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1978 Dodge Magnum XE Vintage Magazine Ad

Jason Stum — February 26, 2015 — Leave a comment

When flipping though my vintage magazine collection looking for an interesting piece of automotive advertising to share with you, I stumbled across this gem of an ad for the 1978 Dodge Magnum XE.

It’s not the look of the ad that caught my attention, it’s the totally outrageous story that’s being told.

A well dressed man in a tuxedo approaches a beautiful woman at a roulette table (in what I can only assume is a swanky casino) and opens with “Ever been….car-napped my dear?”

Say what!? Seriously, Dodge?

If you were to play out this opening scene today, this guy would probably get maced, punched and promptly escorted off the casino’s premises with him asking himself aloud, “was it something I said?”.

But apparently in 1978, the appropriate way for this young lady to react is to say “Car-napped? How intriguing!” /facepalm

So now that I’ve set the scene, see how the story ends in this riveting piece of advertising, straight out of Mad Men, for the ’78 Dodge Magnum XE.

In Dodge, Vintage Ads

Highlights From 2015 Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own Awards

Jason Stum — February 25, 2015 — Leave a comment

A vehicle is usually the second most expensive item we’ll ever purchase in our lifetime. While getting The Family Deal on a new car is great, sometimes we tend to forget about the other costs associated with owning a new vehicle.

Things like financing, insurance, gas, state fees, regular maintenance and vehicle depreciation add to the overall cost of ownership of a vehicle.

And if you’re like me and not a fan of the math, the vast amount of numbers to crunch can become overwhelming.

That’s where Kelley Blue Book’s 5-Year Cost to Own Awards come in to play. KBB has done all the legwork and calculated the cost-to-own on all vehicle models for 2015.

Now that the hard work is done, you can take your time and browse the list of vehicles with the lowest 5-year cost of ownership listed below.

Two LaFontaine Dealerships Recognized as GM Green Dealers

Jason Stum — February 24, 2015 — Leave a comment

The LaFontaine Automotive Group is showing customers its environmental credentials thanks to a new “Green Dealer Recognition” program through General Motors.

According to the automaker, both LaFontaine Chevrolet and LaFontaine Cadillac Buick GMC have a proven track record in areas such as energy reduction, renewable energy use, water conservation efforts, recycling and community outreach.

Visit either dealership and you’ll find several environmental features on site, including:

In Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Company Awards, GMC Environment, General Motors, Gm, Green Dealerships, LaFontaine Cadillac Buick GMC, LaFontaine Chevrolet, Sustainability, The Green Store

Theron Hunter Wins Kiss The Car 2015

Jason Stum — February 23, 2015 — Leave a comment

Imagine spending 51 consecutive hours doing only one thing, with no sleep and only a ten minute respite every hour to break up the monotony.

Now imagine that one thing is having your lips kissing a car while both of your feet remained firmly planted on the ground.

That’s exactly what Theron Hunter did in an effort to win the 5th Annual Kiss The Car contest put on by LaFontaine Chevrolet and 102.9 W4 Country.

At 12:00pm on Saturday, February 21, 2015 thirty people began kissing one of two Chevrolet Cruze’s at LaFontaine Chevrolet in hopes of winning a two year pre-paid lease on one.

In Community News, Contests 102.9 W4 Country, Kiss The Car, LaFontaine Chevrolet

Harland Area Chamber of Commerce Awards 2015

Karla Griscom is the Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year

Jason Stum — February 23, 2015 — Leave a comment

On behalf of the entire LaFontaine Automotive Group, I’m pleased to announce that our own Karla Griscom has been named the 2015 Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year.

This isn’t the first time Karla has been recognized by the Hartland Chamber for being outstanding. In 2014, Karla was recognized as the Member of the Year. Now that honor will stand beside her award for being the Ambassador of the Year.

When I asked Karla how it felt to win this award she said,

Winning Ambassador of the Year at the Hartland Chamber is such an honor. It’s nice to be recognized for my time and efforts over the past year. I’m so fortunate to work for the LaFontaine Automotive Group who understands giving back to our community and helping others.

Karla truly embodies what the LaFontaine Family Deal is all about. It’s more than just a slogan. It’s about being useful to the communities that we live and work in. It’s about being a part of something so much bigger than ourselves.

Karla goes above and beyond to connect with local businesses and residents, and we couldn’t be more proud of her accomplishments.

In Community News Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce, Hartland Chamber, Karla Griscom

5 Reasons Why The Detroit Tigers Will (and won’t) Win the Central

Jeremy Sheldon — February 22, 2015 — Leave a comment

Pitchers and catchers have reported to camp and I am beyond ready for baseball to return (hopefully it brings the sun and warm temps with it!). As pumped up as I am for some baseball, I am coming into the 2015 season a little less confident than I did last year.

