Story of the Week

Remembering the History of Cragar Wheels

by Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher

For many decades, auto enthusiasts who were a part of the hot rod community would use Cragar wheels as part of their custom cars. This particular brand of wheels also became very popular during the early days of auto racing.

Some automotive historians have called the 1950s the era when expressing your vision with your vehicle became all the rage. As an American teenager during the 1950s and 1960s, custom cars were very well-represented with Cragar wheels.

The Cragar Corporation was established in 1933 by Crane Gartz. The Cragar name comes from the first three letters in his first and last names. Later, Gartz sold the company to George Wight. Later in 1955, Roy Richter of the Bell Auto Parts Co. purchased Cragar and the business became known as the Cragar Equipment Company.

To learn more about this company and its history, click below.

This Week's Story
    
Happy Michigan Auto Heritage Day & 25th Anniversary Gala Night!

Today is the day! MotorCities' 25th Anniversary Gala event also marks the 10th annual observance of Michigan Auto Heritage Day at the Ford House Visitors Center.

The Gala program features past signature Michigan Auto Heritage Day highlights, including special recognition from Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature, as well as the announcement of the winners of our annual Awards of Excellence.

The finalists for our special 25th Anniversary Awards of Excellence are the following:

In the Heritage Tourism category, the finalists are:

 - Lloyd & Judy Ganton, the operators of Ye Ole Carriage Shop in Spring Arbor;
 - Russell Brothers City Tours for their interactive tours of Detroit;
 - and Wheelhouse Detroit for their Detroit Auto Heritage Bicycle Tour.

In the Interpretation/Education category, the finalists are:

 - The Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn for their Achievement series of exhibits about African Americans in the automotive industry.
 - Russ Dore’ of Dore’ Productions in Northville for his interactive historical presentations that bring early automotive pioneers to life;
 - and the Historical Society of Greater Lansing for the I-496 Pave the Way Project.

In the Revitalization category, the finalists are:

 - The Ford Piquette Plant Museum in Detroit for their first floor restoration;
 - M1 Concourse in Pontiac for their work transforming a former General Motors industrial site into a road racing course and event space for auto enthusiasts;
 - and the Packard Proving Grounds in Shelby Township for their work preserving the site.      
 
Visit Detroit is the Presenting Sponsor for the Gala. General Motors is a Founding Partner/Award of Excellence Sponsor. The UAW International Union is our Michigan Auto Heritage Day Sponsor. Ford House is an Award of Excellence Sponsor. Supporting Sponsors include Albert Kahn Associates, Choose Lansing, Destination Ann Arbor, and The Henry Ford. Event Sponsors include Doeren Mayhew, Don Nicholson Enterprises, Gilmore Car Museum, Grigg Graphics, and Project Arts and Ideas.

This Week in Auto Heritage

On November 10, 1903, a Birmingham, Alabama woman named Mary Anderson received a U.S. patent for a “window cleaning device for electric cars and other vehicles to remove snow, ice or sleet from the window.”

Anderson's inspiration was drawn from a visit to New York City. She was riding in a streetcar on a freezing, wet winter day and noticed that the driver could not see through his icy windshield.

Anderson began to sketch her concept for a windshield wiper right on the spot. After a number of attempts, she came up with a working prototype featuring a set of arms made of wood and rubber attached to a lever near the steering wheel on the driver's side. When the driver pulled the lever, the spring-loaded arm ran across the window and back, clearing away moisture or other debris.

Naysayers rejected Anderson’s invention, claiming the wipers’ movement could impair the driver's vision and cause accidents.

After receiving the patent, Anderson tried to sell it to a Canadian company, but they refused, Though mechanical windshield wipers became standard equipment in cars by around 1913, Anderson never profited from the invention.

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Events Coming to the MotorCities

Saturday: Two Macomb County Attractions Observe Veterans Day

This Saturday, two of our Macomb County attraction partners are hosting special events to salute our nation's veterans on the holiday.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Stahls Automotive Collection in Chesterfield Twp. hosts its 9th annual Veterans Day Open House. Participate in Stahl's "Thank You" by adding a note to veterans. There will be historic military footage along with Bob Hope USO Tour footage. Enjoy the museum's collection of Brass Age, Depression Era, Pre-War, and Post-War Vehicles -- over 100 vehicles from all different manufacturers including new additions to the museum's collection.

For more information, click here.

At 2 p.m., the Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society presents A Salute to Our Veterans, a special Veterans Day program meant to honor those who served our country. It will include a Color Guard, the National Anthem, and an Invocation. The event also includes a presentation by Jerry Van De Vyver, and light refreshments will be served.

For more information, click their website here.