(c) Postmedia Network/Sun Media Newspapers/Websites
One-Tank Trip for
July 22/17
(AUTOS)
(c) By Jim Fox
Pull over
Corvettes, classic 1955-1957 Chevys, Mustangs and others to make way for the stars
of the show in Ypsilanti, Mich.
Long-overlooked DeSotos,
Franklins, Hudsons, Parkards, Plymouths, Studebakers and Willys get some
respect at the “Orphan Car Show” on Sept. 17.
“Orphan brands do
not die – they live on with this annual reunion of vehicles,” organizers say in
this community 30 minutes west of Detroit, the “Motor City.”
 |
| An antique vehicle is seen reflected in a hubcap at the Concours d’Elegance in Plymouth, Mich. (Barbara Fox photo) |
In what has been
called one of the best car shows in America, this gathering at Riverside Park will
feature the “orphans” of Ford- Mercury, Edsel and the Continental Mark II.
As an auto aficionado,
I enjoy attending the big shows in Detroit and environs but was unaware until
now of the “orphan” show.
These really big
events include the annual North American International Auto Show in January,
Concours d’Elegance this month, Woodward Dream Cruise in August and the Old Car
Festival in September.
Honouring the
orphans is intriguing as I must admit our family had a bullet-nose Studebaker
Champion that I drove as a kid (before the ’56 Chevy convertible).
Show founders Randy
Mason and Jack Miller said they talked about “how Hudsons, Studebakers, Willys
and many other orphans were always over-shadowed at car shows.”
Those makes and
models are “parked in the back rows behind Mustangs, Corvettes, classic tri-5
Chevys and others.”
 |
| A 1950 Studebaker Champion
has a coveted spot along with a ’56 Chevy at The Henry Ford museum in Dearborn.
(Barbara Fox photo)
|
The first show was
held in 1997 in Ypsilanti that has “a rich history of orphan-made development
and production,” Mason said, making it a natural location.
The Ypsilanti
Automotive Heritage Museum also hosts the National Hudson Motor Car Company
Museum with its story told in a preserved 1930’s dealership.
The city also has connections
to the Chevrolet Corvair, Tucker, Hudson, Kaiser-Frazer and General Motors’ hydramatic
transmission.
Displays
include Motor State that held patents on power convertible tops, Ford’s
generator plant and local car dealerships.
The park is at 6
West Cross St., Ypsilanti, with admission $6 for adults and free for children to
age 12. Details: ypsiautoheritage.org; (734) 482-5200
Also coming to the park is the Fire Truck
Muster, presented by the city’s Michigan Fire House Museum, on Aug. 19. michiganfirehousemuseum.org;
(734) 547-0663
Get your motor running
The events are part
of Autopalooza, called “a celebration of Southeast Michigan’s automotive
heritage through a series of major cruises, races and shows during the summer
months.”
The Motor
City doesn't just make cars, it also celebrates them and the events attract “upwards
of one-million people,” said Michael O'Callaghan of the Detroit Metro
Convention & Visitors Bureau.
It includes Concours
d’Elegance of America at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, Mich. on July 30, showcasing
only the best – 300 invited world-class vehicles.
 |
| This couple shows off their classy chassis at the Concours d’Elegance of America. (Jim Fox photo) |
The organization is
“dedicated to the preservation and historical relevance of prestigious
automobiles.”
Vehicles on display
will include a 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C2300; 1938 Bentley coupe; 1931 Duesenberg Model SJ; 2011
Porsche 911; 2011 Ferrari Italia 458; 1989 Dodge Viper Concept; and a 2018
Dodge Demon.
Cruising Woodward
More than one-million people will gather
along Woodward Avenue on Aug. 19 for the Dream Cruise.
Nine
communities from Ferndale to Pontiac participate in what is called the “world’s
largest one-day celebration of classic car culture.”
There will be more
than 40,000 “muscle cars, street rods, custom, collector and special-interest
vehicles” cruising the avenue from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. along a three-kilometre
route.
 |
| Riding through the streets of Greenfield Village in an old Ford. (Jim Fox photo) |
The Old
Car Festival takes a trip back in time on Sept. 9 and 10 at Greenfield Village
at The Henry Ford museum in Dearborn.
It
features hundreds of authentic vehicles from the 1890s through 1932 filling the
streets of the picturesque village.
For links
to the Autopalooza events: autopalooza.org
To plan a Detroit getaway: visitdetroit.com;
1-800-DETROIT (338-7648)
-30-
Jim Fox can be
reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
No comments:
Post a Comment