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Events

MotorCities Events 1170

Tell us when you plan to visit the MotorCites National Heritage Area and we will find some possible events for you. We hope to see you soon!

 

Additional Info

  • Event Title Automotive Showplace: 1952 Packard "Macauley" Pan American
  • Event Date(s) This Fall
  • Event Location Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit
  • Event Description After World War II, designer Richard Arbib of the The Henney Motor Company - Packard’s coachbuilder - was tasked with refreshing Packard’s styling. Arbib’s design called for a 1952 Packard convertible to be cut in half horizontally in order to remove a four-inch strip of body to reduce its height in a process known as sectioning. To lengthen the car, Henney drastically extended the rear quarter panels while the windshield was cut and lowered for a sportier look. This vehicle is the first of six Pan Americans that were built for the show circuit - four of which remain - and belonged to Edward Macauley, head of Packard design in the 1950s. Macauley periodically altered the car to meet his taste and current styling. Some of Macauly’s personal updates include the dashboard and “egg crate” grille insert from a 1954 Packard as well as quarter panels and taillights from a 1955 model.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Driven to Win: Racing in America
  • Event Date(s) Now Open
  • Event Location Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
  • Event Description Presented by General Motors, the first comprehensive exhibition covering various forms of American auto racing, including stock car, sports car, drag racing, Indy car, hill climb and land-speed racing, is now open in Dearborn. The 24,000 square-foot exhibit provides visitors an in-depth look at the people, the experiences, the culture, the spectacle, the risks and the innovations centered in the world of American auto sports.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Achievement: African Americans' Accomplishments & Contributions in Automotive Exhibit
  • Event Date(s) On Display Now!
  • Event Location Automotive Hall of Fame, Dearborn, MI
  • Event Description The contributions Black Americans have made to the automotive industry have not been celebrated or even fully captured and shared. Very little effort has even been made to conduct the required research to identify the individuals, much less curate an exhibit on their accomplishments. The Automotive Hall of Fame recognizes that these are important stories that need to be told.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Automotive Festival
  • Event Date(s) Sunday, August 3, 2025 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • Event Location Columbia Center, Troy, MI
  • Event Description Troy’s premier automotive festival, the 17th Annual Troy Traffic Jam, features legacy vehicles, favorite classics, and high-end exotics for everyone to enjoy! There will be lots of events for everyone, including pedal car races for younger car enthusiasts, Tech Talks with leading designers, and demonstrations from local robotics teams. This event is Free to the public and registration to show your vehicle is $25 in advance or $30 at the festival.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Car Show and SWAP Meet
  • Event Date(s) Saturday, June 14, 2025 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Event Location Auto-Owners Insurance National Headquarters, Lansing, MI
  • Event Description The R.E. Olds Chapter of the Oldsmobile Club of America hosts its 31st anniversary homecoming event in Lansing. The featured car this year will be the Oldsmobile Starfire. Special recognition gifts will be presented to the first 500 show cars and 100 vendors.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Albert Kahn Webinar
  • Event Date(s) Thursday, May 22, 2025 1 p.m.
  • Event Location Michigan Historic Preservation Network Online Webinar
  • Event Description Heidi Pfannes, President of the Albert Kahn Legacy Foundation, discusses the architect's impact through the years via this FREE online webinar.

Additional Info

  • Event Title The Centennial of Ford Aviation
  • Event Date(s) Wednesday, May 21, 2025 7:30 p.m.
  • Event Location Ford House Visitor Center, Grosse Pointe Shores
  • Event Description Uncover a side of Henry and Edsel Ford you may not know — their groundbreaking impact on aviation. Guest speaker Mike Skinner will share key insights from Timothy O'Callaghan's book, The Aviation Legacy of Henry & Edsel Ford, revealing how the Fords revolutionized air travel and military flight through innovation and bold vision in this FREE lecture.

Additional Info

  • Event Title Season Kickoff Cruise-In
  • Event Date(s) Wednesday, May 21, 2025 5 - 7:30 p.m.
  • Event Location R.E. Olds Transportation Museum, Lansing
  • Event Description The Museum's first cruise-in of the season includes hot dogs, chips, and pop plus door prizes! All drivers and passengers receive FREE admission to the Museum, and donations are welcome. These cruise-ins are for all makes, all models, and all years- if it has wheels, you are welcome to bring it! Every cruise-in this year has a different theme, so come on down each third Wednesday of the month (except July), May through September.