[opeljohn]

Hi Folks
Been meaning to post a message at this site for sometime and now getting a Round Tuit. Anyway for those of you who may not be aware of it I am trying to get Opelers to attend what I hope can be a Midwest Gathering. The event is an all weekend Car Show and Street Festival in Downtown Springfield IL Sept 24-26 2004. It is called the Route 66 Mother Road Festival. Info about the event can be found at www.route66fest.com. Some pictures from last years event was posted in the photo gallery of this site by Calvin. So far about 15 people have confirmed they are going to make it. Gil Wesson of Opel GT Source has sent some door prizes to be giving out at the event. The Motel we will use as a base of operation is the Baymont Inn off of So I55. The phone number there is 217-529-6655 and they have a special rate for the event. On Fiday night there is a cruise from the D.O.T. parking lot to the downtown area and then a park and peek. Those who want to do that should meet with us at the Baymont parking lot by 5m and i will lead the way over to the starting point. The big day should be Saturday the 25th. That morning we will meetat the Baymont parking lot by 8:am and travel as a group to the downtown show area so we can all park as a group. If you want to have breakfast we should meet by 7:am and hit the Cracker Barrel next door. There are also a Mcdonalds and Hardees close by.I plan on doing the door prizes that afternoon downtown. Along with the car show there will be bands on several stages, venders, Restoration clinics all in all quite a lot to do. This has something for those who do not normaly like car shows. That evening we can have dinner together if everyone so wishes at Nicks Italian Resturant. It has a Buffet or you can order off the Menu. I suspect later there should be a good bull session at the hotel. For those who want to do Sunday we will meet at the same times and once again go as a group. If you have other Questions feel free to call myself at 217-523-7018. If you need to contact me during the event 217-622-9828. I am not sure if we can save a spot for late arrivals but I am willing to try.We had a good turnout last year and this year is sure to be better. I hope to see a few more folks there.
Thanks
John Dickerson

P.S. I am getting some T-shirts made for the event. So far I am looking at about 24 or so. They should end up costing about 10-15 apiece. If you want one let me know your size. I hope to get the order in sometime in the next two weeks.

 

[calvin]

Carlisle is to far east and the OMC picnic and Ca to far west

For those of us in the middle this is our show

This show was a lot of fun last year. The show it's is pretty cool and they keep things open downtown for the show. It was about 16 blocks big last year and they had bands going at three or four different places.

I don't live in Springfield (or even really near it for that matter) and am not trying to be a flagwave for the city but they seem to have a good grasp of the situation and realize that the car show is good for the town and treat participants accordingly by flat out rolling out the red carpet.

They actually give up their downtown for a couple of days basically. This is not a small town, no it's not Chicago or St Louis but they put the show ahead of the convenience of the town and simply put up huge detours for the poor residents.. Tough luck to them… Horsepower TV is here. Positive press for the city, tourists from Europe with their Holy Grail route 66 Mecca tours. (They really think it is a big deal to drive route 66 over in Germany). There were gaggles of European tourists who diverted from Chicago just to catch the parade last year at the hotel

Springfield has a couple first rate places to eat (hey it's the state capitol and you know the politico's like there steakhouses). Things like the Frank Lloyd Wright house are open and there is an add a art show for those who are not so car oriented or who tire of piston talk after an hour or so.

They have parades and cruises and treat the show like it is the real deal... well it is.... They had a couple thousand cars to prove it. Don't worry if you ride isn't "show" quality the show part is only for those who enter to be judged. Heck last year across from us they had the junkyard dogs and these folks had cars that were real rust buckets.

There should be a better turn out than last year. People cam from as far away as Kansas, Iowa Missouri and Wisconsin so hopefully this year some of the Indiana folks (who we will meet next week in coalfax at the Indiana show) and maybe Ohio, lower Michigan and Tenn. will also come. John did get the best price in town and it is a good hotel not some fleabag.

Oh one other thing most of the cars are US made muscle cars, our Opel’s and the oddball mg who huddled up next to us for protection and a lone v8 tr8 are were about the only imports there. However the general consensus was the Opel’s belong as part of the GM family. Heck if the Pontiac Fiearos can win best “import” club at Carlisle there is no reason we can’t win best “domestic” car club this year.

So if you can drive or drag your Opel get it there.

See you in Sept! On route 66!!!!

 

[opeljohn]

Hi all
Got off the phone a little earlier with Ron Roy and he said he would be able to make it with his 73 GT. There is a picture of it at last years event in the photo gallery. Seemed like a good time to post some info for those who may be interested in making to the 66 Mother Road fest. I called the Baymont Hotel yesterday and they said they still had 9 rooms availible at the event special price. I have had a few more folks e-mail to say they would make it. If all goes well we could have between 15 and 20 Opels there. I have picked up a few more goodies to give to our group. I am going to try and get our group a little more spread out this time so that if we get a late comer we can squeeze them in. Don,t count on this but if you come late call me on the cell phone and I can let you know where we are at and if we can fit you in. I would like to do the door prizes and vote on top Opel at around 2:00 pm Saturday. I would suggest bringing chairs for the Car Show and your favorite beverage for any impromtu bull sessions. I am going to try and get the conference room for us at the hotel but not sure yet. At that time of year a jacket may come in handy. All Opels would be welcome at this event so don't worry about condition. I look foreward to seeing a lot of you here.
Thanks
John Dickerson

P.S. I should be off work by 1:00 pm Friday the 24th so feel free to call the cell number if you need help or info.

