask do not throw stones, but marshmallows are okay.
Like the past couple of years, it appears that the auction line-ups are dominated by ‘resto mods’ and pickup trucks. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, but the hammer prices are going through the roof. Six figure sell prices have become the norm as many of the resto mod creations are bringing double the sell figures of their original brethren. Take in point, a ’67 big block Corvette coupe, restored, typically hammers down anywhere from $70K to $150K on a good day. The same series C-2 is resto mod with a L-3 engine, late model suspension, new interior, custom wheels and even late model Corvette chassis commonly hammers down in the low $100’s to $250K or more dependent upon the builder’s reputation and the quality and craftmanship of the finished product.
If a potential buyer can afford it then go for it. But keep in mind, typically what goes up fast can come back down equally at the same pace. Take in point; remember the French built Amphicar and their ascension into unheard prices? Hammer prices on a fully restored sample were in the six-figure range. Today’s prices are in the $70K to $90K or slightly more. Still expensive but the prices have come down. Other models include the twenty-three window VW’s, Porsches, Ferrari and even muscle cars. Most of these cars have ‘settled’ into moderation but still expensive but most of our standards.
Viewing street rods (pre-1948) have taken it on the chin. I witnessed a fresh build of a ’32 Ford Vicky hammer down for $40K. By all appearances, the car looked like a great build and I said to myself ‘there is no way you could build a car like this car for $40K’! As sure as I am sitting here, I know that there are exceptions to most of these examples and additionally I am certain that some of you will take issue with what I have written. I am okay with that as all of us are entitled to are individual opinions. Feedback is always welcome, and I would enjoy hearing back from you.
Keep on Rollin’
Al Hatch
Founder of the Back to the Bricks®
|
|
Friends of Back to the Bricks® Program
|
|
Have you wanted to be involved more with the Back To The Bricks®? Ever wanted to volunteer at any or all of our events? Well we have KICKED off an all new Volunteer program called, Friends of Back To The Bricks®.
Friends of Back To The Bricks® is a volunteer program designed to help grow our volunteer base, continue to educate our car community on history and heritage, and ensure the future of our amazing Car shows and events for the community.
Friends of Back To The Bricks® is in the infancy stage, we have BIG plans for the future, and eventually this program will be more of an exclusive club within our organization. We plan to provide exclusive discounts, freebies, opportunities to hear about our future plans, and grow our Committees and Board by selecting amazing volunteers from within this group.
If you are anyone you know loves to help, volunteer or be apart of something pretty unique, click this link and sign up today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
