Detroit, Michigan, known famously as The Motor City, without a doubt, is the world’s automobile capital since most of the cars on the road were built here. Detroit has a vast history based around the automotive industry.
Michigan holds numerous car shows, much more than any other state in the USA.
Along with auto shows, racing affairs of all kinds, and automotive museums that delve into specific interests, as well as group car collections of assorted vehicles, car buffs from around the world come to Michigan to check out the diverse assemblages of transportation.
Michigan’s car culture is certainly different than any other state, with most residents having a deep feeling for all things that relate to our beloved automobiles.
Within the Greater Detroit area, local car shows are a normal every daily occurrence from May thru October at assorted establishments.
Automotive enthusiasts get together to showcase their vehicles, hang out with their car buddies, and perhaps grab a bite to eat. This is a much favored and customary tradition that happens regularly during the summer months.
You can find car shows being held at city parks, restaurant parking lots, churches, community centers, shopping malls, strip malls, and other spots where’s there’s ample parking spaces.
Cars are Michigan residents pride and joy, not simply just autombiles that take us from A to B, although some vintage car owners do daily drive their autos to the normal places too. It’s part of the fun of owning them!
If you like cars of all kinds and aren’t dedicated to one specific type, these small local Southeastern Michigan car shows are a great way to see a variety of hot rods, all at once.
Automobile aficionados show their passion for their rides, exchange memories with others, make new friends, and reveal details about their auto to spectators, all while obtaining a feeling of camaraderie during these car gatherings.
The car hobby is one that many people live for, it’s their only entertainment source for some, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that.
What a great way to share your passion for automobiles, right along with your fellow gearheads!
Michigan is the home for a wide variety of car clubs that indulge car collectors needs to find people with the same tastes and interests. From vintage car clubs to import clubs to one particular brand or model of car, choose one and you can no doubt find somewhere to belong.
The Metro Detroit area has an automotive group no matter your automobile speciality.
Speaking of car clubs in Michigan, the best car club in Michigan (so stated by the actual members of the club, with an obvious bias towards it, but possibly very true), is named the Twisted Axle Car Club, focusing primarily on vehicles that are 25 years and older, with classic Chrysler, Ford & GM vehicles being preferred.
Mopars in the Detroit Area) comprise a high amount of members in this group, which is great if you’re amongst that crowd, but even those with competitor brands are welcomed with high fives.
Attending lots of the smaller and most of the bigger well known car cruises and shows, car barbecues (bbq’s where members bring their cars!) held at members homes, cruising the streets with other members, and a bunch of other activities are just a couple of the things they do on a normal basis. Sound like fun? It is! See the vastness of the activities they employ within the club (michigan car club videos). You may decide that this is the right place for you to be at!
Car clubs usually have associate meetings and a mixed bag of events, along with attending the various car shows. These gatherings are always a pleasant experience, where you can axquire new friends, swap car stories with your buddies, pass out your knowledge to those less experienced, and maybe even learn some new tricks yourself! All while displaying whatever current muscle car you happen to own.
Charity benefits, community sponsored programs, Q&A meetings, name a few examples of what some car clubs may participate in. All types of activities go on within the confines of auto groups. We heard about some car club members who have combined their love of cars with the people they know, performing automotive theme wedding ideas, producing automobile style weddings using their buddies and their vehicles during the wedding ceremony! How’s that for a cool car idea!
Detroit’s various auto clubs provide a spot for car devotees to gather. Specific based car clubs, such as the Mopar car club in Detroit, allows people with certain interests to join together in their passion for the Chrysler Dodge Plymouth type of automobiles.
Finding the proper car club to participate in isn’t that hard, as most nowadays have websites (or online social properties) with all the information about them, what cars they cater to, events and outings they sponsor, and all other areas concerning the groups concerns.
The Greater Detroit Area car scene literally has something for everyone regardless of the specific vehicle that you’re into.
The most recognizable auto show involved with Detroit’s car scene is the North American International Auto Show experience (or NAIAS for short), held inside Huntington Place (Cobo Hall). This is the most prestigious auto show in Michigan, perhaps within all of the USA, and certainly one of the largest events of this type.
Automotive reporters, journalists, all sorts of automobile professionals, and thousands of regular car industry fanatics spectate at this highly anticipate yearly ceremony.
The North American International Auto Show is THE place for the major car makers to unwrap their concept cars, show off the newest cars and trucks available, and announce the special features and designs being touted. No doubt you’ll get a chance to view the latest and greatest vehicles just waiting for you to pick up at your local auto dealer.
Technology and automotive design are advancing every year, and if it’s out there, you’ll definitely find it at the NAIAS.
Detroit hosts a copious amount of automotive events, new cars, old cars, and everything in between. When you think of Michigan, you naturally think of automotive traditions and the heritage of the automobile. After all, that’s what “the Motor City” is all about!
Hot rod lovers will enjoy the annual Detroit Autorama, an indoor spectacle of a variety of modified cars. Also held at Huntington Place, this event is the largest indoor auto type show across the entire country.
The Autorama (or motorama in some areas) is put on in the majority of larger cities within the USA every year.
The Detroit Autorama, which is the oldest Autorama (started in 1953 with 40 cars!), features a wide variety of customized automobiles, hot rods galore, and rows and rows of vintage style and modified classic vehicles.
Adults and kids of any age will enjoy themselves here if they’re into cars like most of the Michigan constituents are.
Put this one on your yearly must attend list!
If you’re more into those exotic Italian cars from around the globe, like the Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and similar, you need to head to The Concorso Italiano.
This famous auto show exhibits a representation of some of the most georgeous and highly desired vehicles from Italy and the surrounding areas.
