Million Dollar Motorway

You asked for it West Michigan...you got it!  The most admired feature of the 2011 Show is back by popular demand.  Only vehicles with retail prices over $100,000 qualify to be displayed in our "Million Dollar Motorway" ...our total? ...well over $1 Million!

Vehicles expected to be on display in the Million Dollar Motorway include:

Aston Martin Vantage Volante Convertible

Aston Martin Rapide

Aston Martin Virage

Aston Martin DBS Volante

Bentley GT

Bentley GTC

Rolls Royce Ghost

Maserati QP

Maserati GT Convertible

Lamborghini 550 Gallardo Coupe

Jaguar XKR-S

The Dominguez Family Stunt Riders

The Dominguez Family "Globe of Death" is a 16' tall, 7,000 lb sphere of steel mesh!  These amazing performers are guaranteed to keep you in awe as the riders twist, turn, and loop vertically and horizontally, coming within mere inches of one another at top speeds of over 45mph!  They will take the action to another level by adding another person to stand in the center of the globe for a total of 4 daring performers in the globe simultaneously!  You don't want to miss this exciting performance.

Performance Schedule:

Thursday:     4:30pm  /  8pm

Friday:         4:30pm  /  8pm

Saturday:     12pm  /  4:30pm  /  8pm

Sunday:       12pm  /  4:30pm

Auto Show Supercars

They're back!  The supercars on display will have at least $20,000 worth of added options and accessories.

Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Coupe

Finished in black, this Challenger has a smooth 6.4L V-8 cylinder engine, matched by a 5-speed automatic transmission.  470 HP HEMI!

Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Coupe

6.2 L V-8 supercharged engine - 550 HP!

Shelby Mustang GT 500

Comic Bots

NEW THIS YEAR - The famous Comic Bots will be wandering the aisles throughout the Show!  They have appeared on countless shows and events worldwide including America's Got Talent, Showtime at the Appolo, the Grand Old Opry, celebrity private parties, opening for major musicians, and hosting events throughout the world!

Comic Bots Performance Schedule

Thursday:  4pm  /  7pm

Friday:  3pm  /  6pm

Saturday:  12pm  /  2pm  /  5:30pm

Sunday:  11am  /  2pm

Meijer Automotive Area

Auto Show Platinum Sponsor Meijer will be at the Show with the Penske Grand Prix car and an OCC Chopper!  Be sure to stop by and check these out while you're at the Show.

CLICK HERE for more details

Award-Winning Authors Christine Byron & Tom Wilson to Sell and Sign Copies of Their Latest Book

They will make a special appearance on Friday evening from 6:30 - 9:30pm selling and signing copies of their latest book, Vintage Views Along the West Michigan Pike: From Sand Trails to US31.  Stop by and see them in the Grand Gallery, adjacent to the Gilmore Car Museum display!

Chris and Tom's latest book tells the story of this road's early beginning as serpentine sand trails and rutted dirt pathways and its transformation to US-31 used by today's traveler.  The book was recently named a Michigan Notable Book by the Library of Michigan.

Gilmore Car Museum Display

Each year the Gilmore Car Museum of near by Hickory Corners presents an outstanding exhibit of historic automobiles during the show.  This year is no exception and the museum, considered one of the top five car museums in the nation, has selected a little something for everyone to enjoy.

Sponsored by Michigan Radio

1903 Pierce Stanhope - Gilmore Car Museum Vehicle

Company Advertising

The luxury automobile maker Pierce-Arrow actually had a very humble beginning.  Following the Civil War, the George N. Pierce Company started as a manufacturer of birdcages, iceboxes, and other household items.  By the late 1880's they too were swept up in the nation's bicycling craze and began producing a full line of bicycles.  In 1901, shortly after the first "horseless carriages" began to appear, Pierce introduced its first automobile - two full years before Cadillac or Ford went into business. 

By 1903 the Pierce, which were sold by bicycle sales agents throughout the country, was offered as three models of automobiles - a runabout, a five-passenger touring car, and the popular Sanhope.  The simple, yet very reliable Stanhope was the company's best seller in 1903 with 149 units sold, and featured a hidden seat in front of the driver.

1910 Loizer - Gilmore Car Museum Vehicle

With a price tag of over $5,000 (equating to more than $180,000 in today's dollar) the Lozier was advertised as "legitimately high priced" and was easily the most expensive American car of its day.  The Lozier was a favorite of the ultra-wealthy, such as Titanic survivors Helen and Dickinson Bishop of Dowagiac, MI.  As soon as the survivors' rescue ship arrived in New York harbor the Bishops wired their chauffeur to immediately drive their Lozier - similar to this example - from Michigan to pick them up.

2012 marks the 100th Anniversary of the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic - the famed "unsinkable" ship that was lost when it struck an iceberg.  Of the over 2,200 passengers onboard - including many of the world's wealthiest - only 75 people survived.  West Michigan has strong ties to this historic event.  US Senator William Alden Smith of Grand Rapids launched the United States' Inquiry into the disaster and subpoenaed the ship's British crew and wealthy passengers alike. Dickinson Bishop was heir to the Round Oak Stove Company of Dowagiac.  He and his bride, Helen, were anxious to return home after the disaster, but their chauffeur and car would have to wait as they were called to testify before Senator Smith's committee.  The couple also endured rumors covered in newspapers across the nation that Mr. Bishop had dressed as a woman to secure his place in a lifeboat.  Over 40 passengers on the doomed liner were from Michigan or were in the process of immigrating here.

