Tour Detroit from a Ford Model A

A variety of tours offer different ways to see Detroit and learn about its history—whether on an architectural walking tour, a bus tour, history-specific tours, or on bike. Now, a new tour group offers history as a literal vehicle to see the city.

Highland Park-based Antique Touring is launching a new kind of tour for the Motor City. Tour participants can expect to learn about the city’s automotive history in specific locations and on the road. In a 1930 Model A Phaeton, the tour starts at the Piquette Avenue Ford Plant and rides to Belle Isle, with information about the Packard Plant, the former Fisher Body site, and Milwaukee Junction along the way. Soon, they hope to add a tour of the historic Boston-Edison neighborhood.

Space is limited to just four passengers per tour, and tickets run $65.

Antique Touring founder Lisa Stolarski bought the car earlier this year and the paint and engine are original. Some recent upgrades include brighter headlights, turn signals, and brake lights.

“I live in Highland Park and want to create a social enterprise that will benefit our community so I looked to the old Ford Building on Woodward Avenue for inspiration,” said Stolarski. “Henry Ford raised the expectations of the American working class and contributed tremendously to the concept of the American Dream. Today we want to be among those helping to restore the American Dream in Highland Park.”

Tours will run through November.