LX and Beyond Nationals

CAR SHOW | RACING | ENTERTAINMENT

September 1, 2011

Never Lookin’ Back with Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Posted on September 1, 2011 by RLD

KWS 002 550x365 Never Lookin’ Back with Kenny Wayne Shepherd Rock n Roll music Kenny Wayne Shepherd fender  lifestyle photo

 

Grammy winning artist Kenny Wayne Shepherd is just as comfortable working the frets on his Fender guitar as he is wrenching on his Dodge and Plymouth musclecars. This young guitar virtuoso who hails from Louisiana is also a songwriter and producer whose appreciation blues runs deep. His distinct high-energy blues infused rock n’ roll sound is reminiscent of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan with the soul of B.B. King and Eric Clapton mixed in for good measure. His latest video – Never Lookin’ Back is the band’s latest hit and just happens to feature some of Kenny’s cool rides. Check it out!

August 30, 2011

Woodward Dream Cruise 2011: Detroit Loves Cars

Woodward Dream Cruise is the largest 1-day automotive event in the world, boasting around 1.5 million spectators and over 40,000 cars from around the globe. This was our first time visiting the “Mecca of All Car Cruises” in Royal Oak, Michigan just outside of Detroit. Spectators lined the streets of the over 12-mile route on Woodward Avenue, sometimes 3-5 people deep with lawn chairs and tents. There were cars and car clubs along the streets; and displays by Chrysler, Ford and GM and even some aftermarket companies. It’s a sensory overload that would make even the most well-composed auto enthusiast just sit back in amazement and say…wow.

 This is definitely one of those times that pictures and video do not do the event justice. There is so much going on and so much to do that you can not capture it all. You must experience it for yourself, but until you do here is some pictures and video that we captured. Enjoy!

Pictures: http://www.flickr.com//photos/lxandbeyondnats/sets/72157627480267422/show/

Filed under: LX and Beyond News,LX Community News — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 9:45 AM

June 19, 2011

Petty’s Garage Now Offering Richard Petty Signature Series Superbird

Always wanted a Plymouth Superbird, but could not afford the over $100,000 pricetag to get a vintage piece of Mopar history? Now you have another option thanks to Richard Petty and the folks over at Petty’s Garage. Better hurry though, its limited to 25.

November 8, 2010

America’s Next New Retro Muscle Car: Barracuda?

1970 Plymouth Barracuda 
Do we really need a new one? 

Ralph Gilles, the young CEO of Dodge, has been impressive in his handling of the brand, but may be on the verge of his first questionable decision.

Gilles was responsible for Chrysler’s “baby Bentley,” the well-received 300, while working as a designer and now is receiving credit for re-energizing Dodge with cars like the redesigned 2011 Charger. This is a guy who personally drives a custom Dodge Viper ACR that pumps out 600 horsepower on the track. There’s no denying he’s a smart businessman and a genuine car enthusiast. 

So why on earth would he consider bringing back the Barracuda? 


2010 Dodge Challenger According to USA Today, Gilles indicated to a Mopar-obsessed crowd at the 2010 SEMA Show that a resurrection of the classic ‘Cuda is indeed a possibility.

Remember, of course, that Dodge has already released version 2.0 of the Challenger, which was the Barracuda’s cousin in the ’70s, so the car’s platform is theoretically already there. I just don’t see how (or why) Dodge could differentiate the two models if they shared a platform and featured similar styling. If it could somehow chip around 700 pounds off the car, give it a new look, and position it more as a competitor to the Mustang GT, it might make sense. That would mean starting fresh, though, which Chrysler is hardly in a position to do.

There’s also the issue that any resurrected ‘Cuda couldn’t come back as a Plymouth, and might even become a Chrysler. That might throw purists into a tizzy, but then again, those purists seem to have had no trouble accepting a four-door Charger, so you never know.

Gilles has worked hard to position Dodge as the most youthful, fun, and performance-oriented of Chrysler’s brands, so why would he be interested in developing a retro muscle car that either wears the Chrysler logo or is just a rebadged Challenger? It doesn’t make any sense.

I suppose Chrysler could use a sports car to help fill out its lineup, but another 4,000-pound road hog based on nostalgia isn’t going to cut the mustard.

Should Chrysler bring back the Barracuda?

-tgriffith

July 24, 2010

Inaugural Walter P. Chrysler Legacy Gala Honors Iacocca, Leno, Petty and Exner

Inaugural Walter P. Chrysler Legacy Gala Honors

Lee Iacocca, Jay Leno, Richard Petty, and Virgil Exner

Museum Foundation Announces $1 Million in Contributions to Jump

Start New Multi-Million Dollar Fundraising Campaign

Auburn Hills, Mich. , Jul 24, 2010 -

A sold-out crowd of more than 570 guests attended the inaugural Walter P.

Chrysler Legacy Gala benefiting the nonprofit Walter P. Chrysler Museum in

Auburn Hills, Mich.

