Looking for one last motorhead thing to do before the end of summer?

Why not browse the stock of a used car lot?

Southern Motors in Clarkston is no ordinary used car lot. You won't find a plaid-suited, slick-talking sales person in the place.

The 9,000-square-foot showroom typically holds 35-40 classic cars, muscle cars, and hot rods. Among the vehicles on display now is a totally trick blue-over-white 1956 Chevy Bel Air with a price tag of $29,900. There's also a clean 1972 Chevy Nova from Georgia with a 307 cubic inch V-8 and a four-barrel carburetor for $16,900.

The showroom's rotating stock includes Fords and Mopars, so there's always something that will get your motor running.

Vern Roberts, a retired Pontiac police officer, opened Southern Motors in 1978 out of his love for muscle cars. He started small with only three cars, and his first sale was a 1958 Corvette for about $3,200.

The business moved from its original digs on Oakland Avenue in Pontiac to 6650 Dixie Highway in 1983. It's ideally situated next door to the Dairy Queen. Now 62, Vern has turned day-to-day operations over to sales manager David Witt.

"People can come up anytime to just look at the cars," Witt said. "We're here Monday through Saturdays, and if you come up around 3 p.m., Vern is likely to be here. We'll even let you buy the ice cream."

If you're still on an octane-induced high from the Woodward Dream Cruise, consider yourself warned. You might leave Southern Motors with an extra set of keys.

The keys to the coolest car in Clarkston belong to Curt Catallo. He is the caretaker of the 1932 Ford Business Coupe that appeared on the cover of the Beach Boys' 1963 album, "Little Deuce Coupe."

Catallo's father bought the car when he was 15 and it was 24. The transformation from rust bucket to one of the most famous hot rods in the world took place over the next few years, earning national acclaim for Clarence "Chili" Catallo. The senior Catallo sold the car in 1965, but under the prodding of his son, repurchased the Coupe in 1999.

The father-son team then began the car's restoration, but Curt finished it alone because his father died from a heart attack at age 58. With assistance from some of the men who worked with Chili originally, the Coupe was readied in time for the 2000 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance. The car won The People's Choice Award.

Curt walked me around The Coupe just a few days ago. With the three Stromburg carburetors sitting atop a GMC 6-71 supercharger, the brilliant blue hot rod possesses undeniable street presence. Curt keyed the Oldsmobile engine to life. It barked out a V-8 symphony that made the hair on my arms snap to attention.

Catallo mulled the possibility of bringing it out as an unnamed entrant in the town's Labor Day parade.

Parade appearance or not, it's worth stopping by restaurateur Catallo's Clarkston Union or Union Woodshop on the chance you'll catch a glimpse of the Coupe.

If you're lucky, you'll see one of the world's most famous hot rods and a genuine piece of automotive history.