Tucked amongst a row of nondescript manufacturing buildings along Park Drive in Traverse City is a sparkling facility for car lovers and their prized possessions.
Car enthusiast couple Mike and Dawn Fisher have turned the enormous former home of Northern Stainless Fabricating, which Mike?s family owned since 1984, into a car aficionado's paradise.
MFD Classic Motors caters to the racing and collector car community and is breathing new life into a space that had seen better days.
A few years ago, discouraged by the ?cheapening? of their craft, a decision was made to get out, perhaps sell. Instead, the Fishers transformed the space, and now bring a match made in heaven to their new business: a longtime passion for cars, speed (?she?s a speed freak,? Mike says of Dawn) and the culture of the collector community.
?We decided to create a car club atmosphere here,? Mike says. MFD started leasing space last fall to people in need of homes for their cars. Some of the space will be temporarily taken over by Porsches when the 58th Annual Porsche Parade comes to the Grand Traverse Resort in June.
Along with premium automobile storage, owners have access to a ?day bay? area for regular maintenance and minor repairs. For more extensive projects, Hammer and Dolly Auto Restorations has set up shop in one corner of the facility.
?We saw a need. Build it, and they will come,? says Mike, a one time president and chair of the Audi Racing Club.
As for the collection of cars under the roof now: ?It?s kind of a museum type of atmosphere,? says Dawn. ?We go for odd-ball, unique cars.? One recent acquisition is a 1925 Model T truck that was a taxi in Mexico City. Another one of their cars ? a 1948 Allard M-Coupe ? is one of just three in the world. ?But we didn?t know that when we bought it,? Dawn adds.
Other vehicles include: a Studebaker Avanti (4th one built), an Avanti Coupe, a 1952 Glasspar (one of 33 built by the Glasspar Boat Co.) and a 1959 Bocar, which broke the speed record on Daytona Beach in 1961 going 175 m.p.h.
In addition to storage services, MFD will host car club outings ? the local Twin Bay British Car Club recently held a gathering there ? driving events and schools, and participate in track events, such as the US Audi Michigan Drivers School April 26-28 at the Grattan Raceway outside of Grand Rapids.
MFD is also part of the Collectors Foundation, a philanthropic movement that supports young people?s interest in collector car and boat hobbies. As part of the program, students in TBAISD Career-Tech?s automotive program come weekly to MFD to work on restoring an Avanti.
Want to see some of these vintage cars inside MFD? Get an exclusive peek at The Ticker?s April Recess, a post-work casual mixer for the business community. Join us Wed., Apr. 3, 5-7 p.m. for a tour. Food provided by Amical, Sorellina and Harrington?s By The Bay, beverages and prize drawings ? including a chance to get on the track at Gratton Speedway and a interior/exterior car detailing package. $5 admission.
Source: http://www.theticker.tc/story/a-hidden-automotive-gem
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