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Chevy, Kid Rock in Confederate flag row with civil rights group

Two of Detroit's own are ensnared in controversy today. In an interview with Fox News' Megyn Kelly, mulleted musician Kid Rock told those protesting the Confederate Battle Flag to "kiss my ass." Now, Chevrolet, which is sponsoring Rock's summer concert tour, is under fire for its support. "We are committed to our sponsorship of Kid Rock's summer tour and are confident that he will provide his fans, many of whom are proud Chevrolet owners, with a spectacular concert experience that celebrates American Freedom," a Chevy spokesperson told The Detroit Free Press last week. The company also uses the Kid Rock anthem Born Free in its pickup truck advertising. The company's position is not sitting well with the Detroit chapter of the National Action Network, though, which has called on GM to pull its support for the embattled artist. "It's obvious to us that, by supporting [Rock], while he's making inflammatory statements, General Motors becomes an accomplice if they allow him their support to stand behind his statements," the Rev. Charles Williams II, NAN's Detroit chapter director, told the Freep. As controversial as Rock's comments are, it's not entirely clear when the last time he actually waved that flag was. The Freep reports that several concertgoers don't recall seeing the flag during his most recent tour, or even over the last few years of concerts. In a 2002 interview with the paper, Rock, real name Robert Ritchie, said that the flag had been used as a symbol of southern rock and a rebel spirit, saying: "It's not about hatred or being a racist. I like Southern rock music, and a lot of people died under that flag for beliefs they had, right or wrong. But it stands for rebel, and my love of Southern rock." Related Video:

UAW to vote on strike at Kentucky Corvette plant

The current wait time for a new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is well, not short. With word of a strike at the Bowling Green, KY factory responsible for seventh-generation sports car, though, that wait time could end up growing substantially.
Now, a strike is still a ways off. UAW Local 2164, which represents the 800 workers responsible for screwing the Corvette together, is set to vote on authorizing a strike today, but even if the employees give the action a go, it's far from a sure thing. According to The Tennessean, both regional and national union officials would need to put their stamp of approval on strike action.
"The membership has to vote to strike, but it's just a step in the process," said Gary Casteel, the UAW's Region 8 director and one of the people that would need to authorize a strike action. Casteel told The Tennessean, "It's purely a local situation, though. They are having some issues with the local management."

This 93-car Iowa auction is like a Big 3 classic muscle museum

Bill "Coyote" Johnson has been buying cars since high school and has amassed a collection totaling 113 vehicles, according to NBC 6 News. But time has changed his motivations and priorities, and he's decided to auction 93 of those cars, many of which are classic muscle from Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Plymouth and Pontiac. The megasale will take place Sept. 14, 2019, in Red Oak, Iowa, at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. A 1969 Plymouth Road Runner infected Coyote with a love for Detroit muscle when he was just a teenager, and his desire quickly turned into an obsession. He's spent the past 40 years finding, buying and working on a variety of makes and models. Unlike some collectors, Coyote didn't discriminate against certain brands and has rides from each of the Big 3 automakers. Included in the auction are Camaros, Satellites, Super Bees, Chargers, Challengers, Barracudas, Coronets, GTOs, Mustangs, Cutlasses and others. Possibly the most intriguing aspect of the auction is that all of these cars will be sold as-is with no reserve. Many of them will need work, depending on quality standards, but this seems like a golden opportunity to find a classic car without leaving a bank account in shambles.  The auctions are open for bidding online now, and the full auction will take place on September 14. Check out the full listings and bid at VanDerBrink Auctions.