Chevrolet calls it, simply, yellow’but John Meyland thinks his own colorful description fits better.
He dubs the paint on his 2003 Chevy S-10 pickup, instead, ravishing yellow.
‘You get a lot of looks from the car guys checking it out,? said Meyland. ‘A lot of people remark that it’s unusual.?
So when Meyland heard General Motors was looking for classic and iconic cars to drive in the GM Century Cruise during Saturday’s annual Dream Cruise, he thought he’d submit a photo of the truck just for the heck of it.
It wasn’t long before a reply arrived.
‘Dear participant,? it read. ‘Your vehicle stood out among the many entries sent in by GM car enthusiasts. We are excited about your participation.?
It wasn’t the response he was expecting.
‘I was surprised,? said Meyland, who retired from GM after nearly 40 years as a production supervisor. ‘You usually think of cars from the 50s or 60s for an event like that, but I guess they were looking for vehicles to represent different eras.?
Indeed; according to GM officials, more than 100 GM classic and iconic vehicles will take part in the GM Century Cruise as it travels in parade formation up Woodward Avenue during Saturday’s event.
The challenge, he said, will be getting up early enough to make the drive to downtown Detroit and arrive at the Renaissance Center by 6:30 a.m.
Still, they’re looking forward to the event.
Lead by an E85 ethanol powered Corvette Z06, cars and trucks from every era of GM’s history will begin at GM Global Headquarters at the Renaissance Center and cruise north.
Among 106 participating vehicles travelling in chronological production order, Meyland and his wife, Freda will take parade position 100.
Once they arrive at the destination, the vehicle owners who choose to stay will display their cars and trucks at three locations: the Chevy Triangle and South Triangle in Birmingham, and Athens Coney Island in Royal Oak.
The Meylands bought the truck from their son, Kurt, in 2006’Kurt origninally took delivery of the truck from John Bowman Chevrolet in Independence Township.
It was a sunny, snowy day in the winter, Meyland said.
‘As we pulled into the lot, it was sitting right there and boy, you just couldn’t miss it. That bright yellow isn’t something you usually see on a dealer’s lot.?
When Kurt decided to sell the truck, he told his dad he’d like to keep it in the family, if possible.
‘It’s definitely not a tire-burner,? Meyland said, noting the pickup has a 5-speed manual transmission and a 4-cylinder 120 horse-power engine. ‘But it is a good ride. It’s comfortable, quiet and kind of fun to drive.?
He and Freda climb into the S-10 when they need to transport a large object, or just for fun’they both like the way the small cab heats up fast in cold weather and cools off quickly in hot weather.
They also have a 1994 Mazda MiataMXS, which they bought from their other son, Scott, who lives in Clarkston, and recently traded in their Saturn Vue’the everyday car’for a Saturn Aura’the new everyday car.
Interested? Fans can vote for their favorite GM Century Cruise Parade Vehicle at Dreamcruise.gmnext.com.
Text GM and the corresponding number assigned to each car to 466398.
e.g. Text GM1 to 466398. (standard message fees apply)
Vote as often as you’d like; voting ends’August-16 at?6:00pm EDT