 

[opeljohn]

T-shirt art work

Just got the art work for the Mother Road event T-shirts posted on the Photo Galllery I think. I hope you folks like it. anyone who is interested in getting one at the event who has not already let me know thier size please do so soon as I am about to confirm the order.
Thanks
John

 

[calvin]

not seeing it john. try posting it here as it goes up instantly.

calvin

 

[Gary]

Here it is: http://opelgt.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=3840

 

[tekenaar]

Route 66 T-shirt

not seeing it john. try posting it here as it goes up instantly.

calvin

Just did exactly that!

 

[calvin]

I guess those aren't toooooo bad he said grudgingly noticing the powder puff gt and durable kadet have top billing being on both the front and back of the shirt while the Mighty Manta is only on the back..

(LOL just kidding they are good)


Still the unwashed masses can't tell the diff. between the kadet drawing and what a manta really looks like so I will just have to console myself with the fact that I spent part of the day chopping up a GT with a sawz-all to feed the Manta. Chalked it off like a side of beef... the thing is a TUB... and a horror to work on....but if anyone ever needs a chunk


actually John the tee shirts are very good..... hopefully a lot of Opel people will come and wear them. I see you designed them to be very cleverly show orientated with an eye to us winning the best domestic car club award. (in light of the slight from Carsile with the PONTIAC Fiero ??!!???!!!?? winning best import..

 

[opeljohn]

Ok one last post on the shirts and we will put this to bed. Thanks to Gary and Otto for getting artwork to come up. Wanted to let those who want one know that I will order them in 4 colors. I originally was going to go with just yellow but the folks making them said it would be ok to do more. So you have a choice of red, yellow, green, or blue, all with black print. This whole thing has gone a bit longer than I thought so I do need to make the final order by weeks end. Let me know what you need and I will see you in Springfield at the Mother Road.
John

 

[opeljohn]

Just a quick update on the show. If you pre-registered you have probably got your official entry packet by now. I did get the Shirt order in on Friday and the cost is set at $13.00 apiece. I was told I would have them by the 14th of this month. I did order a few extra in case some folks show up wanting one. I could not set up the meeting room at the hotel as it was already in use Saturday night and they wanted a cleaning charge if we used it Friday night. Also the manager had some worrys about us getting wild and dancing on the tables. I wasn't sure if I could promise that wouldn't happen. If the weather isn't bad we can sit outside on some picnic tables. The resturaunt I had in mind for dinner Saturday night closed, Hey I'm on a roll here. Not to worry the Filling Station Bar and Grill at the Route 66 Motel said they should be able to seat us. It has a buffet and menu items. Neat decor also, a Honda CB160 sits in glass outside the Resturaunt. Not sure how many rooms left at the Baymont but a Motel 6 and Ramada Limited are at the same exit. Look foreward to seeing a few of you here
John

 

[opeljohn]

Things are looking good for a big turnout at the show. I have had four people confirm they could make it in the last few days. Dave McCurley had his 71 GT out last week at a local show. It wasn,t ready last year and he said he would definitly have it ready for this years Mother Road and sure enough it is. A local Manta owner also said he would make Saturday. Larry Gilmore is bringing his white GT from up around Pontiac IL. But best of all a fella from Texas that I have wanted to meet for awhile said he was bringing a car to the show. All I can say is if you are into Opels, Springfield IL is the place to be Sept. 24-26.
John

 

[calvin]

Anybody who is coming to the route 66 show and has a passenger side Manta Panhead bar I need one. Please bring it and I will buy it.

thanks
calvin

 

[kevinfier]

Calvin,
I probably have one, but I will need a little better description.
Kevin

 

[tomking]

Everyone have fun at the Route 66 Mother Road Festival. I wish I could be there but dont have my Opel on the road yet. next year though.

 

[bear]

Kevin, I think Calvin needs or needed a passenger side trailing arm, not the Panhard rod. I believe Gary is fixing him up with one.

 

[calvin]

Kevin is bringing one with him to the show for me.

thanks

 

[opeljohn]

OK
Mother Road weekend is here and I am about to head over to the Baymont. Got an e-mail last night that Bill and Rebecca Moon are on their way up from TN. If anyone needs info I can be reached at 217-622-9828. It's supposed to be a nice weekend weather wise. I will try to get an update posted later but this should be a late night. TGIF
John

 

[Gary]

Great job on organizing it John!!

 

[opeljohn]

Just a quick Friday night update. It got fun on the Baymont parking lot around 5:00pm. By that time we had 12 Opels and a Bitter sitting out front. We all took off down I55 to have Dinner and hit the Staging area for the Cruise. Quite a few made a short cruise and headed back to the Baymont. At least four of us made it downtown. No Mantas yet but there should be four more folks here tomorrow. Three could be Mantas. Let ya know more tomorrow
John

 

[saxybiker]

Congratulations & Thank You John & Connie

What a great job of organizing and hosting this event.

We drove two of our GT's to join in the festivities at the Route 66 car show. It was a 1,000 mile round trip for them, but they performed flawlessly and it was worth every mile. (I will leave all the detail for John).

It was great to see old Opel friends and make new ones, and we are looking forward to being there again next year.

If you are in any way able to drive, drag or push your Opel you should get it to Route 66 next year. If that doesn't work, take a picture, bring the picture and join in the camaraderie

Vickie & Allen