1924 Marmon Sport Speedster - Gilmore Car Museum Vehicle

The Nordyke & Marmon Company of Indianapolis, IN, the nation's largest manufacturer of flour mill machinery, had been in business for over fifty years when it entered the fledgling auto industry in 1902.  The firm produced few automobiles and remained relatively unknown until it took off - literally - in 1911.  It was in 1911 that the Marmon Wasp was driven to victory by Ray Harroun at the very first running of the famed Indianapolis 500.  The Marmon would go on to become one of the most distinguished American cars both for its speed and appearance.

In 1920 a Marmon Speedster similar to the example here, served as the Pace Car for the Indy 500 and led the pack at over 80 mph.  Race drivers later said the Marmon was one of the fastest cars on the track that day. 

Marmon holds claim to inventing the automotive rear view mirror and utilized an early variation of unibody construction decades before it became the industry.

1935 Auburn Speedster - Gilmore Car Museum Vehicle

Due to the worsening Depression, sales of Auburns continued to fall throughout 1934 and the firm was left with very little money to develop a new look for 1935.  With a budget of only around $50,000, famed Duesenberg designer Gordon Buehrig utilized 100 leftover bodies from the 1933 Speedster program to create the stunning 1935 Speedster.

Buehrig redesigned the earlier cars' frill and hood lines, and added exposed exhaust pipes to the Supercharged Straight 8 engines that replaced the V-12s.  The addition of a new boat-tail back end and pontoon fenders resulted in what many consider to be Auburn's ultimate masterpiece: the 851 Speedster.  Yet, priced at $2,245 the firm lost money on each one it sold. 

Noted racer Ab Jenkins set 70 speed and endurance records in a stock 1935 Auburn Speedster and, as a result, each speedster built carried a dash plaque attesting to its over 100 mph capability.

1948 Tucker - Gilmore Car Museum Vehicle

The iconic 1948 Tucker was like no other automobile previously produced.  Its many safety innovations were years ahead of its time, including the first pop-out windshield, padded dash, passenger crash chamber, and a center headlight, which turned with the steering wheel to light the way around corners.  Powered by a helicopter engine mounted in the rear and capable of sustained speeds of 120 mph, the Tucker was introduced in June of 1947 to great fanfare and public interest.

Due to financial problems and US Grand Jury indictment, only one prototype and 50 cars were produced before the venture collapsed.  All defendants in the government's case were found not guilty, but their acquittal came too late to save the company.  This example is the 47th of 50 cars produced and is the lowest mileage original Tucker in existence with only 50 actual miles!

The Tucker's price tag in 1948 was to be $2,450 and today on those rare occasions when a Tucker is offered for sale, they trade at well over $1 million dollars.

1947 Indian Motorcycle - Gilmore Car Museum Vehicle

In 2011 the Gilmore Car Museum opened an all-new exhibit hall featuring motorcycles dating from 1898 to 2009.  The Indian Chief motorcycle represents the peak of popularity, style, and engineering of the time and is highly sought by collectors today.

This spectacular 1947 Indian had been parked for nearly forty-five years when it was discovered in 2002 and meticulously restored by a father and his three teenage sons.

1948 Chevy Pickup Street Rod - Gilmore Car Museum Vehicle

While the Gilmore Car Museum is renowned for its collection of over 250 classic and antique cars it shouldn't come as a surprise to also find trucks, race cars, motorcycles and even a street rod or two.  This 1948 Chevrolet half-ton pickup street rod is a recent donation to the museum and is one example of the diversity of collection.  In recent years vintage pickup trucks have become very coveted by hobbyists, both to restore back to the original condition and to customize with larger engines, modern suspensions and plush interiors.

1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser - Gilmore Car Museum Vehicle

Dubbed as one of the most gadget-laden cars ever built, the Mercury Turnpike Cruiser featured "Twin Jet" fresh air intakes over the windshield, a push button Merc-O-Matic transmission, and a power rear window that created "Breezeway Ventilation."  Standard equipment included power seating, brakes and windows, as well as a "Seat-O-Matick" automoatically adjusting front seat with memory and a "Monitor Control Panel" with tachometer and an average speed "Computer."

For 1957 Mercury's were completely restyled and for the first time debuted a unique body that was exclusive to its own brand and not based on either Fords or Lincolns.  The Turnpike Cruiser was the top of the Mercury line and was offered only in 1957 and 1958.

Racing Awareness

Racing Awareness will be at the Show this year with their #97L Modified race car.  They will be raising money for the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital with a charitable basketball contest.

RacingAwareness.com is a foundation in partnership with the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, which is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and their families coping with the illness or injury of a child.  RacingAwareness.com's efforts are focused on raising awareness and funds to launch and support the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Foundation programs and services.  RA strives to achieve this through the unique niche centered around auto racing.

Racing Awareness Inc. fields two racecars to compete at the Berline Raceway in Marne, MI.  The #97L RacingAwareness.com Modified returns in 2012 for a third season, with first-year driver Kevin DeGood.  The debut of the #55 template car, piloted by 3-time Berline Raceway Champion Dave Lake will compete in the sophomore season of the Premier Boyne Marchine Super Lates Series.

Micro-Reality Race Cars

All attendees are invited to step right up and try their skill at these remote control race cars.