From classic Bugattis and Porsche Diesel tractors to the extremely rare GM Futurliner, sometimes it’s nice to take a break from the latest and greatest in this industry for a leisurely trip into the automotive past. On Saturday we did just that at the Fleetwood Country Cruize-In, an annual event that attracts classic car aficionados from Great Lakes region and beyond.
Hosted by Canadian philanthropist Steven Plunkett — whose 41-car private collection is the fourth largest in world — the event benefits some 23 charitable organizations. Over 2,500 classic cars were on display at the 100-acre estate, and an estimated 15,000 people attended.
This year’s event included appearances by movie-car designer George Barris (pictured below), plus 1960s Batman Adam West, and Catwoman actress Julie Newmar. Saturday was the first time in forty years West or Newmar got to see the original ‘Batcopter,’ which was doing laps around the event for about an hour.
The event raised money for Jesse’s Journey, which helps fund research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Photos by Mark Elias
06/09, 9:58 AM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
What’s up with the retarded looking “gangsta” wheels on the GTO in the first pic? I don’t understand why people insist on putting crap like that on cars like that. Is that marilyn manson in the second pic?
06/09, 10:35 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
That Labatts beer wagon is the coolest thing I have ever seen. I’m moist.
06/09, 12:55 PM
posted by:
melias
The one thing we see at a lot of these classic car shows is that:
a. There is no accounting for taste.
b. they play too much 50’s music.
c. If I were judging cars, I would deduct points for any car that the owner had inserted a little stuffed figure of a crying boy leaning against it, in the back seat of it, or anywhere within twenty feet of it.
Elias
06/09, 1:09 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Mark, tell me the beer wagon is full and I promise to stop crying.
06/09, 1:28 PM
posted by:
xyunya
Mr. Elias, was it you servicing 4 ladies at the same time in the last picture?
06/09, 5:26 PM
posted by:
melias
Uh, Mr. Elias, would be my father, and no, that would be George Barris, of Batmobile, Munstermobile, MonkeeMobile, fame.
I hope that good genetics and the wisdom of Pfizer laboratories will allow me to work like Barris when I get to be his age.
Elias
06/09, 5:29 PM
posted by:
melias
What? No comments about the Porsche Diesel Tractors?
Elias
06/09, 10:46 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
… NO.