YPSILANTI, Mich. – Many of the thousands of Ford dealerships across the country participate in the car culture in ways that go far beyond simply selling and servicing Ford cars and trucks for customers. Some of them have sponsored local Mustang or classic Ford clubs for years and support their various gatherings and events. Others even host big car shows and invite the entire community to come out and enjoy the collectible car hobby with families and fellow enthusiasts. And that’s exactly what Gene Butman Ford in Ypsilanti, Michigan, likes to do each August in the weeks leading up to the massive Woodward Dream Cruise in Metro Detroit.
Ypsilanti is a college town west of The Motor City that’s not only home to Eastern Michigan University, but also the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum that shares in the auto manufacturing legacy that Southeastern Michigan is noted for. This past summer, Butman Ford had hosted its 9th Annual Heritage Car Show & Block Party that featured big display of a variety of makes and models of cars and trucks from across the region, from pre-war to contemporary – even hot rods and customs. The show included food trucks, raffles and more, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the local humane society. They even had live music performed by “The Detroit Drive,” who played classic rock, pop and modern country tunes much to the delight of attendees.
Longtime Ford enthusiast and photographer Mark Storm drove out to the show last summer with his camera and offered us a sample photo gallery of some of the cool Fords he saw on display at the show. Our thanks to him for the pics he shares below – and to Gene Butman Ford for supporting the Ford enthusiast community!
FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY MARK STORM
