Historic commercial vehicles will be the stars next month at the annual Cars ‘R’ Stars show at the historic Packard Proving Grounds in Shelby Township just north of Detroit.
Among the featured vehicles expected are a 1937 Ford Texaco Tanker; a 1947 Chevrolet used by the famed Michigan soda pop bottler, Vernor’s; a 1920 Ford Model T depot hack; a 1934 Ford delivery featuring Kodak advertising; and a 1934 Australian-built Chevrolet “ute.”
“Cars ‘R’ Stars @ PPG is known for welcoming all examples of collectable transportation and this year’s feature is a good example of that,” said Don Sommer, a longtime car collector, founder of the former Meadow Brook concours d’elegance and a Cars ‘R’ Stars board member.
“Our hunt to bring together the most famous and nostalgic trucks and commercial vehicles of America has been a real lesson in our industrial history,” he added in a news release.
Cars ‘R’ Stars is the successor to the Carnival of Cars, one of the oldest annual classic car events in Michigan. It is held at the historic Packard Proving Grounds, designed 83 years ago by famed architect Albert Kahn. The grounds includes a Tudor-style lodge with an 8-bay garage and temporary dormitory for engineers and test drivers, as well as the Repair Garage where much of the work was conducted on Packards as they were undergoing development.
The facilities also include a section of the proving grounds’ oval track and its historic timing tower.
Each year, the show includes a full range of vehicles — from brass-era cars to motorcycles to hot rods, muscle cars and other classics. But each year there also is a featured class. In recent years, the feature class has included historic drag racers (2012) and vintage travel trailers and motor homes (2013).
“The historic significance of the Packard Proving Grounds makes it an important and ideal setting for a collector car meet and celebration,” Sommer said. “The unique proving grounds is a piece of Michigan history where the greatest American autos ran their paces.
“The beauty of this event is that everyone is invited to show off their vehicles and enjoy the setting and the camaraderie of fellow automotive lovers.”
For more information, visit www.carsrstars.com.