Call us nuts, but we were actually feeling pretty good after reading this piece from the Detroit Free Press. Writer Mark Phelan brings up some great points and actually clues us in on some existing technology that is going to give some immediate help (when implemented) in the fuel economy department of gasoline engines.

There’s so much doom and gloom happening in the media on a nearly daily basis with respect to cars, especially the types of cars we like. It was great to read something that actually gave us some hope for the future that isn’t pie in the sky fantasy.

If you are looking for some positive muscle car ju-ju click on the link to the Detroit Free Press story.

Detroit’s annual Woodward Dream Cruise rolled into town this weekend along with droves of visitors looking to get in on the fun and Cruise Woodward. The estimated attendance was to the tune of just over 1 million visitors, which is said to be a few hundred thousand less than last year, although I’m not sure exactly how you’d go about counting everyone. Despite the Los Angeles-style traffic that comes with so many visitors, the boost in the economy is more than welcome around these parts. I even saw a few nuns, of all people, hustling visitors for their prime parking spots at a church parking lot. Well done sisters!

For Detroiters, it was a pleasant surprise to see the American automakers on hand and still showing their support for the event. Ford went as far as shutting down a portion of 9 mile Rd. in Ferndale,MI to turn it into Mustang Alley, lining both sides of the street with Mustangs from all generations and styles. It was pretty impressive such a variety of Mustangs including the original Shelby’s from the mid-60’s.

Continue reading and view more photos at MotorMavens.com

See all the hot rides from the Motor City show!

I guess it’s not terribly surprising at this point, but… Dunno what to say, really. Read the story at Reuters and then let us know what you think!

According to new General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson, it’s a distinct possibility that the company could leave Detroit as all options to save the massive company are being looked at. It seems that bankruptcy is a guarantee at this point and once this mess hits the courts, look out.

GM leaving Detroit may not be as big a deal as it once would have been as the company has been “leaving” Detroit for over 20 years as it has gradually degraded to the precarious point it sits in now.

Just to prove that this is not a hoax, here’s a link to the story laying it out.

Ford has announced that it will use $550 million to transform its Michigan assembly plant. The plant has been building Expeditions and Navigators but will converted to build the next generation Focus and 2011 Focus battery-electric variant (BEV). Is this a good move or a little too risky? Via Left Lane News.

Funny spin on the famous anti-drug commercial of the 80s. Compare it to the original. Via Detroit News

Last fall, we were all talking about the build (that’s the number of cars that need to be built to satisfy US demand) being 12.1 million for 2009, down from 16 million or so in 2007. Then in December, Ford called 10 million. Last month, the word going around was 8.5 million. A bunch of us were sitting around at work yesterday and crunched some numbers. Based on January and February sales, the 2009 build could be less than 6 million cars. No one, OEM, Tier or otherwise, is going to escape that number without certain damage, if not failure. As cheezy as this sounds, I’m asking you: please, go buy a new car today.

Things have changed in the last forty years… or have they? I pasted more pics after the jump, but you can see the full set over at flickr

My buddy Dale (AKA Peelerboy for his Schwinn obsession) just built a sweet ride page for his beautiful 4 speed 1971 Dodge Challenger. He restored this car back in 1992, but as you can see from this recent photo at  Milan Dragway, it’s no trailer queen! The old Mopar runs the quarter in 12.92 on Polyglas tires! If that’s not cool enough, Dale is living the dream of being a automotive designer in Detroit. Anyway, check out his ride and leave a comment in his guestbook!