August 14, 2017

Wayne State joins Chevrolet at the classic car show on Woodward

Wayne State Warriors can squeeze the most out of their summer on Saturday, Aug. 19, by heading to Woodward Avenue after the Baroudeur cycling fundraiser. Both events offer a uniquely Detroit experience — with just a bit more horsepower happening on Woodward.

Wayne State’s first foray into the world’s largest single-day car enthusiast event is due in part to Provost Keith Whitfield, who brought his two classic Chevrolets with him when he moved from North Carolina upon joining the university in June 2016.

“Last year, I attended the event as a spectator and sent pictures back to the body shop that had helped me restore my cars,” Whitfield says. “They told me, ‘You’re living the dream.’”

Maybe so, but Whitfield wasn’t content to simply watch cars parade by this year. He worked with colleagues to forge a partnership with General Motors to showcase three WSU-affiliated vehicles in the Birmingham triangle formed by the confluence of Woodward and Old Woodward south of Maple. Among the collection of vintage and modern Chevys will be Whitfield’s 1966 Chevrolet El Camino and his 1971 Chevrolet Suburban — painted the original Ochre color, which happens to be a close match to Warrior gold.

Also on display from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. will be the EcoCAR3, a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro that WSU students are transforming into a fully functional hybrid electric vehicle through a 16-university, four-year competition sponsored by GM and the U.S. Department of Energy. The Hybrid Warriors team working on the car is comprised of 42 undergrad and graduate engineering, communications, and business students led by Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Jerry Ku, who serves as their faculty advisor.

“Wayne State is the Motor City’s hometown university, so we’re especially excited to join in celebrating this area’s rich automotive history,” Whitfield says. “We hope that students, alumni, faculty and staff are inspired by the Chevy display, and as grateful as we are for this powerful partnership.”

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