Canton brothers rev up for Autorama
They both claim to have the best car, these Canton brothers.
Mark Grima, 20, has a neon blue 1969 Dodge Charger.
"I definitely baby it," he said.
Tom Grima, 22, has a darker blue 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28.
"It's got a mean look to it," he said. "It's got a little bit of muscle for its era."
Nothing wrong with a little sibling rivalry.
"We jab at each other over which car is better," Mark Grima said.
Truth is, they both have classy rides – classy enough that they made the cut for this year's 63rd annual Meguiar's Detroit Autorama, which revs up March 6-8 inside Cobo Center. It features 1,000 world-class hot rods and custom cars and five fiery autos from the Fast and Furious movie series, among numerous other attractions.
Tom Grima marks his third time showing his sporty Camaro at the largest and oldest car show of its kind in North America.
"A lot of people liked the car and wanted me back," he said.
Mark Grima's car has been a bit more temperamental, twice keeping him out of the show because of a blown engine and transmission problems. His third try should prove the charm as he joins his older brother for the turbo-charged Autorama.
"This year, we really wanted to make sure we were in it together," he said.
The Grima brothers have both won car show awards from a Maltese American Community Club contest in Dearborn and they both attend events such as the Woodward Dream Cruise.
They grew up around cars because their father, Michael Grima, is a mechanic.
"I've been surrounded by the muscle cars since I was a kid," said Mark Grima, who owns a small landscaping service, MAG Lawn Services. "For some reason, the '69 Charger stuck out as my favorite."
He got the car for $18,000 in Maryland in April 2011, after he saw it online. His father had a business trip to the area and stopped to check out the car, which passed the test.
Tom Grima, a mechanic for Canton-based Bill Brown Auto Clinic, found his Camaro closer to home, for $6,000 in Ortonville. He has had it six years.
"It's not one you see every day," he said.
He has has been working on cars since he was about 9 years old, so he knows how to care for his Camaro.
"It gets driven in the summer," Tom Grima said. "It's not a garage queen or trailer queen."
Other than car shows and cruises, the brothers drive to places like a family cottage in Howell. Tom Grima said any rivalry he has with his brother is friendly.
"He's got one hell of a car that would bring more money than mine," Tom Grima said. "When it comes down to it, my car is a little quicker than his. But we both know we've got some pretty sweet cars."
Autorama happens noon to 10 p.m. Friday, March 6, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 7, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 8.
Peter Toundas, show manager and president of Championship Auto Shows, Inc., said attractions such as the Fast and Furious cars "are perfect symbols of the young excitement and appeal that is alive and well in hot rod culture today."
Autorama kicks off at 11:45 a.m. March 6 outside Cobo Center with what is billed as a "live flame burn-out demonstration" of a fuel-altered dragster named Pure Hell. Autorama, which draws worldwide visitors, also includes a presentation of the Ridler Award, described as the most coveted hot-rod award. It goes to the most outstanding new custom car shown for the first time anywhere.
Toundas called the Motor City the logical place for Autorama, saying organizers "make every effort to let everyone know about this important heritage."
Admission at the door is $19 for adults, $6 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Discount tickets are available at O'Reilly Auto Parts.
For more information, call 248-373-1700 or go to www.autorama.com.
dclem@hometownlife.com
Twitter: @CantonObserver
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