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Detroit Report: Eyes on Design Celebrates Race Cars and Motorcycles

Annual Eyes on Design Auto Show Helps Raise Millions for Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology

One of the trendier car shows in the Motor City usually doesnt concern itself with the horsepower under the hood, but there was no mistaking the smell of gasoline on the vast lawn of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate in Grosse Pointe on June 27.

This years Eyes on Design automotive exhibit focused on the emotion and character of race cars and drew together some 200 vehicles, including dragsters, motorcycles, stock cars, and Indy 500 speedsters.

The car show gets its name from the fact that it is the major fundraiser for the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology, and has raised

A red 1940 Willys Gasser, with a black 1941 Willys hot rod behind it, sits on the lawn of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford estate. (Photo: Joe Cabadas, American Auto Press)

$2.6 million for the DIO during the past 17 years.

The DIO does not seek U.S. federal government money yet it runs one of the largest support groups for the visually impaired in the country, providing help to people who suffer from a range of eye problems that cannot be treated by surgical or medical means, such as retinitis pigmentosa, the hereditary disease

The late Dale Earnhardts Chevrolet Mr. Goodwrench #3 is among the dozens of stock cars displayed at the 2004 Eyes on Design car show. (Photo: Joe Cabadas, American Auto Press)

that first causes night vision blindness before progressing to total blindness, or blindness from complications due to diabetes. The institute also trains ophthalmologist assistants and conducts research.

The judging process for the Eyes on Design show is unique, said Jeff I. Godshall, head judge, who has been with Chrysler for 40 years. Currently as DaimlerChryslers senior design manager for truck interior design, he said that the judges are all current or

American Bob Williams, owner of the Arrow Race Team, sits proudly next to the motorcycle that set the worlds record in 2003 for a 600cc motorcycle--201 mph--at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. (Photo: Joe Cabadas, American Auto Press)

former automotive designers who look at the vehicles design execution, artistic excellence, character and continuity.

"We had to add a couple more criteria to this show and recruited judges familiar with race cars," Godshall said. "We looked at the functionality of the design, the design purpose (some cars were built for specific races), and the historical significance of the vehicles. Some are the first of their genre or the last of their kind before some design criteria changed."

The show has traditionally

The cockpit of the Arrow 600cc racing motorcycle features a gas pedal that says "faster" and instructions with the handlebar steering wheel that says, "Wide open until you see God, then brake." (Photo: Joe Cabadas, American Auto Press)

been held at the historical estate of Henry Fords late son, who died in 1943. However, two years ago the show was held at DaimlerChryslers North American headquarters in Auburn Hills and last year it was at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren (both located in Michigan).

Among the participants came Bob Williams, the owner of Team Arrow Racing of Windsor, Ont., whose two-wheeler won the title of being the worlds fastest 600 cc motorcycle in August 2003, achieving a top speed of 201 miles per hour at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Williams rocket on wheels is designed to have the driver lying nearly flat on his back

This is a side view of the rocket-shaped Team Arrow vehicle that holds the worlds land speed record for a 600cc motorcycle. The hatch is open to the cockpit where the driver has to virtually lay down and peer through a periscope to see where he is going. (Photo: Cabadas, American Auto Press)

inside the front of the vehicle, with only a periscope to look out. The machines gas pedal says "faster" while the instructions on the steering bars say "Wide open until you see God, then brake."

"I was a motorcycle dealer for 25 years and Ive always been fascinated with top speed," said Williams, who is confined to a wheelchair after breaking his back while cycling. "And a streamliner is the ultimate top speed vehicle and I never thought that Id be able to do it, but its always been in the back of my mind.

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