May 17th, 2024

We've sent all the emails out to the registered Drivers for this Sunday's Show. Check your spam folders, the emails come from registrations@backtothebricks.org but just in case you missed it... Pre-registration is CLOSED, but anyone can attend after 10am.

• This year pre-registered vehicles start arriving at 9:00 am and will enter through the VIP parking lot off Lapeer and Averill St (do not enter through the Main Gate). After you get your QR code scanned and receive your T-shirt ticket, you will be directed to proceed to the show field. You will need to show your T-shirt ticket at the rear gate off Averill St to get in. 

• During the show we will do random drawings for prizes to all that checked in with their QR Code. You will need to listen to the DJ and check your phone often, as we will text the winners. We have food trucks and many vendors to enjoy. Don't forget to stop by the Official Back to the Bricks(R) Merchandise Trailer to get the latest gear. 

• As always we ask that everyone is respectful, and no loud music, or disruptive behavior. If you have an issue or need assistance, please go to the Back to the Bricks information Tent at the top of the hill. We want to thank all who made donations to help have this event and the cool giveaways that will be up for grabs.

• It's going to be WARM out, so please come prepared. Bring sunscreen, umbrellas, lots of fluids, and your folding chairs!

The map below is for reference...

Thanks to our Sponsor Huntington Bank, our Tune Up City partners, and the many volunteers and behind the scenes helpers that make this possible, we are THRILLED to announce the Tune Up Week Schedule for August 5^th – 10^th, 2024!

Registration will open on Sunday May 19^th, so get ready to Cruise around Genesee County and the surrounding areas car fans, we are going to have a BLAST!!!!

Tony Bauer, Chairman of Tune Up Week would like to thank everyone that submitted their vehicles to be considered for the featured T-shirts we giveaway each night. Hundreds of submissions were received, but it comes down to picking only 6 cars. Those to all be announced at a later date.

Al’s Garage

Vol. 5, Issue #5

"Some serious garage time"

I recently authored an article for Cruis’n News™ titled the ‘Great Garage Purge.’ Looking around my garage I suddenly realized I had become what many would call a pack rat. Every corner of my garage had stuff stacked in them. Lumber in one corner, PVC pipe and tubing in another, cement blocks in the far-left corner and a file cabinet in the far-right corner. I should go thru the file cabinet and see what treasures I might find in as much I have not opened it in years. Fortunately, I have succeeded in getting rid of some items stowed away with the thought “I’m not going to throw that stuff away; I might need that someday!” Well, someday never rolls around.

Now that I have semi-organized the garage, I have turned my attention to a car that I purchased this past February. My son Phil met a fellow car enthusiast at this year’s Chrome & Ice™ Winter Indoor Car Show. She told him that her father was managing her late uncle’s estate and there was a car that he owned that had been in storage for more than forty years. It was a ‘Nash Healey.’ A 1953 LeMans Coupe. Phil called me about the car to which my reply was that I was interested, and that I would he be interested in making a trip to Chicago to take a look at it. Phil agreed to do so and let’s just say the ‘rest is history.’ The car now has taken up residence in my garage.

The engine and transmission along with the entire interior had been removed from the car but fortunately it was scattered around the garage where it sat in darkness for almost forty years. The engine was mounted in an engine stand and was rebuilt but never started. Dust had found its way in the garage and like the majority of ‘barn finds’ the car was very dirty. Phil and two of his close friends, Adam and Tim made a trip back to Chicago the following week to load up the car and bring it back to Michigan. At the time of their return my wife and I was still in Florida, and I have to say, I could not wait to return home to Michigan. 

Currently I am spending three to four hours a day putting the car back together. Somedays parts and pieces just fall into place. Other days I am not so lucky. I am getting used to the challenge of the ‘Ah Ha Phenomena’! That expression begs for an answer; ‘What is the Ah Ha Pneumonia’? Well, when you are working on a puzzle and finally figure out where the pieces fit it is usually followed by the quote ‘Ah ha,’ that’s where that piece goes. Needless to say, there is a small sense of accomplishment and when this happens, and it when this happens it makes my daily trips to the garage worthwhile.

This Sunday is the 4th Annual Dust ‘em Off Car Show™ at the Dort Financial Event Center in Flint, Michigan. Back to the Bricks® events committee set a goal of 1,000 cars pre-registered, and it looks like they made it! Come hang out with us, pick up some swap meet trinkets, purchase off the food trucks, and visit the sponsors and vendors. Oh, and see the rows and rows of cars. Hope to see you at the show!

Keep on Rollin'

Al Hatch

Founder of the Back to the Bricks® 

Chairman Emeritus