EyesOn Design Car Show is one of America’s premier automotive events. Vehicles are chosen based on the year’s theme by invitation only, and between 200 and 300 vehicles are at the show. Each year, the event attracts members of the transportation design community, collectors, and the public to celebrate and reflect on design.
What makes this auto show unique is that almost all of the judges are designers but one category of vehicles is also judged by several blind members of the DIO Visually Impaired Support groups.
As a benefit for Henry Ford Health System's Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology, EyesOn Design is a major source of funding for the DIO's research, education and support group programs for the visually impaired. The DIO is a division of the Department of Ophthalmology of the non-profit Henry Ford Health System.
Two of the judges, Gina Rowell and Nino Pacini, explained that the tactile examination is unique in that they assess the amount of detail on each vehicle, smoothness, and overall shape. They’re not judging the performance of the car or what’s under the hood, but rather the thoughtful design that is meticulously put into each vehicle. Ambassador to the group of judges was Brian Baker, Director of Collections & Education at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
The Medical Director at Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology, DR. Philip Hessburg, discussed the importance of these kinds of events in raising money for the Ophthalmology program, as well as a distinct observation on the future of motorized vehicles.
We had the honor of meeting some historically celebrated cars in Detroit and their owners:
Harold Sullivan & Woody Wadsworth with the Silver Bullet, a 1967 Plymouth Belvedere GTX, known by many as the king of Woodward street racing back in the 60's and 70's.
Greg Qualls & Greg Qualls Jr. with The Black Ghost - 426 Hemi Challenger. Originally owned by Greg's father, Godfrey Qualls, a Detroit Police Officer who was known to have won races then disappeared into the night so no one would know who he was.
And Bill Schultz with a 1969 Pontiac GTO Ram Air V. The original owner of the vehicle was Asa Wilson Jr., better known as Ace who was a street racer in the Detroit area in the 1950s. His father, Asa Wilson Sr., wanted to get his son out of street racing so he decided to buy him a Pontiac dealership. While a seemingly drastic attempt at resolve, the decision to purchase the car dealership was Asa Senior’s attempt to tap into his son’s interests. In 1970, Ace sold his Royal Racing Team to John DeLorean’s brother, George.
Our historian Rex Roy gave background information on the event and why it’s so important for the community. Richard Parks, previous Chairman of EyeOn Design, talked about the family dynamics that make this event special. With the event being on Father’s Day, it allows an opportunity for fathers to bond with their sons and daughters about the cars they once had or always wanted when they were younger.
This will make for a very special segment in the film in regards to the impact the gathering has on the visually impaired community as well as the bonds that are built between fathers and their children around cars in a space that allows those relationships to blossom.