State Police display 1957 car.

DEARBORN — Despite the rainy forecast on Saturday, Oct. 1, the weather cleared up just in time for the American Automobile Association’s first ever Auto Expo, held at the company’s headquarters in Dearborn. 

The event, which took at least three moths to plan, had a community focus. From 9 a.m. to noon, local car enthusiasts and companies, including Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, Hertz and the Michigan State Police, were invited to come and display their cars, both new and old. 

As a car lover, AAA Auto Club Group CEO Joe Richardson Jr. created the event and showed off his 1969 Dodge Charger. 

“That’s the point, just sort of [bringing] car enthusiasts of all types,” said Kevin Bakewell, senior vice president of AAA Auto Club South in Florida. “Here in Detroit, this is all about the birthplace of the automobile.”

“We’re just trying to make it a fun event,” said Public Affairs Director Susan Hiltz. “And really a celebration of the automobile is the bottom line with this. We’re looking to make this a tradition in the Detroit area.”

Mike and Pam Krayewski explore different cars at the event.

Attendees were given free handouts, including sling pack goodie bags.

Those displaying their cars received a dashboard plaque, while the first 100 drivers got collectable event hats.

Brent Stahlheber, chief brand officer at AAA, stressed that the event was for people’s enjoyment, while at the same time informing them of AAA’s versatile services, including banking, travel, membership and insurance options. Gaining trust with clients to let them know AAA can help with any car-related needs they may have is one of the organization’s main focuses.

“We tend to look at all aspects of the enjoyment of the car and the person,” Stahlheber said. “And it’s all about the member and giving them the opportunity to feel like AAA is there for them in all aspects.”

Ken Lingenfelter, owner of the 44-year-old Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, was pleased to be part of the expo, bringing along two Z06 Corvettes and one C7 Corvette. 

Lingenfelter, who hosts a similar “Cars & Coffee” event every Saturday morning during the summer in Wixom, helped design and give advice for AAA’s first Auto Expo. He plans on coming next year
as well.

“We’ll support [AAA] with every opportunity we can,” he said. 

Other attendees included Mike and Pam Krayewski from Brownstown Township, who showed off their 1966 Mustang Fastback 2+2.

“Everybody was so nice,” Mike said. “They have nice things they’re giving away and it was a lot of fun.”

“It think it’s great,” Pam said. “Any time you can get a community event going, it’s great.”

The two enjoyed displaying their car and checking out the other vehicles, but they hope if advertising increases for next year’s event, there will be an even better turnout.

“It was organized nicely,” Pam said. “A little more advertising and they would have maybe gotten a better turnout.”

Bakewell could not have been happier with the expo’s success.

“We’re very happy with the turnout,” he said. “We’re very excited on all counts. I think what I’m most impressed with is the fact that there are so many different cars here. There are really nice [cars] that have been fully restored, there are ones that are still in the process and some of them that are just kind of average cars that are kind of cool. To me, that’s what’s impressive.”