Story of the Week

Chrysler Had Great Success with Their Muscle Car Advertising 

by Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher 

One of the most influential automotive advertising campaigns from the 1960s and 1970s was introduced by the Chrysler Corporation. For many years, auto enthusiasts have spoken about or collected Chrysler muscle car advertising material. 

1960s and 1970s culture had a great influence on the young people of that era. There was both wonderful music along and great-looking automotive designs. The cars were fast and offered psychedelic colors. 

In addition, the early 1960s was the dawn of the muscle car craze. The Plymouth Road-Runner, taken from the Warner Brothers fast cartoon bird with a “Beep-Beep” voice, became an American muscle car icon. The famous cartoon bird that inspired the car’s horn became a great success among younger drivers.  

To learn more about this Chrysler's muscle car advertising and to see more examples, click below.

This Week's Story

Museum Announces Expanded Hours Starting Next Month 

After a delay of one week due to road construction in the vicinity, the Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society in Eastpointe plans to expand its hours of operation starting Friday, September 12th. 

The new schedule will be the following: 

• Fridays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Sundays, Noon - 4 p.m. 

The Museum is also seeking additional volunteers to help facilitate the new hours of operation. Those interesting in volunteering can contact the Museum at [email protected]. 

For more information on the museum, click here.

This Week in Auto Heritage 

On September 12, 1882, Joseph Graham, the oldest of three brothers who made a life in the auto industry, was born. 

After successfully beginning their careers in the glass industry, Joseph, along with his brothers Robert and Ray (pictured above center), started making kits in 1919 to modify Ford Model Ts into trucks. Then, they started building their own trucks under the Graham Brothers brand using a variety of engines from different manufacturers. The brothers eventually settled on Dodge engines for their trucks, their trucks started to be sold in Dodge dealerships, and then the Dodge Brothers ultimately bought the Graham brothers truck company in 1925 and hired each of them for executive positions. 

In 1927, with the Dodge brothers gone and a bank trying to sell the company, the Graham brothers elected to buy the Paige-Detroit Motor Company and make their own cars under the Graham-Paige name. Their truck brand disappeared when Walter Chrysler bought Dodge, but the Graham brothers made cars through 1947 when the assets of Graham-Paige were purchased by Kaiser-Frazer. 

Joseph Graham died in July, 1970.

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Events Coming to the MotorCities 

Friday: "Driving by Design" at the Ford Piquette Plant Museum in Detroit 

This Friday at 6 p.m., the Ford Piquette Plant Museum hosts a thrilling event featuring Los Angeles-based race car driver, X Games athlete, stuntman and TV host, Andrew Comrie-Picard. 

He does “hard things with cars” ranging from designing incredible stunts for television and film, to traversing the globe on four wheels. He has appeared as a stunt driver in films starring Tyler Perry, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Charlize Theron, as well as in the "Deadpool" and the "Fast and Furious" film franchises. 

Seating is limited for this exclusive evening. Tickets include cocktails and dinner. Creative automotive attire encouraged! Tickets are $50 for Piquette members and $75 for non-members. 

For more information, click here.

Saturday: Orphan Car Show at the Stahls Motors and Music Experience in Chesterfield Twp. 

This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., join the Stahls Motors and Music Experience for their first Orphan Car Show. 

This unique car show features makes no longer manufactured, including Hudson, Studebaker, DeSoto, Packard, Franklin, Mercury, Plymouth, Oldsmobile, Edsel and more. See over 200 vintage vehicles in their original condition. 

For more information, click here.

Sunday: The Annual Cars 'R' Stars Event at the Packard Proving Grounds in Shelby Township 

This Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., join the Packard Proving Grounds for their annual Cars ‘R’ Stars car show and SWAP Meet! 

This year’s featured vehicle is the Jaguar, but all makes and models are welcome for the show. Visit the Tank Test building to see the Miss America X Display, along with some Packards and historic Packard marine engines. 

Admission is $10 for adults and free for children 12 and under. 

Click here for more information and tickets.

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