Travel through Time in Ypsilanti

Hang on while we take a tour through time in Ypsilanti. 

We will start out at 9:00, Nov 11, in Plymouth at Vanguard Motor Sales, 15100 Keel Street, Plymouth, MI. From the photo, they have about 50 or so high end cars available for sale and well-presented to the public.  

Then we will be off to the Yankee Air Museum in Willow Run airport in Ypsilanti, 47884 D St. Belleville, MI 48111. The museum is located inside part of the building that was used to produce the B-24 Liberators during WW2. It now owns and uses 144,000 square feet of the original plant. Aviation is a part of all of us, and the Yankee Air Museum offers something for everyone. A great place to touch, feel, and interact with some of the most amazing aircraft throughout aviation history. Come see for yourself the rich aviation history. The museum holds aircraft ranging from WW1 to the Gulf War. 

Following the Air Museum, we will have lunch at the Bomber restaurant, the same restaurant that fed the B24 factory workers back during WW2 at 306 E. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, MI 48198. The restaurant's theme is tied to the B-24 Bombers that were made during World War ll, at the nearby Willow Run Bomber Plant. The Bomber opened in 1936 as Baldwin's Diner. In the 1940's the name became "The Bomber"; later changed to Bob's Barbecue in the mid 70's. In 1986 the "Bomber" name returned and was purchased by co-owners John Sebestyen and Johanna McCoy. On January 26, 2011, John Sebestyen passed away. Gone, but not forgotten. Johanna McCoy continues the history, running the Bomber Restaurant to this day. 

After a break and refreshing lunch, we’ll be off to the Michigan Firehouse Museum, 110 W Cross St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. Walking through the restored firehouse, visitors can view fire engine steamers replete with horses ready to go on their way to a fire. The large, modern addition offers 25 changing exhibits of antique trucks and early fire rigs, multiple displays of historic artifacts including tools, equipment, memorabilia, and the largest collection of fire truck bells in the country. Encompassing 26,000 square feet, the museum is an educational treasure trove that includes an original 1898 firehouse and modern, multilevel exhibit display areas.  The Michigan Firehouse Museum and Education Center’s mission is to enhance the appreciation of firefighting history through engaging and informative exhibits, as well as to teach and promote fire safety.

Our final stop will be at the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum and Hudson-Essex Terraplane Historical Society, 100 East Cross Street, Ypsilanti, Mi 48198. The National Hudson Motor Car Co Museum, located inside a former Hudson dealership in Ypsilanti MI, has a diverse selection of Hudson automobiles, memorabilia, and other Hudson artifacts for your viewing enjoyment. Established in 2014, the NHMCCM is managed by the Hudson Essex Terraplane Historical Society. It is in the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum in Ypsilanti MI, which previously was Miller Motors, a longtime Hudson dealer. The Hudson Essex Terraplane Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation of the history, heritage, and automobiles produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company from 1909 to 1954, and American Motors from 1954-1957. The Hudson Motor Car Company produced the Hudson, Essex, Terraplane, and Dover brand vehicles as well as Hall-Scott Defender marine engines branded as Invader 168 for WWII.  Additionally, Hudson provided the chassis and drive train for the Railton produced by Fairmile Engineering Company, Cobham, Surrey, UK between 1933 and 1940. All the museums close at 4:00 on most days, so that is when we will end our day of historical discovery. There will be admission prices of between $5 and $12. Feel free to invite your family and friends and bring whatever car you feel like driving that day. 

Our cars give us a means of bringing a group of nice people together for enjoyable events. 

Bob Matejek, 248-842-1046