Tons of Tri-Fives ranging...
Tons of Tri-Fives ranging from country club cruisers, such as the Bel Air convertible, to racecars from the day when they rolled from the garage to the track.
We rolled into the GM Heritage Center in Detroit as the kickoff to the concept Camaro introduction. The actual car was hiding over at the North American International Auto Show, waiting to be unwrapped the next morning, but the fun started here. As a matter of fact, this was the first location where we actually heard the name "Camaro" spoken in the same sentence as the word "concept" by a GM official
How better to begin the celebration than in a place that let us wander amidst some of the greatest cars ever made, anytime, any place? From Motorama concept cars to true street-driven machines, the GM Heritage Museum is a must-see stop for any true car enthusiast. As a matter of fact, it needs to be seen again and again as the cars and displays are constantly changing so the memories stay fresh. Cars from the Brass Era through the giant machines of the 1920s and '30s sit alongside finned and chromed models from the '50s and '60s. Want to see musclecars? They're here. The engine display should keep true "motorheads" busy for a long time. Our favorites are the Motorama "dream cars." When first displayed, they were on a stage and it was impossible to get near them. At the Heritage Center, a visitor can stand next to the car, look inside, and imagine what it must have been like to work in the styling studios during the Harley Earl era. Don't miss it if you're in or near Detroit.
 It's one of the Pontiac Firebird...  It's one of the Pontiac Firebird concepts, done up with a fighter-plane cockpit and controls. |  The last of the CERV concepts,...  The last of the CERV concepts, this is the CERVIII, favored by many to make production as a Corvette. Introduced in 1990, the car is mid-engined, powered by a 5.7-liter V-8 with twin Garret Turbos, producing 650 hp, which gave a calculated top speed of 225 mph. |  Just a small sample of the...  Just a small sample of the engine and powerplant display. It kept some of us occupied for hours looking at these examples of early and modern technology. |
 The '82 Indy 500 Pace Car,...  The '82 Indy 500 Pace Car, one of only two ever built. We featured this car in a recent issue of Camaro Performers. |  Up close and personal is the...  Up close and personal is the way to see Motorama Dream Cars. The Buick Y-Job and the Le Sabre are classic examples of the Harley Earl era in styling, both of which he used for personal transportation. |  This pickup was made and marketed...  This pickup was made and marketed in Brazil. It looked as though it has parts from a dozen different models of American cars and trucks. |
 We loved the Bel Air concept...  We loved the Bel Air concept car from just a couple of years ago. It didn't make it into production, but at least it has a good home. |  The Cadillac row has more...  The Cadillac row has more fins than a school of sharks. |  Sportsman Briggs Cunningham...  Sportsman Briggs Cunningham entered two '50 Cadillacs at Le Mans, a coupe and a rebodied car with a giant roadster body the French called "Le Monstre." The cars finished 10th and 11th. Imagine such entries in today's world! |
 If you like Indy Pace Cars,...  If you like Indy Pace Cars, this is the place! |  It's a V-12 Corvette. This...  It's a V-12 Corvette. This C4 took major amounts of work to fit this engine, not the least of which was lengthening the front end while not making the hood look like it was 10 feet long. Only done as an experiment, the Vette is a one-of-a-kind, as are many of the vehicles in the Heritage Center. | |