One-Tank Trip for April 4/20
By Jim Fox
Detroit has been hard hit by the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic, resulting in the cancellation of the North American
International Auto Show.
Organizers of two
other headline auto events still hope to have them go ahead this summer.
It’s a huge blow as
the auto show attracts 800,000 people over its 10-day run and this was to have
been the first show in June after its history of January dates.
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| It was a glamorous evening at the Detroit auto show Charity Preview. (Jim Fox) |
It’s also
devastating to Greater Detroit as the party of the year – the $400 U.S. black
tie Charity Preview – that raised millions of dollars over the years for
children’s charities.
But it’s all for
the greater good as the TCF Center (previously known as Cobo Center) will
become a temporary field hospital as directed by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
“The level of excitement
for the 2020 show was extraordinary and we deeply appreciate all of the support
from our OEM partners and our more than 200 valued sponsors, as well as the
city of Detroit and the state of Michigan,” chairman Doug North said.
There are also
plans to hold some sort of event later this year to benefit the charities, he
added. To virtually see what would have been, go to: naias.com
Classy wheels
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| This couple shows their classy chassis at the Concours d’Elegance. (Barbara Fox) |
Should the world
return to some sort of normalcy by mid-summer, organizers are hoping to pull
off the 42nd annual Concours d’Elegance of America.
Taking place on
July 26 at the Inn at St. John’s in suburban Plymouth, Mich., this is one of
America’s most prestigious car events.
This year’s field has
some 300 “significant classic and historically relevant vehicles.”
 |
| A lineup of Woodie wagons at the Concours. (Jim Fox photo) |
These range from
the Gas Light times to modern collectables and super cars from every era over
more than 100 years. concoursusa.org
Zoom,
zoom
Bringing back the era of cruising,
drive-ins, hamburger stands and classy wheels is the Woodward Dream Cruise.
Cruising
along Woodward Avenue from Ferndale to Pontiac, Mich. outside Detroit,
it’s called the “world’s largest one-day automotive event”
attracting up to 1.5-million people.
 |
| Auto aficionado Geoff Burton and writer Jim Fox check out the hot wheels at the Dream Cruise. (Barbara Fox) |
They come
in jazzy classic and custom cars, street rods, collector and specialty
vehicles numbering about 40,000 vehicles for what is called an annual rite of
summer. woodwarddreamcruise.com
Virtual travel
If travels now are
“in your dreams,” tourism agencies are longing to promote day trips through virtual experiences.
Visit Detroit features the area’s
attractions at: visitdetroit.com/virtual-experiences-detroit-attractions
There is also coronavirus
information and resources for travellers: visitdetroit.com/coronavirus-info
As well, Pure
Michigan, the official travel and tourism website for the state, says: “Now is not the time to travel but the
perfect time to plan your summer vacation.”
It offers “plenty
of virtual travel opportunities for the whole family to enjoy in the meantime” at:
michigan.org/article/trip-idea/travel-michigan-virtually-while-planning-your-vacation
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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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