For many, many years, historians, researchers, authors, enthusiasts from all over the world have relied on The National Automotive History Collection at the Detroit Public Library, among the most significant collections of automotive history in the U.S. But the last decade has not been kind to the collection.

The city’s bankruptcy, a water leak in the stacks, staffing issues, and a variety of other challenges seriously limit access to the NAHC, one of the library’s four “special collections” with only one staff person to manage them all. That has made it difficult for authors and other professionals, and impossible for the enthusiast public, to use the collection in person. Before it went into hibernation, though, they did a good job of digitizing important information, including many images. So, much of the material is accessible that way; but that doesn’t compare to the richness of analog research.

We recently learned that one of their big problems is about to be solved. The beautiful old Skillman Branch building – downtown across from the new Hudson’s Building – is where the NAHC resides. The architecturally-significant building is experiencing a $3-million upgrade funded through the city’s TIFA. They anticipate reopening the Skillman Branch in June ’26. Sounds a bit optimistic to me.

We still don’t know if that will mean better access to the NAHC, but we have our fingers crossed.

If any of our readers know more than I on this topic – please, let me know. As a member of the Society of Automotive Historians, I know a bunch of folks who would like to help.

JANUARY IN SCOTTSDALE

As we continue to do lectures, book signings, and other events with the MASCOTS in MOTION book we have learned that about 70% of those who buy the book are buying it as a gift for someone special. At the Detroit Book Festival, for example, a lovely, cultured, young business woman looked it over carefully and enthusiastically declared, “My boss would love this book.” When I asked to whom I should inscribe it, she revealed him as CEO of one of the OEMs.

So, be thinking about who you would like to impress with such a gift – only a hundred bucks includes a personalized inscription and shipping. If we get all the way through the holidays and no one gives you one . . . just get one for yourself. You deserve it! www.shunpikerproductions.com

MASCOTS IN MOTION BOOK

My travel department (lovely wife, Cathy) just booked a three-week visit to Scottsdale around the time of the auctions and the Arizona Concours, an elegant small Concours represented in the MASCOTS book by a half-dozen images. I’ll be looking for opportunities to promote the book: lectures, book signings, socials events that will be enhanced by this colorful, art book and its author. Vendor space at the Barrett-Jackson tent is way too costly, so look for me around the Concours and other venues; and let me know if you have a venue to suggest.

RACING FANS

• The Argettsinger Symposiums in November at Watkins Glen is hosted by the International Motor Racing Research Center, the Society of Automotive Historians, and Gran Touring Motorsports. In addition to hanging out for a couple days with all kinds of racing people talking about history, culture, and all the esoteric context around racing, you’ll also be able to attend the International Reel Wheel Film Festival nearby with historic automobile-themed films.

https://www.racingarchives.org/about-the-imrrc/argetsinger-symposium/ 

• At the American Speed Festival at the M1 Concourse you can hang out with the cars, the drivers, and the whole community of road racing folks. Think fast – it’s this coming weekend – October 3-5. The M1 Concourse is a high-end garage community with a 1.5-mile race track and beautiful event center along Woodward Avenue on the south side of Pontiac, MI. This year’s Speed Festival honors Al Unser, Jr. as “Master of Motorsport.”

https://www.m1concourse.com/american-speed-festival

GALLERY EXHIBITS

The Mascots gallery exhibit at the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum in Lansing just came down – 16 large pieces including two of the images from my earlier Art Prize display. Those dramatic, colorful, matted-and-framed images are all for sale or rent. What a great way to dress up your work space, your conference room, your parlor, or any other wall space!

And, next week we take down this year’s Art Prize display with six large, beautiful images from cemeteries, plus a handful of epitaphs, titled “Rest in Peace, the Art and Wisdom of the Grave Yard.” Those, too, will be ready for sale or rent, and represent an artful and dramatic celebration of photographic fun.