As in past celebrations, the 11th Annual 28th Street Metro Cruise, will be attracting car lovers from around the country on Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22. For WKTV Community Television and Media the tradition continues to host the only red carpet classic car show in the country on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. The two-hour live productions have a new name, “DreamWheels!”
You’re invited to be a part of the live audience on Friday from 8 to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. as one-of-a-kind vehicles and their proud owners grace the red carpet! Hosting the shows are David Knisley from SPEED Television and Kim Carson from WLAV FM and WZZM’s “Take 5.”
Here’s a taste of just some of the classic cars you’re going to see live at “DreamWheels.”
This 1936 14th Senior Series 1401 Packard Eight – 913 Touring Sedan has been owned by Richard and Leanne Zapala of Haslett, MI since July of 2011. The couple nicknamed the classic car “Big Al” after Chicago’s notorious gangster.
Retaining its original colors of a black body and tan interior, this five passenger beauty is also rumored (but not confirmed) to have belonged to actress Bette Davis but sold in an estate sale.
What is true is that Packard Motor Company skipped the automobile’s 13th Series due to superstition. As a result, the 1935 model was the 12th Series and 1936 model became the 14th Series.
Now here’s a classic car you’ve probably never heard of – a 1950 Muntz Jet! And here’s why:
In 1949, a man known for his design and construction of Indy 500 race cars, Frank Kurtis, began to produce a two-passenger sports car called the Kurtis Sports car. Unfortunately it wasn’t a commercial success so only 16 were made.
In 1950 Earl “Madman” Muntz purchased the rights and the tooling for the Kurtis Sports Car and proceeded to make changes to the care like increasing the wheelbase to accommodate two more passengers. More changes were applied to the Kurtis, (and you’ll hear about them during the show), and it became known as the Muntz Jet.
David Hans of Barrington, Illinois paid $60 for the vehicle back in 1964 after responding to a classified ad in the Chicago Tribune. Soon after studying the title, he realized he owned the second Muntz ever made!
See these cars and many more 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!
