NORTHVILLIANS,
In today’s newsletter, I am writing about the Detroit Auto Show and its Northville connections. I was fortunate to attend the kickoff Charity Preview last Friday night, which I have done for the last 42 years. I also attended the governor’s speech Thursday and witnessed the ribbon-cutting opening with Mike Duggan. Additionally, many of our Northville restaurants hosted pre & post Detroit Auto Show Charity Preview events.
Some Car Culture Fun Facts:
In 1929, after the paving & widening of 7 Mile, Northville hosted the largest auto show in Michigan (to that point) at the Wayne County Fair Grounds (Northville Downs). –Detroit News
Cars in Northville have been part of our DNA since the early 1900’s, when Henry Ford spent time in town with his Vagabonds group (Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, John Burroughs)
Originally, the longest stretch of cement highway in the country (7 Mile) started in Detroit and ended in Northville because of automotive commerce
Northville at the time was ranked 2nd behind Detroit in economics in the State.
Northville’s Love Affair with the Automobile and Car Shows:
As we ready for Northville’s Bicentennial next year, envision the changes in our transportation modes over the past 200 years; from horse & buggies along with stagecoaches, to trains (1871), street cars (1899) & automobiles rumbling down our dirt roads in the early 1900’s.
1899 – Detroit’s first Auto Show was held at the Armory (a castle-like bastion) when cars were first starting to be spotted in Northville. As the automotive industry grew, so did the Show.
1902 – There were five car dealers in the City of Detroit that had an auto show/expo displaying three electric brands, two steamers, and three gassers. (Free Press)
1910 – According to automotive historians, the 1910 show was something of a landmark. It was the first time that many of the vehicles were exhibited complete with all of their equipment.
1918 – NORTHVILLE AUTOMOBILE CLUB: This Club was established with 100 members who assisted in ensuring the success of the Detroit Auto show. The group was the precursor to today’s American Automobile Association (AAA) which merged with the Northville Group.
1924 – Another location for the Detroit Auto Show was the Beller’s Beer Garden near the Belle Isle Bridge. In 1924, a new convention hall was completed on Woodward. Historians said that the hall contained more exhibition area on one floor than any other showplace in the country.
1929 – SEVEN MILE ROAD –The Detroit News reported that the renovated 7 Mile Rd from Detroit to Northville was now the longest paved road in the Country. It was 40 feet wide and connected these two towns for commerce and entertainment.
LARGEST AUTO SHOW IN MICHIGAN WAS IN NORTHVILLE …
To celebrate this new stretch of concrete, Wayne County Fair Grounds (the Downs) hosted the largest auto show up to that point in Michigan (Northville Record). This was sponsored by the Detroit Metro Dealers who displayed brands such as Ford, Chevrolet, Buick, Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler & Pontiac, along with REO & Studebaker. More than 50 new models were shown in Northville.
1949 – After WWII, the following dealerships were listed in Northville: Ford, Chevy, Studebaker, Kaiser/Frazer, Packard, Mercedes, Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge.
1950’s – The Detroit auto show was hosted throughout this decade at several locations, including the State Fair Coliseum (8 Mile/Woodward) which had a permanent indoor display.
1960 – The event became the National Automobile Show and moved to the recently completed Cobo Hall (Huntington Place today). It was dubbed “The Biggest Auto Show of All.” The 1961 models were featured in a “Carousel of Cars.” The show attracted over 1.4 million people and was covered by radio & television stations from across the country. Eisenhower, the nation’s 34th president, made an appearance. Pres. Trump was in Detroit last week hosted by the Detroit Economic Club. Years past I met Pres. H.W. Bush (41st Pres.) at an economic club lunch. (The Detroit Economic Club during the Auto Show times has hosted every President since 1969.)
1970’s – The Cobo Hall show continued to display and introduce new models. The late ‘60’s & early ‘70s brought in muscle car fans & the excitement of selling horsepower. The 1970 show broke attendance records. In 1972 the show included GM’s experimental safety vehicle (ESV).
1980’s & 1990’s – In January 1989, the event was renamed the North American International Auto show (NAIAS). Later, an expansion of Cobo was introduced allowing more models to be displayed. I grew up attending the Show in the 60’s with my father and continue going today.
CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE OF AMERICA(a world-renowned event) – previously hosted locally, featuring some of the finest and rarest cars available. It historically took place at the Inn at St. John’s on the Northville/Plymouth border. Through those years, the city teamed up with its sponsors for displays in downtown Northville during their festival of cars.
Northville’s Concours d’Elegance at the Mill Race, hosted by founder David Kibbey & his Team, is getting international recognition and will return for a 5th show this year, displaying some of the world’s most unique vehicles at the Mill Race Village and at Ford Field.
LOCAL Monthly CAR SHOWS (May-October) have been part of our DNA since the beginning of the horseless carriage days. The local tradition continues (starting in 2019) with Northville Cars & Coffee. This show was established by Alexander Hanka (Alexander’s Custom Clothiers) and the “Motorsports Mayor” and takes place on the second Saturday of the month at the “Market Area” on 7 Mile.
So, you can see Northville has been connected to the Auto industry since its inception. country today. I thank each of you for assisting the Northville Community in achieving its own Dreams.
Keep that Northville Car Culture Faith!
Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849
(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)
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