Let’s talk about a passionate, generous man. He’s an affable, teddy bear of a man cub who just happens to own one of the most rare and expensive automobile collections in the world.
Meet Brighton Michigan’s own Ken Lingenfelter. He’s a guy with huge heart and a very large car collection. The Lingenfelter Collection totals around 250 and includes a variety of Corvettes, muscle cars, and sleek exotic sports cars. Several vehicles in the collection are among the most rare automobiles in the world, including a 1.5 million Lamborghini, a Bugatti Veyron, Enzo Ferrari, and a Lamborghini Reventón. Not your Grandpa’s automobiles. But you know what means just as much to him as this fabulous grouping of expensive cars?—CHARITY.
Lingenfelter is even generous with his time. When our WKTV Citizen Journalism team showed up we were expecting about a half an hour at the most of a guided tour and interview. Three hours later our jaw dropping experience in the 40, 000 square foot facility with the best tour guide in existence was drawing to a close. 
The collection isn’t open to the public, but: “The reason for this collection centers around charity. It’s our mission! We have hosted everything here from black tie affairs, to beer and pizza events to having the Boy Scouts host their Pine Derby event here. We have about 100 events a year,” Lingenfelter explained.
Some charities include the Ronald McDonald House, Breast Cancer research, Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, Juvenile Diabetes, Boy Scouts, youth organizations and many more.
If a charity has a sound cause Lingenfelter is there. Everything that he touches is guided by generosity. The human dynamo is always in perpetual motion raising money with private showings, tours and events while continually showcasing his infectious enthusiasm for his collection. 
While the collection currently is not open to the public, it is available for corporate and charity events, silent and live auctions, and car-club specialty showings. For more information on the collection, or to learn about availability and scheduling an event, please call (248) 486-5342 Ext. 10. Or, go to his website at www.thelingenfeltercollection.com
Two of Ken’s cars and many more will be featured during WKTV’s live production of “DreamWheels!” It all takes place outside in the old Klingman’s parking lot across from Rogers Plaza. The show goes live on Friday, August 21 from 8 to 10 p.m. and again with new cars on Saturday, August 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. There will be a crosswalk between Rogers Plaza and the old Klingman’s for easy access. Best of all – admission is free!
