Cars 'R' Stars show returns to Packard Proving Grounds in Shelby Township

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Cars 'R' Stars at the Packard Proving Grounds is back Sunday at the historic Packard Proving Grounds in Shelby Township.

The show features hundreds of vintage vehicles from all eras. And this year, it's not just cars -- there will be plenty of trucks, too.

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The special feature at this year's event are historic commercial vehicles, including some of America's most iconic trucks: the 1937 Ford Texaco Tanker, the 1947 Chevy Vernor's Truck, the 1920 Model T Depot Hack with elaborate wood paneling, the 1934 Ford Delivery featuring Kodak advertising, as well as the Australian 1934 Chevy "Ute", Australia's national vehicle with the tag line - "Real Aussie's drive Utes."

The beloved Vernor's Truck featuring Detroit's favorite beverage will be there along with vintage milk trucks that made home deliveries and even a beautiful 1977 "Cadillac" ambulance.

"Our hunt to bring together the most famous and nostalgic trucks and commercial vehicles of America has been a real lesson in our industrial history," said Don Sommer, Cars 'R' Stars @PPG board member. "This will be a great opportunity for whole families to share memories and history together with the "actual vehicles" there to inspire stories.

Sommer was founder of the Meadow Brook "Concours d'Elegance."

Cars 'R' Stars @ PPG is one of the oldest classic cars shows in Michigan, formerly known as Carnival of Cars. In the last six years, the show has enjoyed resurgence, in tandem with the ongoing preservation and restoration of the famous Packard Proving Grounds. Built 83 years ago by the legendary Albert Kahn, the Proving Grounds features a beautiful Tudor style Lodge with an 8-bay garage and temporary dormitory for engineers and test drivers as well as part of the original test track. This is where the high performance vehicles of the 20th century were tested.The 6,500 sq ft Repair Garage is where much of the disassembly/reassembly and bench testing occurred.

Event info:

  • The show takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Admission is $5 -- and children under 12 are free.
  • The Historic Packard Proving Grounds is located on Van Dyke, south of 23 Mile Road in Shelby Township.