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Private MotorCities National Heritage Area Antique Car Tour

Private MotorCities National Heritage Area Antique Car Tour

Overview

Bring up to four along on tour in our 1930 Phaeton (open car) to hear the uncommon tales of the people who build Detroit's automobile industry. Ordinary folks with extraordinary “can do” spirit turned Detroit into the Motor City. On tour we remember as many as we can, those who to this day are household names and those whose stars have faded into time.

City: Detroit

Tue 24 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $392.00

Make a reservation

Tue 24 Dec

Starting at $392.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Private transportation

Ride in a 90 year old Model A Ford

We have a water cooler so you can fill your bottle with cold water on hot days.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children who are both under 8 and under 4 feet 9 inches tall cannot be accommodated by Antique Touring Company due to child seatbelt laws.
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
We follow the protocol set by the State of Michigan as to whether or not masks are advised.

What To Expect

Ford Plant

The Antique Touring Company garage is in Milwaukee Junction, a small industrial district of Detroit that became the incubator of the automobile industry in the first decade of the 20th Century. Specifically, we are in the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, now a museum dedicated to preserving the first Factory built by the Ford Motor Company, in 1904. In those days Henry Ford was not the only Tinkerer on the block. Meet us at 461 Piquette Avenue and we will take you around the neighborhood to see where it all began, and in many cases where it also ended, for automobile companies such as Studebaker, Ford, EMF, Regal, Nash, Detroit Electric, Brush and Packard, as well for suppliers such as Murray, Briggs and Fisher. The neighborhood looks a little rough these days, but Milwaukee Junction is must-not-miss sacred ground of American automobile heritage. A National Historic Landmark, the Highland Park Plant is where the Ford Motor Company built the first fully automated assembly line. The assembly line was a game changer in automobile production, allowing Ford to manufacture cars so efficiently that they could be priced low enough that working class people could afford them. Besides the assembly line, in Highland Park we will also discuss some of Ford's social experimentation, as well as the critical role of the automobile industry in World War I.

Boston Edison Historic District

When the Milwaukee Junction tinkers became titans of the auto industry, many of them, and their white collar colleagues, built homes in the Boston Edison neighborhood of Detroit. On the way back from Highland Park we drive through Boston Edison to see some grand mansions that the automobile titans build in the years before World War I.

The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant

Hear about the start of Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford's third attempt at automobile manufacturing. Also the history of automobile companies in the neighborhood including Studebaker who bought the Piquette Plant from Ford in 1911.

Packard Automotive Plant

Hear the story of why the Packard brothers moved their company from Ohio to Detroit and what made the Packard Plant and Brand special. Plus what ultimately led to the downfall of the company.

Russell Industrial Center

Hear the stories of Murray Body and Anderson Electric Automobile Companies.

Fisher Building

The Fisher Building, designed for Fisher Body and General Motors, is considered to be Albert Kahn's greatest architectural accomplishment.

Show 3 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (49)

Tdorle

Sep 2019

This is a “must do” on your Detroit visit. I had a surreal tour in a 1930 Ford convertible driving through history experiencing the places that curved today’s transportation. Although I was approached for an autograph, prepare to feel famous as others smile, wave, beep their horns, take photos of you and even start up conversations. During the tour, I was absorbed in facts about the innovation of gas, steam and electric cars through the lives of those creating the birth of Ford, Dodge, Cadillac, Lincoln, Studebaker, Oldsmobile plus other makes; including the rise and fall of makes you most likely never heard. I learned about the friendships and fall of relationships of those who inspired today’s transportation; and the effects of war. Whether a history buff, a vintage car lover or if you just want to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride, you’ll love this tour.

Response from Host

Sep 2019

Thanks for your review Tami! We appreciate it.

lmfhw

Sep 2019

Very well narrated throughout the whole tour. Interesting information presented in a conversational manner. Tour guide gave the whole experience a very personal touch.

Response from Host

Sep 2019

Thanks for your review lmfhw! We appreciate it.

Michael S

Sep 2019

I was visiting Detroit on business and I found the time to stay an extra day. At 9:30 I started this tour - 3 of us with the driver/guide. She drove us around Highland Park and showed us the factories where Detroit and the American auto industry started. Some were abandoned and some were converted to other uses. You can stand were the auto pioneers made their first cars. Delightful tour and it was fun ahoogaing to the pedestrians The jump off for the tour is in the same location as the Piquette building, Ford's first factory. It has the finest collection of Model T's anywhere, so after your morning tour you can spend 1.5 hours seeing really fine, collectable Model T's, or go early before you afternoon tour. Museum opens at 10 AM and is $12.

Response from Host

Sep 2019

Thanks for your review Michael! We appreciate it!