An Adventure to the Motor City makes Unforgettable Memories
I recently had the wonderful privilege of traveling to Detroit to meet Jacob Gilbert, the manager responsible for maintaining all of General Motors' concept cars. Here's a glimpse into my adventures on this exciting trip!
After I landed, my adventure started with driving to SlotMods Raceways to meet up with David Beattie, the creator and designer of some truly elaborate slot car tracks. David has worked with Audi, Ford, BBC, Sports Illustrated, and more, showcasing his unique passion for these 1/32-scale zippy cars. David graciously allowed me to take the wheel and test out one of his newest tracks (not yet completed). It was like being a kid again! The excitement of racing David's slot cars was particularly exhilarating because they were modeled after real cars, not just the cheap plastic ones you typically find in sets. Honestly, if I had access to this, I probably wouldn't get any work done!
The following day, I met Jacob at the Ford Museum, where we took the Firebird 3 and LeSabre Concept out of the museum and brought them to a pavilion in town for display at the Greenfield Village Car show, scheduled for the next day. The Ford Museum was a treasure trove with incredible pieces like a stunning 1962 Mustang 1, and a massive train with wheels nearly as tall as me! Once we got the Firebird in place, it was time to unload the LeSabre from the Reliable Carriers truck. Jacob then took me for a ride to showcase the car alongside the Firebird at the Pavilion. One of the most unique features of this spaceship-like automobile is the rotating center headlight. With the flip of a switch, a grille in the hood slides back to reveal the headlights.
After we dropped off the cars, I drove to the GM Heritage Center, a gigantic warehouse filled with concept cars, pace cars, engines, first-built, and last-built cars. Stepping inside for the first time, it was clear - this was the mecca of everything GM. While the warehouse isn't open to the public, Jacob was gracious enough to let me roam around and take photographs to my heart's delight while he was busy taking out the cars to be displayed at the upcoming EyesOn Design Car Show.
One of my favorite moments was when we started up the gorgeous Mako Shark, and the incredible noise practically shook the building. Inside the warehouse, there was a 1959 Stingray Concept, Aerovette, Nomad, Astro 1-3, Cadillac Ciel, and even the very last 1996 Chevy Impala. The warehouse was brimming with too many legendary GM cars to list, so I'll let the pictures do the talking.
On Saturday, we unloaded one Reliable Carrier transporter filled with concept cars at the Design Center in downtown Detroit. I assisted Jacob in unloading the cars and bringing them up to the eleventh floor on one of the world’s most famous automotive elevators. As we positioned them on the floor, Jacob demonstrated how the door opens on the 1959 Cadillac Cyclone and how the headlights pop up. Soon, people began filtering in for the show, and we went back down to the cars and changed into our suits to mingle. Ed Welburn, the designer responsible for turning the automotive world upside down with his ultimate designs, won the Lifetime Design Award while sitting in the room.
The atmosphere of the room was almost overwhelming – I’ve always harbored a desire to be an automotive designer, but my talents lie more in vision than in the tactile creation. Nevertheless, it was an incredible experience that I will cherish for a long time!
Early Sunday morning around 6 am, my new friend Chris Ashworth (DtRockstar1- YouTube) and I were waiting eagerly at the entrance, anticipating the arrival of the transporters carrying precious cargo like the Hummer HX, Chrysler Lamborghini Portofino, Corvette Mako Shark, Manta Ray, and Firebird 1 and 2. The sound of these iconic cars starting up and driving by was a treat in itself. Chris captures these unique moments on his YouTube channel, showcasing cars that we usually only see as showpieces at international Auto Shows. The Mako Shark has an interesting horn that sounds like someone strumming a harp, and the Cadillac Cyclone has a door that pops out and slides back, revealing its headlights.
Security was notably tight at the EyesOn Design show. While I was there with Jacob, I managed quite well on my own. As is often the case, I found myself grumbling about the organization of events—photographers' requests and perspectives are sometimes overlooked, despite our role in making the event look top-notch! Cell phone snapshots might suffice for social media, but they don't meet the standards of quality publications. The show itself ran smoothly, but as a photographer, we're trained to view events from a different angle. For instance, I collaborate with Misselwood Concours to ensure cars are parked in ways that maximize their photographic potential for publications, aiming to elevate the overall presentation of their event.
You can always spot a true photographer by their willingness to rise early in the morning. "The early bird gets the worm" perfectly encapsulates my approach. Three hours of sleep? No problem. I know that before the sun comes up is the prime time to arrive anywhere. There's a magical quality to early sunrise, with people setting up and cars rolling in. There's so much to capture in those quiet moments. If it's a sunny day, by 10 am the sun hits just right, and after that, shooting cars can become challenging. Once the crowds arrive, it's a waiting game for that elusive clear shot, as show-goers constantly pass by.
There were some fascinating categories at this event that caught my eye. One of my favorites was the "factory vs. modified" category, where two identical cars competed against each other - one in its original factory form and the other custom with flashy wheels, a massive motor, and wild paint. Chrysler had a display showcasing a concept car next to its production version, which was quite intriguing. Witnessing the 1989 Dodge Viper RT/10 prototype was a standout moment, especially with its headers protruding from the side vents. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoyed the custom hot rods category. The bold colors, funky steering wheels, and shag carpets created a truly unique and eye-catching look.
At the Design Center, while we were bringing up the cars, I had the opportunity to help detail one of my favorite cars - the Buick Avista. It was through this car that I was initially introduced to Jacob Gilbert on the show field at Amelia Island. I asked Jacob to stop with a clear background so I could capture a few shots. At the time, I believed I had the only photo of the Avista in natural light and in a natural setting. Chris Brewer, wanting special photos of the car, reintroduced me to Jacob. Little did I know that a few years down the road, an incredible trip like this would happen.
Being my first time at this event, I wasn’t sure how long the awards would take. I was able to capture the beginning of the ceremony when Ed Whelburn spoke about why he pursued automobile design. For him, it was because of the 1959 Cadillac Cyclone at a 1960 auto show in Philadelphia. He laid his eyes on it and never forgot its futuristic style. Unfortunately, I missed the ‘Best in Show’ as I was gathering cars for a shoot in front of the Edsel House. Nonetheless, I’m glad I was able to witness as much of the awards ceremony as I did.
All in all, I met some fantastic, authentic car people in my travels to Detroit, Michigan. I look forward to visiting again for the Concours of America!