MotorCities National Heritage Area logo
girl-american-car-cropped.jpg

by Brian Yopp, Deputy Director, MotorCities
Images Courtesy of MotorCities, Robert Tate Collection
Published 9.27.2023

EDITOR'S NOTE: In honor of a special exhibit on Robert Tate and his extraordinary collection of automotive artwork, publications, models and promotional materials opening this weekend at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, we are presenting an encore presentation of this Story of the Week from earlier this year featuring an interview conducted by our Deputy Director, Brian Yopp. 

Robert Tate photoRobert Tate

As Black History Month continues, we are sharing an interview I recently conducted with our own automotive historian and researcher, Robert Tate, who recounts his childhood love of cars, educational path and four decades of documenting auto history and collecting memorabilia.

A graduate of Detroit’s Henry Ford High School, Tate continued his education at the Center for Creative Studies (now the College for Creative Studies) in Detroit. Over his career, he has worked with Chrysler (and Daimler Chrysler) at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum and later for General Motors. He has also served as a consultant with the Detroit Public Library working with their National Automotive History Collection.

Robert Tate (left) with Brian YoppRobert Tate (left) with Brian Yopp

For the last dozen years, Tate has been the primary researcher and contributor of MotorCities’ Story of the Week articles, which remain the most popular and most-clicked content across the MotorCities.org website, our weekly e-newsletter “You Auto Know” and our social media platforms.

You can watch the interview here. The details of this Friday's exhibit opening event are below. You can RSVP for the FREE event here.

Robert Tate exhibit opening event September 2023