More into doing, or watching cars actually move than stand still?
Michigan has a plentiful amount of car racing events.
The need for speed is real, whether you’re the one doing the driving, or just watching all the action happen.
Speed fanatics can witness all the glory of going fast at NASCAR tracks (MIS), stock car tracks (in Flat Rock), or drag strips (Milan, Lapeer).
There’s also the Detroit Grand Prix, racing around Belle Isle Park in Detroit. IndyCar and IMSA type racing fans will dig this event. What an adventure.
Scenic views along the Detroit River, a park like setting amidst the demanding street course that runs throughout it, providing a totally unique experience.
A great time for spectators as well as the race car drivers themselves.
Arriving early or staying late offers you a chance to possibly meet up with some of these celebrities of the automotive world.
Yet another exclusive automotive landmark in Michigan is the annual Woodward Dream Cruise, running down Woodward Avenue from Pontiac (M59 / 20 Mile Road) all the way through into Detroit (past 8 Mile Road). There’s a long distance to cover! With assorted stops along the way, including numerous shows and displays bring present.
Multiple cities on Woodward Avenue have their own celebrations going on, so come VERY early if you want to see as much as possible!
This is the absolute largest single day car event that happens anywhere in the world!
Thousands and thousands of automobiles make the journey to cruise down this iconic avenue. The majority of participants are from Michigan, but plenty of out of staters, and even lots of Canadian vehicles come to partake in this one of a kind occasion.
Detroit’s automotive history wouldn’t be called the Motor City without the Woodward Dream Cruise. This was the testing spot in the 1960s and 1970s for car makers. Hot rodders in the area use to (and continue to) conduct street racing here.
Automotive enthusiasts just love this fairway, whether it’s because of its rich history or the excitement of simply checking out what’s running out here on any given weekend during the summer.
The Woodward Dream Cruise boldly supplies all shapes and sizes of new and old vehicles. Custom cars, factory stock muscle cars, and assorted hot rods are all in an abundance out here.
The Dream Cruise brings car lovers from all parts of the United States who desire looking at the enormous collection of automobiles on display, and cruising throughout this all day event.
Want to see Trans Ams, Thunderbirds, Deloreans, Buick Grand National, even Batmobiles and other iconic TV show cars? You’ll see these and tons and tons more of a variety of classic automobiles.
On the subject of classic cars, advancements in automotive technology have been produced for these beauties. You don’t have to settle for standard outdated features, update your ride with things like led lights for Pontiac Grand Prix, so you can see the dashboard instrumentation instead of stuggling with the OEM lights, with the added benefit that other vehicles can see your vehicle while you’re on the road! You don’t want to meet by accident!
Older GM vehicles, such as 1973-1977 Olds Cutlass and Chevrolet Chevelle/Malibu are being offered comparable tech for their cars, as GM A-body cars led lights can cure outdated lighting issues to be a thing of the past.
Detroit’s Woodward Dream Cruise presents the opportunity for family friendly experiences, producing an attractive spot for car lovers (and those others who juts happen to be with them) aged 0-100 years old to all hang out.
Considering the Woodward Dream Cruise accommodates everything car related, in addition to other family style events, automotive and non-automotive families alike can find something to do at this annual spectacle.
Chrysler, Ford and GM car brands have their own exhibits highlighting their top of the line vehicles and perhaps some concept cars. It’s not uncommon to see a female model presenting these particular cars. GM’s arena contains enticing Buick Girls demonstrating features, telling the specifications, and giving their best sales presentations for these newly made vehicles.
Detroit’s glorious automotive history has been recorded in the form of auto museums which can be found throughout the Metro Detroit area.
Dearborn’s Henry Ford Museum, highlights the evolution of the American automobile.
With a wide variety of historical autos, including the famous limousine that President Kennedy was in when he was assassinated.
Historical automobile innovations, exhibits that reveal facts and tales, fun car things to do (for both kids and adults), makes this automotive museum a must to do adventure for anyone wondering about the various automotive industry revolution.
Note that there’s more than just automobilia type exhibits here, which is great for those friends or family who aren’t really into cars like you are.
The Motor City also has the Automotive Hall of Fame building, honoring innovators and the first pioneers who produced the greatest contributions to the automotive industry. Henry Ford, a Detroit native, sits along side the Italian guru Enzo Ferrari.
Tons of ideas and innovations can be found inside the Automotive Hall of Fame. The visionaries who have literally formed the way that we see cars, are acknowledged for their genius within the walls of this informative place. Auto design, the engineering employed, the technology, and way more are highlighted, providing visitors with a detailed knowledge all about the American automobile’s history.
Cruising thru the Motor City, it’s not uncommon to witness new muscle cars on the streets on a regular basis. Some drivers are looking for some fun street type action, others are out and about simply going to regular everyday places.
Dodge Challenger SRT Scat Pack, Corvettes, Camaros and high performance Mustangs are strutting around on any given roadway. This new breed of car enthusiast has the same spirit as the vintage muscle cars.
Modern day muscle cars have newer technology, styling and features, often making them quicker than the fastest cars of yesteryear.
The legacy of Detroit’s auto industry resides within these current hot rods, as the power and performance presented by them create the new automotive traditions for future generations.
When it comes to the Motor City, we continue to show our love for all things automotive.
Automotive innovation, creativity, customizations, automotive museums, car shows, car cruises, racing events, are just part of what makes Detroit have the best car scene. The car culture found within the borders of Michigan is a very energetic one, a passionate and spirited vision, creating a car culture that only continues to amplify Detroit’s status as the auto capital of the world.