EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITIES FOR AUTHENTIC ‘TIME TRAVEL’
The Gilmore Pre-1942 Showcase Car Show and Swap Meet
Saturday May 18th
Hickory Corners, MI –
The Gilmore Pre-1942 Showcase Car Show and Swap Meet on Saturday May 18th is not your “typical” car event. It’s actually authentic “time travel” back to the early days of motoring. Here you’ll see vehicles produced during the first 50 years of the automobile in motion as they drive around the Museum’s historic campus.
Witness an 1886 Benz—considered the world’s first gasoline powered car—started and driven by a Bertha Benz reenactor. Marvel at electric- and steam-powered cars from the turn of the last century. Learn discover the process of crank-starting a car, cheer on the faster vehicle in the “Gilmore Cup” race between a 1902 Curved Dash Oldsmobile and a High Wheel Motor Wagon and participate in free vintage-style carnival games complete with prizes. 
1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen
Participate in free vintage-style carnival games complete with prizes. Come and join the adventure by helping to support our Dough Boys returning home from WWI and a women's right to vote march, both of which took place 100 years ago.
This event provides an immersive experience into milestones of history and the role the automobile played in it—from the dawn of the horseless carriage to the Roaring 20s, the gangster era of the 30s, and the start of WWII.
Rather than just viewing cars parked in a show field, this event actually presents “authentic time travel”: stock, original vehicles participating and driving the historic campus, with cars coming from as far away as the state of Washington. This year we also welcome a very rare gathering of the remarkable 1909 - 1925 Cole Motor Cars—the largest such reunion in history.
Fun for the entire family takes place at this event on Saturday, May 18th with activities taking place throughout the day! In fact, you can come for FREE just by showing your membership card from these area attractions: the Air Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kellogg Bird Sanctuary or Kellogg Manor House! During the month of May, the Gilmore Car Museum takes part in the Southwest Michigan Cultural Membership Exchange where our membership is valid at 6 attractions.
The Gilmore Car Museum—North America’s Largest Auto Museum—is located midway between Chicago and Detroit. In addition to our nearly 400 vehicles, many housed in historic buildings and re-created automobile dealerships, our 90-acre campus includes a vintage gasoline station and authentic 1941 Blue Moon Diner that serves lunch daily.
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