In the early 1970's, there was about a dozen guys from the Grand Rapids area who were definitely into cars.  They talked cars and they had cars.  They talked about other car clubs, like the Diablo's and the Pharough's, and they decided they would form a club of their own.  Thus "Range Rods and Street Machines" was born.  It was strictly a 'guys' club for several years, but as interest grew the wives and kids started attending the meetings.  The club focused on getting together for a good time and they had a car show each year.
 
In 1984 there were about twelve couples in the club and they decided that they needed a name change; Range Rods and Street Machines was a bit of a mouthful.  After putting together a list of possibilities the members decided to change the club name to Northern Cruisers Car Club.  They meet once a month and what started as a guys group had now become a family activity.  It was also the first year for our car show.  That first show was held at the Holiday Inn parking lot.  That was also the year "Weekend of Wheels" was born.
 
In 2024 the club will host our 39th Annual Northern Cruisers Weekend of Wheels Car Show.  Our membership has grown from the original dozen   and now includes many of the "old-timers," as well  as a new generation of Cruisers and everyone is having a blast. We now total close to one hundred members.  Some of the original members are still in the club and a lot has happened in the last forty years.  In addition to our annual car show the club has hosted the Minnesota Street Rod Association's Fall Campout in 1998-99, 2010-11, and 2018-19.  Our 2019 event saw close to 500 MSRA members attending.  The club also hosts a show-n-shine during First Friday in the summer.  Each year members also attend several area car shows and go on many cruises. We are always looking for new members to join our club.

The club gives back to the community in many ways each year.  All gate donations from our annual car show are given back to the community.  In addition to this the club donates to many other area groups such as Special Olympics, Secret Santa, Elder Circle, Second Harvest Food Bank, Honor Flight, MS 150 Bike Ride, and many others.  The club also maintains a section of HWY. 169 with the Adopt A Highway program.
 
We meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM at Bishop's Performance in Grand Rapids. You don't have to own a show car to belong to our club... You just have to love cars! Come check us out!