To kids, summer ends when school starts, to others, Labor Day Weekend sounds the toll, but for car lovers, summer isn’t really over until all of those delicate beauties who only make appearances on warm, sunny days, return to storage, garages, and under covers. Fortunately, that typically means making it all the way through summer (September 22 this year), and sometimes even beyond. To that end, there are still some really unique car shows and events to experience before winter rears its snowy head.
Old Car Festival at Greenfield Village – September 7-8
Greefield Village in Dearborn is always a fun place to visit if you like historic cars, but especially during this festival. Known as America’s longest running antique car show, the Old Car Festival features hundreds of antique vehicles from the period of 1890-1932. Generations of car owners share their passion with fans during this beloved tradition, showcasing an astounding array of restored vehicles that will truly transport you back in time. This year the event is celebrating a century of factory-built Ford pick-up trucks. Hang out until 9pm on Saturday night for a special treat the whole family will enjoy–a Gaslight Parade of Cars, with kerosene and early electric lamps, capped with a Dixieland-style parade and then topped with fireworks.
Orphan Car Show at Ypsilanti’s Riverside Park – September 15
The New York Times reportedly once called this event the Best Car Show in the USA. What makes it so special is that only orphaned vehicles are featured. An orphan vehicle is a vehicle for which the nameplate has been abandoned or the manufacturer has ceased to exist. Hudson, Packard, Kaiser-Fraser, Corvair, Nash Studebaker are just a few. Foreign vehicles included Triumph, Bristol, Austin-Healy. This year the featured vehicle will be the ‘Orphans of the Chrysler, which include Plymouth, AMX, Javelin, and Pacer.
Wednesday Night Cruise-Ins at Gilmore Car Museum – September 11, 18, 25
Wednesday Night Cruise-Ins at the Gilmore Car Museum are an annual summer tradition. There is no cost to bring your collector car on the grounds during the cruise-in and the event is open to the public. On good weather nights, the fun starts at 5pm and runs until 8pm, with George & Sally’s authentic 1941 Blue Moon Diner serving hot dogs, hamburgers, and creamy old-fashioned custard throughout the evening.
With oldies music providing the soundtrack, these are evenings you and your family won’t soon forget. Bring your ride, snap a photo in front of the 1930s Shell station, cruise the grounds, and enjoy an evening of great wheels and memories.
North Gratiot Cruise in Chesterfield – September 28
The North Gratiot Cruise is a one-day celebration of automobile history that attracts muscle cars, street rods, customs, collector cars, special interest vehicles, and of course, the people who love them. Expect to find your dream car, live music, great food, parties and family fun. This is one of Metro Detroit’s last cruises of the year.
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.