Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Driving Tour no. 1
McLaren Engineering
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, McLaren operated as a specialty prototype and niche vehicle fabrication and engine development and testing service. The Livonia, Michigan headquarters was a center for turbocharged racing engines from 1000 hp Offenhausers to Cosworth V-8s, Buick V-6s for Indy/IMSA and compact 2-liter BMWs that produced up to 900 hp. In addition, McLaren built turbocharged V-8s in support of Cadillac’s LeMans effort. An instant legend was created when McLaren Engines designed and developed the awe-inspiring Buick GNX as the powertrain partner to ASC Inc. along with the McLaren Mustang and the Pontiac GTP Turbo to follow. Other projects included the Ford FR 500/200/100 concept vehicles and the modified Ford Focus featured in the original “Fast and the Furious” movie. In 1998, a management team purchased the assets of McLaren Engines and re-named it McLaren Engineering which was acquired by Linamar in 2003. Linamar Corporation is an advanced manufacturing company where the intersection of leading-edge technology and deep manufacturing expertise is creating solutions that power vehicles, motion, work, and lives for the future. The company is made up of two operating segments – the Industrial segment and the Mobility segment, both global leaders in manufacturing solutions and world-class developers of highly engineered products. McLaren Engineering provides design, development, and testing services for the Mobility segment.
Lunch at Leo’s Coney Island
We’ve planned a mid-day lunch stop that features a Mediterranean/Greek Menu that is a favorite among local classic car cruisers. You can order Saganaki (Flaming Cheese), Gyros, Spinach and Cheese Pie, Grilled Chicken Kebobs just to name a few of the many choices. The Cruisers’ all-time favorite has to be a Coney and Fries. A Coney is a grilled hot dog (usually beef) in a bun smothered with chili and onions with a squirt of yellow mustard. This is almost always accompanied by hot French Fries. If you are in Motown, this is the standard.
Roush Automotive Collection
Roush Performance is an American automotive company primarily involved in the engineering, development, and manufacturing of high-performance components for street and competitive racing applications. The company’s namesake is automotive mogul Jack Roush, who owns and operates the firm. Founded in 1995 by Roush, it provides automotive engineering from racing to street cars. Roush produces aftermarket performance parts for Ford cars and trucks, mainly the Ford Mustang, and the Ford F-150 light duty pickup. These special model vehicles are sold to the public through select Ford dealerships. In addition to the high-performance business, Roush supplies propane conversions kit for the F-150, as well as for school buses. Roush is listed as a vehicle “Manufacturer of Record,” in that the company modifies Ford F-150, and Ford Mustangs to the extent that they are considered “Roush” vehicles, and some carry Roush factory warranties (as opposed to Ford warranties). The Roush Automotive Collection, located in the Detroit Metropolitan area, is a 30,000 sq. ft. private facility. Housed within the collection are a wide variety of displays, multi-media exhibits, artifacts, memorabilia and over one hundred and ten vehicles dedicated to the preservation of the heritage of Roush Enterprises. The collection contains educational exhibits of products and processes from Roush as a supplier of technological services to the automotive industry, aviation industry and other manufactured goods businesses. Of particular interest to late model Avanti owners, Roush produces performance enhancing upgrades to the Ford modular V8, similar to the one that powers 2005 through 2007 Mustang GT-based Avanti vehicles.