Acorn Tour Spotlights Oakland County Attractions/Autumn Beauty For Enthusiasts With Autos Manufactured Through 1953

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 19 -- Two of Michiganders' favorite autumn activities -- enjoying a leisurely drive and basking in the season's changing colors -- are highlights of the Acorn Tour, an Oakland County motoring excursion slated for Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003. The event is open to auto enthusiasts with vehicles of all makes manufactured through 1953 and is planned in partnership with Destination Oakland and MotorCities-Automobile National Heritage Area (ANHA).

This year, the Acorn Tour features three northern Oakland County stops adjoined by scenic paved routes. The tour gets rolling at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills and continues on to downtown Holly before concluding at the Paint Creek Center for the Arts in downtown Rochester.

The Acorn Tour itinerary includes:

* 8:30 - 10:15 a.m. - registration and informal tours of the Walter P. Chrysler Museum. While sampling pastries from Home Bakery in downtown Rochester, guests can stroll the museum's three stories featuring interactive displays, historical exhibits and more than 65 vehicles including many rare models bearing the Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, Jeep(R), DeSoto, Nash, Hudson, Rambler and Willys marques.

* 11:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. - a step back in time in downtown Holly. Guests can visit the members-only Detroit Railroad Club for a rare look at dozens of miniature operating locomotives, enjoy special discounts in the village's charming shops and relax over brunch at the Historic Holly Hotel.

* 3:30 - 4:45 p.m. - informal tours and a closing reception at the Paint Creek Center for the Arts. Guests can explore the "Art & Artifact" exhibit, featuring ancient artifacts from the Cranbrook Institute of Science collections alongside contemporary interpretations by students and alumni of Detroit's College for Creative Studies. Guests will receive a commemorative Acorn Tour gift during the closing reception.

Adjacent parking is available at all Acorn Tour stops and a suggested route of paved roads between destinations will be provided. The Walter P. Chrysler Museum is located at the corner of Featherstone and Squirrel Roads on DaimlerChrysler's Auburn Hills Complex. From I-75, take exit 78 (Chrysler Drive) and follow the museum signs.

Cost for the Acorn Tour is $28 per person, payable at registration by Wednesday, October 8. Pay by Visa or MasterCard (providing account owner's name, account number and expiration date) when registering by:

  *  phone at 248-944-0011;
  *  e-mail at cdb7@daimlerchrysler.com ; or

* mail addressed to: Acorn Tour, c/o Walter P. Chrysler Museum, One Chrysler Dr., CIMS 488-00-00, Auburn Hills, MI 48326 (checks and money orders, payable to the Walter P. Chrysler Museum, also accepted via mail).

Destination Oakland is a collaborative effort representing the county's business leaders, economic development officials, attractions, hotels, downtowns and chambers of commerce. The group's mission is to provide leadership in collaboration and bring resources together to create awareness of Oakland County as a distinct travel destination.

MotorCities-ANHA is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, interpreting and promoting Michigan's rich automotive and labor heritage. Created by an act of Congress in 1998, MotorCities-ANHA is one of 23 national heritage areas in the United States, encompassing 10,000 square miles of southeastern and central Michigan.