EYES ON DESIGN 2009 THIS WEEKEND

EYES ON DESIGN 2009
A Father’s Day Tradition
By Steve Purdy
TheAutoChannel.com
Detroit Bureau

A Father’s Day tradition for me over the past 20 years has been the fascinating EyesOn Design car show on the beautiful, expansive lawns of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, Jefferson Avenue near 9-Mile Road in Grosse Pointe Shores on the edge of Detroit. EyesOn Design is unique as car shows go in that we see a greater variety of interesting vehicles – not all cars – than we see at any other show.

EyesOn Design was the first show to feature motorcycles, bicycles, pedal cars, race cars, hot rods, rat rods . . . on and on. You see, the show celebrates the elements of “design” specifically. So we may see anything there. That’s why I like this show.

We’re always surprised by variety of vehicles we’ll find on display at this show. It is, after all, about design, not restoration, rarity or value. We often see unrestored vehicles and odd balls along with the more pristine and recognizable ones. I especially loved the rat rods last year.

The theme for the ’09 EyesOn Design is “Automobile Advertising and Design.” Each car will have a poster-sized reproduction of the advertisements of the era. As those who pay attention to automotive art will know the ads of the past were particularly aesthetic presentations. Art Fitzpatrick, age 90, is one of the most famous of the advertising artists of the time and will be present at some of the weekend events with an original piece of art he has donated.

This year’s featured designer is Willie G. Davidson, Chief Styling Officer (among other titles) at Harley Davidson. Willie G. will receive the Lifetime Design Achievement Award, perhaps the most prestigious award in the automotive design field, as part of the weekend’s events.

Also unique to the EyesOn Design show is the charity recipient – the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology. Dr. Philip Hessburg, founder and boss at the DIO, is an “eye guy” who got together with a bunch of “car guys” to create the show 22 years ago. It has grown and developed into a premier show that supports research and services to help the visually impaired. Each year one of the featured classes is judged by a team of visually impaired folks who examine each car wearing white gloves.

Speaking of automotive art, you’ll also find a large tent full of some of the top automotive fine artists in the business.

If you’re in the area I’ll hope to see you there.

If not, sorry, you’ll be missing one of the best shows of the year.