Automotive Tourism

Automotive Manufacturing & Production, August, 2000 by Gary S. Vasilash

The proverbial "busman's holiday" refers to taking a break yet participating, in some small way, in one's vocational interest: the bus driver taking a trip via bus.

An analog would be someone in this industry taking a road trip that takes in locales such as Dearborn, Michigan, the place Henry Ford put on the map and which continues as the headquarters for the global automaker that carries that surname.

Dearborn is the site of the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, two venerable collections of Americana (e.g., the former has a magnificent collection of motor vehicles--not all of which are Ford products--and the latter has buildings ranging from one of Edison's labs to the Wright Brothers' bicycle shop--and, yes, a Ford factory). Those of us who live in the area tend to take them for granted, which is a huge mistake bred of familiarity.

What is undoubtedly unfamiliar to many--locals included--is located directly across Village Road from those other two attractions. Opened last fall, it is called "Spirit of Ford."

It is hard to precisely define just what it is. It is one part hands-on museum, one part amusement park, one part audio-visual celebration of the auto industry. You can do everything from working on clay models to designing on a computer screen, from being a member of Dale Jarrett's pit crew to riding in a full-motion simulator that will rattle your fillings.

Through the summer they are running a special exhibit, "Summer of Racing," which includes an array of cars, from F1 to top-fuel dragsters. Speed thrills.

Although the Sprit of Ford is a bit heavy on the blue oval, it is truly worth checking out if you happen to be in the area. You can learn more about it by checking out its website at www.spiritofford.com