Wisconsin Stories: Car Show

Wisconsin has a rich automotive history that doesn't get a whole lot of attention. "Car Show" an edition of Wisconsin Stories on Wisconsin Public Television (WPT), seeks to remedy that oversight. "Car Show" has three parts: Build 'Em, Drive 'Em and Race 'Em.

Build 'Em visits Kenosha, where the Kenosha History Center is preparing a Rambler exhibit to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Jeffreys Car Company, which became Nash Motors and then American Motors.

Then a 1917 sales film from the Mitchell Motor Company of Racine provides a thrilling look at the early days of motoring.

The Drive 'Em story focuses on the Yellowstone Trail. John and Alice Ridge describe the trail, which ran through Wisconsin on its journey from the East Coast to the Pacific Ocean, with a stop along the way at Yellowstone Park. It was one of four major trails that were commercial attempts to provide people with cross-country auto routes.

The final story, Race 'Em, starts with The Milwaukee Mile, the oldest continuous operating automobile racetrack in the country.

Wisconsin was also the birthplace of Harry Miller, the brilliant automotive designer who produced 11 Indianapolis 500 winners. Viewers experience several of his classic cars at a Vintage Indy Cars event, pretty much a Harry Millier reunion, held at The Milwaukee Mile.