SLEEPY HOLLOW, N. Y. – On Saturday, the Village of Sleepy Hollow will host a special 150th anniversary auto show at the site of a General Motors plant for nearly a century.
You don’t have to be a car enthusiast to appreciate the exclusive cars that will be available to celebrate the history of the automobile that helped shape the Hudson Valley.
More than 40 stylish and exotic cars will be on display, a GM-made 1928 Depot Hack and two Glickenhaus vehicles, a 003 style and the elegance-winning “Boot” from the 2019 Baja 1000.
The mayor of Sleepy Hollow will show off a 1968 Chevelle (which was not made at the North Tarrytown plant).
The cars will be on display near the Sleepy Hollow RiverWalk, a public-private partnership funded through Edge-on-Hudson, a mixed-use network built on the former auto plant.
While vintage car enthusiasts will find it hard to get away from the festivities, plenty of other entertainment will be offered, including food trucks, music, and an inflatable space for the kids.
The 1928 Depot Hack, a captivating wood-paneled vehicle that graced the streets of Sleepy Hollow in the early 20th century, will be one of the highlights of the exhibition. Lovingly restored by Bill Lorenzen, this piece of automotive history is a reminder of the city’s enduring connection to shipping and mobility.
Mayor Martin Rutyna expressed his excitement about celebrating Sleepy Hollow’s automotive heritage and stressed the importance of honoring the city’s business heritage.
“A car show is a hard way to recognize the village’s 150th anniversary when you consider that GM has been the largest employer and the foundation of the local economy for nearly a century,” Rutyna said. “We now have a world-class RiverWalk park, where the GM plant once stood, but we won’t forget the other people who built and operated this plant, generating more than 11,889,226 cars,” he continued.
The mayor’s sentiments resonate with many residents, who deeply appreciate the role the auto industry has played in shaping the identity of North Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow over the years. This link extends beyond the plant’s economic impact. During World War II, GM’s Eastern Aircraft department produced parts for the Navy’s Avenger aircraft, which evolved the workforce to include a significant number of women, reminiscent of the iconic “Rosie the Riveter. “
“I grew up in the Midwest, where car culture is very strong,” Rutyna said. “I was lucky, when I left university, to find a job at Ford Motor. My first assignment was in IT, supporting production at the historic River Rouge Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, where they brought in metal and glass. Automobile finishes. Working in the automotive industry, I developed a fondness for driving.
The mayor said owning a 1968 Chevelle was a tribute to his father.
“My father owned a Chevelle in downtown Detroit and drove down historic Woodward Avenue,” Rutyna explained. “We heard this story when we were kids. When it came up for sale, my brother got on it for me. I drove it with my wife from northern Wisconsin through Canada to here. “
The orange color of the hug is not the original, but the car turned out to be the best match for the people.
“I never imagined living in Sleepy Hollow, but when I moved here, it was the best car,” the mayor said. “It matches the symptoms of the road and suits a position where GM cars have been made since the turn of the century. “”.
Other notables expected at the Sleepy Hollow 150th Anniversary Auto Show include:
The last vehicle assembled at the plant was the APV minivan, which began production in 1989. In 1996, GM closed the North Tarrytown plant after nearly a century of auto manufacturing, resulting in the loss of some 3,458 jobs.
The Motor Show is one of twelve events organized in the town to commemorate its incorporation in 1874. Events are planned throughout the year.
The party begins at 1 p. m. , when the mayor will make a few words. At four in the afternoon the trophy will be presented to those attending the exhibition. The rainy date is May 19.
For more details on Sleepy Hollow’s 150th anniversary details, visit their website.
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