I recently came across a few photos from when I volunteered at Big Boy Cruise Night in Brooklyn 25 years ago. I have good memories from those days. Cruise night was an opportunity for people to come together and bond over vintage and classic cars over the years.
One of the earliest car shows, more similar to those seen in Detroit than the vague dice and tailfin shows, came to Adrian in May 1910.
A committee met in early 1910 to put together a showcase of automobiles that included cars manufactured in Lenawee County. Adrian Garage manager William Earle agreed to host the event at his North Winter Street store. Fred Pike of Morenci was in charge of the entire event.
“The committee in charge expects many surprises regarding the cars and engines on display, with several factories promising to deliver their first 1911 models, including some racing cars,” Telegram said. reported this week. Before the showcase on May 21st. The automobile event was supposed to be a “reward” for the people of Lenawee County, as automobiles were still fairly new machines. Admission to the event was free and nearly every car salesman and agent in Lenawee County attended.
There were about 20 makes and models of cars on display, ranging from runabout cars to touring cars. The price of the vehicle itself ranged from $450 to $3,500.
On that Saturday in 1910, car companies, some familiar today and others you’ve never heard of, brought their top-of-the-line models to Adrian. Sponsored by the J.W. Dean Automobile Agency, Hudson’s touring cars were described as “a New York, Chicago, and New York sensation.” It’s the Detroit Auto Show. ” McKinster’s ‘Maxwell’ car, located at 9 Maiden Lane, Adrian, was boasted of having traveled 10,074 miles ‘without stopping the engine’. Other car brands included Adrian’s own Lion, International, Studebaker, Overland, Speedwell, Brush, Hupmobile, and the long-running brand Ford. LC Hayden of Tecumseh displayed Critt, Mitchell, and International cars. “The sale of krit has been banned since June 15, but people still crave krit.”
The cars were positioned so that spectators could see them from “all angles”, with some cars having their bonnets and floor traps removed to allow a better view of each model’s mechanics and assets. .
Due to the large number of visitors on the day of the show, the organizers decided to extend the event until Sunday, which also recorded a satisfactory number of visitors. “While some exhibitors left on Saturday night, the majority maintained their exhibits on Sunday and were met by a large audience.”
The car parade formed at 2 p.m. and took a route along the city’s “major paved roads.”
On May 23, 1910, the Telegram declared the event to be “an ideal exhibition, better than that of any of the great cities.” This was based on the opinion of George W. Franklin, district manager for Regals Sales Company, who said Adrian Shaw was the 12th event of the year and that it was “better than the shows in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids.” “I was doing it,” he said.
Adding to the fun for attendees was a miniature brushed runabout car unveiled by Hudson’s agent Dillon. Eight men were packed into a car and performed several stunts for the crowd during the parade.
Dan Cherry is Lenawee County Historian.