A Rainy Start, But Spirits High
The morning of Sunday, April 30th, 2023, started early—7:30 AM sharp at Coffee Rescue in Portage, MI. Jamie, the owner, opened her doors two hours early just for us, and the smell of fresh-brewed coffee mixed with the excitement of the day ahead. The weather may not have been ideal, but that didn’t stop a dedicated group of classic car enthusiasts from rolling in, eager for the adventure.
Backroads and Hidden Treasures
Fueled up (on caffeine, at least), the group hit the road for our first stop—a private collection in Galesburg, MI. The route was filled with winding back roads, the kind of roads that make you appreciate a well-sorted classic. Upon arrival, they were greeted with an eclectic mix of Euro, American, and British machines, all tucked away in an enthusiast’s dream garage.
With time to "talk shop," everyone swapped stories about their own builds, restorations, and future projects. There’s something about standing in a garage filled with history and sharing that passion with like-minded folks that just hits differently.
Behind the Scenes at Gilmore
From Galesburg, the convoy made its way to Gilmore Car Museum—but not for the usual museum experience. This time, the group was granted an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the restoration and storage areas. Walking through rows of cars in various stages of restoration, they got a glimpse of the meticulous work that goes into preserving automotive history.
Seeing rare cars up close and learning about the processes behind their preservation made this stop a real highlight of the day. We even got a few sneak peeks at projects not yet on display!
The Open Road to Holland
With engines warmed up and excitement still high, the group embarked on the next leg—the road trip to Holland, MI. The exact route? Well, let’s just say it was a "choose-your-own-adventure" kind of drive, but the goal was simple: enjoy the road, enjoy the cars, and enjoy the company.
(Insert rolling shot of cars on the road)
The final stop took the group to Eclectic Motorworks, where Carl opened up his workspace to show off some truly special projects. From customers cars to rare finds, the shop was filled with stories waiting to be told. It was the perfect way to cap off an already incredible day.
A Massive Thank You
As the event came to a close, it was clear that the weather hadn't dampened the turnout or the enthusiasm. Watching a long line of classics cruising together was a sight worth the drive.
A huge thank you to everyone who came out, to our hosts who graciously opened their doors, and to Coffee Rescue for fueling the start of our adventure. You all rule so much.
More plans are in the works for this summer, so stay tuned. Until then, let’s see those photos and videos—drop them in the group; I’d love to see everyone’s perspectives!
Cheers to another successful MARS Rolling Shop Tour!
__________________________________________________________
Comment Below if you think we should do another MARS Shop Tour, and where should we go?
