January 14, 2008
BY KIMBERLY LIFTON
FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER
As cocktail waitresses passed lobster corn dogs and mini Kobe burgers around the MGM Grand's Ignite lounge before an exclusive showing of the Detroit auto show's Luxury Row, West Bloomfield Ferrari/Maserati dealer Jeffrey Cauley contemplated what it all meant for Detroit.
"This is very cool, unique," said Cauley, who brought some of his best customers downtown for the event called the Gallery, the first-ever preview of its kind at the North American International Auto Show.
"This will leave a postitive impression about Detroit," he said.
The idea for a luxury pre-showing -- featuring a strolling dinner and cocktail party, an art walk, wine and spirits -- and, of course, high-end vehicles -- came from Detroit Auto Dealers Association Executive Director Rod Alberts. DADA wanted to create a new type of excitement for the show.
Each of the six luxury groups -- Bentley, Lamborghini, Maserati, Maybach, Ferrari and Rolls-Royce -- were asked to submit 25 names to DADA, which sent out invitations in etched glass to luxury car owners and prospective owners. Some invitations also were mailed out to American Express customers who charged more than $250,000 last year.
Classic car collector Troy Breidenach, 38, who owns a contract packaging company south of Toledo, Ohio, drove to Detroit for the day as a guest of American Express. He hadn't been to the city for awhile and said he liked what he saw at the MGM and at Cobo Center.
"I love cars, and this is fantastic," he said. "I'm really glad Detroit is host to this event. It seems like the city is coming back."
By the time doors to Ignite opened a little after 6 p.m., the guest list had grown from an anticipated 300 people to nearly 550. And event planners from Clear!Blue in Birmingham and Motivational Marketing Inc. of Southfield rushed to accommodate the overflow.
"The invitation just blew me away," said Ferrari owner Kim Woody, a Detroit-area prototype stamping auto supplier who was invited by Cauley. "I am a huge Detroit fan, and I am glad to see everything coming together here."
Raymond and Joan Antos of Orchard Lake, who purchased a Bentley convertible last month, were impressed by the event and the rebirth they saw in the City of Detroit.
"If I were 40, I'd buy a condo downtown because in 20 years, it will be turned around and will be the most dynamic city in America," said Richard Antos, a retired auto parts manufacturer.
While no national celebrities were spotted in the crowd at the MGM -- though some anticipated late arrivals -- Detroit notables such as designer Dominique Pangborn, Compuware Chief Executive Officer Peter Karmanos and former Tower Automotive Chief Executive Officer Kathleen Ligocki mixed with the out-of-town car lovers.
Meanwhile, MGM Executive Chef William McIlroy made sure the menu offered something for everyone's palate.
"This is a decadent evening," he said.
The menu included slow-roasted Kobe rib eye, shaved black winter truffles, seared foie gras with a cognac demi as well as Alaskan king crab, jumbo shrimp and scallops, mussels and lobster.
At 8 p.m., the guests started their journeys via coach to a back entrance at Cobo, where they walked through Luxury Row. Some snapped photos using cell phones. Others chatted with executives of the various companies.
Red Wings favorite Chris Chelios was in the crowd, along with Lions linebacker Paris Lenon, who was excited that he got to meet retired boxer Tommy Hearns.
Robert Porcher, retired Detroit Lions defensive end and now a partner in Seldom Blues restaurant and nightclub, already has his dream car: a 2003 Aston Martin. But he did not rule out a future purchase and enjoyed the special treatment.
"Detroit is back," he said. "I don't want to hear any more talk about Detroit coming back. Detroit is back."
BY KIMBERLY LIFTON
FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER
As cocktail waitresses passed lobster corn dogs and mini Kobe burgers around the MGM Grand's Ignite lounge before an exclusive showing of the Detroit auto show's Luxury Row, West Bloomfield Ferrari/Maserati dealer Jeffrey Cauley contemplated what it all meant for Detroit.
"This is very cool, unique," said Cauley, who brought some of his best customers downtown for the event called the Gallery, the first-ever preview of its kind at the North American International Auto Show.
"This will leave a postitive impression about Detroit," he said.
The idea for a luxury pre-showing -- featuring a strolling dinner and cocktail party, an art walk, wine and spirits -- and, of course, high-end vehicles -- came from Detroit Auto Dealers Association Executive Director Rod Alberts. DADA wanted to create a new type of excitement for the show.
Each of the six luxury groups -- Bentley, Lamborghini, Maserati, Maybach, Ferrari and Rolls-Royce -- were asked to submit 25 names to DADA, which sent out invitations in etched glass to luxury car owners and prospective owners. Some invitations also were mailed out to American Express customers who charged more than $250,000 last year.
Classic car collector Troy Breidenach, 38, who owns a contract packaging company south of Toledo, Ohio, drove to Detroit for the day as a guest of American Express. He hadn't been to the city for awhile and said he liked what he saw at the MGM and at Cobo Center.
"I love cars, and this is fantastic," he said. "I'm really glad Detroit is host to this event. It seems like the city is coming back."
By the time doors to Ignite opened a little after 6 p.m., the guest list had grown from an anticipated 300 people to nearly 550. And event planners from Clear!Blue in Birmingham and Motivational Marketing Inc. of Southfield rushed to accommodate the overflow.
"The invitation just blew me away," said Ferrari owner Kim Woody, a Detroit-area prototype stamping auto supplier who was invited by Cauley. "I am a huge Detroit fan, and I am glad to see everything coming together here."
Raymond and Joan Antos of Orchard Lake, who purchased a Bentley convertible last month, were impressed by the event and the rebirth they saw in the City of Detroit.
"If I were 40, I'd buy a condo downtown because in 20 years, it will be turned around and will be the most dynamic city in America," said Richard Antos, a retired auto parts manufacturer.
While no national celebrities were spotted in the crowd at the MGM -- though some anticipated late arrivals -- Detroit notables such as designer Dominique Pangborn, Compuware Chief Executive Officer Peter Karmanos and former Tower Automotive Chief Executive Officer Kathleen Ligocki mixed with the out-of-town car lovers.
Meanwhile, MGM Executive Chef William McIlroy made sure the menu offered something for everyone's palate.
"This is a decadent evening," he said.
The menu included slow-roasted Kobe rib eye, shaved black winter truffles, seared foie gras with a cognac demi as well as Alaskan king crab, jumbo shrimp and scallops, mussels and lobster.
At 8 p.m., the guests started their journeys via coach to a back entrance at Cobo, where they walked through Luxury Row. Some snapped photos using cell phones. Others chatted with executives of the various companies.
Red Wings favorite Chris Chelios was in the crowd, along with Lions linebacker Paris Lenon, who was excited that he got to meet retired boxer Tommy Hearns.
Robert Porcher, retired Detroit Lions defensive end and now a partner in Seldom Blues restaurant and nightclub, already has his dream car: a 2003 Aston Martin. But he did not rule out a future purchase and enjoyed the special treatment.
"Detroit is back," he said. "I don't want to hear any more talk about Detroit coming back. Detroit is back."
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