Now don’t accuse me of sitting on the fence, but there are a number of reasons why I am both excited for and worried about the Tigers all at the same time.

Before I get in to my reasons why I think the Tigers will, or won’t, win the Central, let’s take a look at the numerous roster changes that took place this off-season.

In Sports Baseball, Detroit Tigers

1974 Toyota Celica GT Vintage Magazine Ad

Jason Stum — February 12, 2015 — Leave a comment

Each and every week I flip through my vintage magazine collection and search for interesting bits of automotive advertising to share with you. This time around I landed on this vintage ad for the 1974 Toyota Celica GT.

At first glance you might mistake the Celica for a Mustang from that era – long hood, short deck, 2+2 seating, sporty look and even the use of animal themed badge (a swan).

When you take a look at the ad copy you’ll see that Toyota’s position in the market isn’t all that different today than it was 40+ years ago.

Toyota has always been about maximizing your dollar so you get the most value possible.

So what do you get in a ’74 Celica GT with an MSRP of $3,569? Check out the ad below to find out!

In Toyota, Vintage Ads 1974 Toyota Celica, Advertising, Celica, LaFontaine Toyota, Toyota, Vintage Ads

Taco Tuesday: 2016 Toyota Tacoma is a Tasty Truck Treat

Jason Stum — February 10, 2015 — Leave a comment

Some things in life are worth waiting for, and to me, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma is one of them. With the chance to see it unveiled live at the Detroit Auto Show, I was defiantly impressed.

Like a warm soft-taco shell, the Tacoma’s sleek new sheet metal lends the truck a stylish profile that’s loaded with accouterments.

Take one quick look and you’ll agree that this Taco(ma) certainly does look delicious (five bucks says you’re going to eat tacos next chance you get!).

Taco puns aside, it’s been almost 11 years since the Tacoma got a redesign, and the timing of it couldn’t have been better.

The worlds best selling mid-size pickup truck for the past 10 years is about to face some stiff competition from the recently introduced Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon.

Anticipating an all-out battle royal for their long reigning title of “worlds best”, Toyota stepped up their game to make sure the 2016 Tacoma was ready to take on all challengers.

In Cars, Reviews, Toyota 2016 Toyota Tacoma, Detroit Auto Show, NAIAS, North American International Auto Show, Tacoma, Toyota

Why Michigan’s 38th Ranked Recruiting Class Means Nothing

Jeremy Sheldon — February 6, 2015 — Leave a comment

College Football’s National Signing Day has passed and Michigan’s recruiting class is not the typical top 10 class Michigan fans are used to.

This year Michigan closed signing day with a flurry but only ended up with the 38^th ranked recruiting class finishing with 14 total recruits.

None of them of the five-star variety.

But if there is one thing that I have learned over the years it’s that recruiting classes and player star-rankings are often overrated.

In Sports College Football, Jim Harbaugh, Michigan, Recruiting, University of Michigan

How to Take Charge of Your Lifestyle Goals in 2015

Kristen Kavanagh — February 6, 2015 — Leave a comment

Generally, the last week of January is when the gym starts to thin out and resolutions begin to waver. Is that where you are? Don’t worry, its only been a month and all is not lost.

Now is not the time to give up on your goals for 2015. I’m in the same boat, and what helps me out is taking a little time to reflect on what’s working for me and whats not.

Once you honestly asses your situation, then can make adjustments to your routines and habits to increase your chances of meeting your goals.

For me, I started by reviewing my resolutions that I made heading in to the new year:

Consistently eat healthy and go to the gym regularly
Putting down the cell phone and pick up a book
Enjoying the outdoors more
Budgeting and sticking to it

By reflecting on the progression of my own personal goals, I am able to see the progress I have made (or lack their of) and make necessary changes.

Read on to discover what I’m doing to tweak my goals and maybe you’ll be inspired to do the same!

In Lifestyle Budgeting, Fitness, Goals, Health, Lifestyle Goals, New Year's Resolution

1978 Dodge Magnum XE Vintage Magazine Ad

Highlights From 2015 Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own Awards

Two LaFontaine Dealerships Recognized as GM Green Dealers

Theron Hunter Wins Kiss The Car 2015

Karla Griscom is the Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year

5 Reasons Why The Detroit Tigers Will (and won’t) Win the Central

1974 Toyota Celica GT Vintage Magazine Ad

Taco Tuesday: 2016 Toyota Tacoma is a Tasty Truck Treat

Why Michigan’s 38th Ranked Recruiting Class Means Nothing

How to Take Charge of Your Lifestyle Goals in 2015

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