Story of the Week
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Remembering Ed Hugas and the First Cobra

by A. Wayne Ferens

James Edward Hugas was a member of the "Greatest Generation" that won World War II. He was born on a Pennsylvania farm on June 30, 1923. When the war broke out, Hugas joined the army and completed basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia – then, he became a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division and served in the Pacific Theatre. He mustered out in 1946 and returned to Pennsylvania where he discovered European sports cars and saved enough money to purchase a MGTC.

In 1952, Hugas (pictured above) and a partner named Parker Davis opened an MG dealership in Pittsburgh and within a year added Jaguar to their lineup. The dealership was called European Cars, Inc. and was located at 2535 West Liberty Ave. in the South area of Pittsburgh. Over the next several years, Hugas would own three different car dealerships that would sell and service a variety of imports. He also became the U.S. Distributor of Isis Formula Juniors that were made by Alejandro De Tomaso.

To learn more about Hugas and see more images, click below.

This Week's Story

The Countdown is On to Join MotorCities as a Member!

What have we learned in 2023?

MotorCities National Heritage Area has a 25-year legacy of impacting thousands of lives to the tune of thousands of jobs and millions in grants that stimulated millions of additional dollars in our local economy.

It's not too late to support our work and join a growing number of people passionate about the automobile and its history by becoming a MotorCities member. Your support allows us to make an even greater impact and features a variety of "Show Your Card" benefits during 2024 at many of our partner attractions, including the following:

 - Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn: 20% off admission
 - Detroit Historical Museum: 20% off general admission and 10% off in the Museum Store
 - Detroit Institute of Arts: 20% off admission for guests from outside Wayne, Oakland & Macomb counties & 10% off purchase of any membership
 - Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores: buy one, get one free house tour and grounds pass ($15 savings)
 - Ford Piquette Plant Museum in Detroit: 10% off in the museum store
 - Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners: 10% off in the gift shop
 - The Henry Ford in Dearborn: 10% off the purchase of any membership
 - Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester: 10% off admission for up to two guests
 - Michigan Firehouse Museum in Ypsilanti: 10% off admission
 - Michigan History Museum in Lansing: buy one, get one free adult admission + a 10% discount in the store
 - Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society in Eastpointe: $2 off admission per person
 - R. E. Olds Transportation Museum in Lansing (pictured above): $5 off adult admission (50% off)
 - Roush Automotive Collection in Livonia: 10% off in the gift shop
 - Sloan Museum of Discovery in Flint: 10% off in the store
 - Yankee Air Museum in Belleville: 50% off admission
 
Thank you for your support.

Join MotorCities Now!

This Week in Auto Heritage

On December 30, 1936, one of the first sit-down strikes in the United States began, as autoworkers occupied the General Motors Fisher Body Plant Number One in Flint, MI.

The workers were striking to win recognition of the UAW International Union as the only bargaining agent for GM’s workers. They also wanted to make GM stop sending work to non-union plants and establish the following: a fair minimum wage scale, a grievance system and a set of procedures that would protect assembly line workers from injury. The strike went on for 44 days.

The Flint sit-down strike was strategic for UAW leaders, as Fisher Body One contained one of just two sets of body dies that GM used to stamp out almost every one of its 1937 cars. By taking control of the plant, workers could shut down the company almost completely.

So, at 8 p.m. on December 30, the night shift simply stopped working. They locked themselves in and sat down.

In mid-February, GM signed an agreement with the UAW. Among other things, the workers were given a 5% raise and permission to speak in the lunchroom. (Photo above: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor & Urban Affairs, Wayne State University)

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Events Coming to the MotorCities

Tonight through Saturday: Enjoy the Final Days of Holiday Lights at Meadow Brook Hall

Indoors or outdoors, Meadow Brook Hall has a holiday experience for you that continues through Saturday, December 30.

Indoors, Meadow Brook's annual Holiday Walk brings the magic of the season alive with an unforgettable series of activities and special events. Experience the wonder of our more than 50 magnificent trees — including a 10-foot tall Poinsettia tree created by 150 live plants, dazzling trimmings, and lights galore!

Winter Wonder Lights is Michigan’s most dazzling outdoor event, and the holiday light show is perfect for the young, the old and everyone in between. It’s where you can explore a world of lights and magic. Where you can engage with the sights and sounds of the season. And where everything is illuminated.

For more information, click here.

Hey Kids!  Become a MotorCities Junior Ranger! Click here for details!