The event celebrated 85 years of Chrysler heritage and honored four

automotive and entertainment icons with the Walter P. Chrysler Legacy

Award: Former Chrysler Chairman and CEO Lee Iacocca; “Tonight Show”

Host and Car Collector Jay Leno; NASCAR Champion Richard Petty; and

former Chrysler Design Chief Virgil Exner, who was honored posthumously

and represented by his son Virgil Exner, Jr.

The Legacy Gala was also the official launch of the Walter P. Chrysler Legacy

Campaign with Museum Foundation Board of Directors Chairman Frank

Fountain announcing that $1 million in contributions have been raised to date.

The campaign is a multi-year, multi-million initiative designed to ensure the

Museum’s long-term viability.

“The Legacy Gala was a coming out party, of sorts, to tell the world we’re now

a nonprofit, dedicated as ever to showcasing Chrysler’s rich heritage for

decades to come,” said Fountain. “What better way than with a joyous

celebration of decades of creativity and ingenuity that began with the

inspiration and passion of one very enterprising man?

This was a grand occasion to salute the achievements of four outstanding

gentlemen and welcome a oncein-

a-lifetime gathering of current and retired Chrysler executives, auto

enthusiasts and industry leaders, as well as our colleagues throughout the

community to our magnificent Museum.”

The evening began with a Michigan-inspired strolling dinner throughout the

Museum’s three floors featuring a menu created by renowned caterers,

2Unique of Royal Oak, Mich. The fresh fare capitalized on seasonal

ingredients grown and produced within the state.

The festivities moved to the Legacy Gala Theatre – a tent adjacent to the

Museum – for the inaugural Walter P. Chrysler Legacy Circle induction

ceremony, hosted by news anchor Devin Scillian of WDIV-TV4. Following

Fountain’s welcome and announcement of the Museum Foundation’s Legacy

Campaign launch, each inductee was honored with a video spotlighting his

personal and professional achievements, and introduced into the Legacy

Circle by gentlemen who are VIPs in their own right:

Inducting Iacocca was Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer,

Chrysler Group LLC;

Inducting Leno was Fred Diaz, President and Chief Executive Officer,

Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC;

Petty was inducted by Frank Ewasyshyn, Board of Directors, Walter P.

Chrysler Museum Foundation and Retired Executive Vice President -

Manufacturing, Chrysler Group LLC; and

Inducting Exner was Ralph Gilles, President and Chief Executive

Officer, Dodge Car Brand and Senior Vice President of Product Design,

Chrysler Group LLC and Board of Directors, Walter P. Chrysler Museum

Foundation.

Rounding out the event were silent and live auctions of extraordinary items,

including A Day With Richard Petty and A Private Tour of Jay Leno’s Big Dog

Garage and Tickets to “The Tonight Show.”

The piece de resistance was a full length performance donated by Jay Leno

for the occasion.

For additional information about the Museum, please visit

www.wpchryslermuseum.org.

-###-

Additional information and news from Chrysler Group LLC is available at:

http://www.media.chrysler.com

 

June 1, 2010

Sponsor Announcement: Mancini Racing

The 2010 LX & BEYOND NATIONALS would like to welcome a NEW SPONSOR……MANCINI RACING, which was the very first Chrysler Direct Connection/Mopar Performance Parts Distributor and has continued to successfully provide parts to a global customer base of loyal MOPAR consumers in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Establsihed in 1972, MANCINI RACING has a rich and proud heritage of providing MOPAR enthusiasts the right products at the right price with first-class technical expertise and customer service. Without a doubt a legend in the industry and the MOPAR community, we are proud to have them onboard this year!!!

Their comprehensive portfolio of high-performance parts and accessories includes everything from vintage Mopar muscle cars to the current production 5.7L and 6.1L HEMI-Powered Challenger, Charger, Magnum, Ram and 300C. MANCINI RACING willl be providing some cool prizes and surprises from their catalog for the 2010 LX & BEYOND NATIONALS and also have their booth setup at the event. Bring your cash/credit cards and be ready to pick-up some new MOPAR swag, parts and accessories.

April 14, 2010

Sponsor Announcement – Chrysler Classic Events

The 2010 LX & BEYOND NATIONALS would like to welcome another NEW SPONSOR……CHRYSLER CLASSIC EVENTS, which has been hosting drag racing and car show events in the Midwest Region for 18 years for MOPAR enthusiasts. They will be providing some prizes for racing participants of the 2010 LX & BEYOND NATIONALS. Stay tuned for more exciting details!

Sponsor Announcement – Heide Performance Products

On behalf of the 2010 LX & BEYOND NATIONALS we would like to welcome another NEW SPONSOR……HEIDE PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, from Madison Heights, Michigan and the manufacturer of the Daytona Concept Package for the 2008-2011 Dodge Challenger which has been featured in many Musclecar and Mopar magazine over the past few months.

HEIDE PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS will be bringing the Daytona Challenger and another retro-inspired creation so the 2010 LX & BEYOND NATIONALS is an event that you don’t want to miss!!!