24th Annual Orphan Car Show (Studebaker, Hudson, Nash, Kaiser, Frazer, AMC, Checker, Plymouth, Edsel, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Imperial, etc.)

[tim boyd]

This year's event was down somewhat in terms of participation due to the effects of Covid-19 and several other automotive events in Michigan the same weekend (2022 NAIAS Detroit Auto Show, Concours of the Americas in downtown Detroit, NSRA Street Rod Nationals North in Kalamazoo, and the Pure Stock Drags in Mid-Michigan). Still, there was a very robust cross section of cars representing automotive brands that are no longer sold in North America.

Highlights included an amazing turnout of DeSoto automobiles from pre WW-II to the very end, a robust representation of first and second gen Corvairs including pickups and wagons, and a thorough cross section of Packards across the years. British and non-British Import Orphan brands was a sub-theme this year, generating several mid-century Citroens, Triumphs and MG's, and even a Honda/Rover joint venture UK-produced and Rover-badged Integra-based product (no, not a Sterling)! There were even three gull-wing door DeLoreans!

A different highlight was the authoritative commentary provided by my good friend and automotive historian/journalist Ed Ostrowski and as well as Bob Elton, who not only discussed the cars as they drove by the viewing stand, but also the automotive market and business context at the time each product was introduced. Even knowledgeable auto enthusiasts were surprised at some of the factoids and research they conveyed to the show participants.

In the photos that follow, you'll note an extra emphasis on the artful hood ornaments and vehicle badging that adorned many of the show entrant.

The Orphan show is a unique automotive show that has a long history dating back to the nearby world's last Hudson showroom, now functioning as the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum. It enjoys robust support from the adjacent Depot Town merchants, and Ypsilanti's Riverside Park is a spectacular venue for automotive events. It all adds up to a very unique automotive experience and I highly recommend you consider adding it to your 2023 automotive calendar if the subject of Orphan automotive makes is of interest to you and your family.

(Roughly 280 images at the link above for your perusal and enjoyment.)  Thanks in advance for looking!  TIM 
 

Edited September 19, 2022 by tim boyd

[espo]

Thank you for the pictures. Beautiful setting for a show. Nice to see all of these interesting cars from the past. Nice to see that so many are being saved and enjoyed. 

[iamsuperdan]

Beautiful stuff!

 

That red Merkur is fantastic.