2023 Eyes on Design Weekend Celebrates Cars Past, Present, Future

Eyes on Design is a juried classic car show that is meant to be enjoyed by everyone, even those without sight. A charity fundraiser for the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology, the event has been held each year on Father’s Day, and visually challenged car lovers wearing white gloves are guided through the scenic grounds of the Edsel Ford Estate on Lake St. Clair near Detroit to feel the flowing sheetmetal.

The event has grown into a full weekend, starting with a gala dinner Friday night that celebrated Ralph Gilles, chief design officer for Stellantis North America, with a Lifetime Achievement Award. On Saturday morning, General Motors hosted a Corvette racing symposium inside its Design Dome in Warren, Michigan, followed by a Viper design symposium hosted Saturday afternoon by Stellantis in Auburn Hills.

The car show, which drew hundreds of visitors on a beautiful Sunday morning and afternoon, was judged by 64 automotive design experts, including Gilles, GM Design VP Michael Simcoe, Chrysler's Tom Gale, Lincoln Global Design Director Kemal Curic, Toyota's Kevin Hunter, Ken Lingenfelter, Camilo Pardo, Paul Snyder from the College for Creative Studies, and Nissan's David Woodhouse.

On loan from the Auburn-Cord Duesenberg Museum in Indiana, this Blue Ribbon winning Cord belonged to Frank Lloyd Wright.

On loan from the Auburn-Cord Duesenberg Museum in Indiana, this Blue Ribbon winning Cord belonged to Frank Lloyd Wright.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing.

1961 Maserati Vignale Spyder.

This 1953 Chrysler Special by Ghia resides in the Stellantis classic car collection.

This 1953 Chrysler Special by Ghia resides in the Stellantis classic car collection.

1953 Oldsmobile Fiesta.

This Blue Ribbon winner, a 1966 Jaguar E-Type, belongs to retired designer Dave Rand, now an Autoweek columnist.

A 1970 Lancia Bertone Stratos Zero Concept, next to the 1960 Chevrolet Pininfarina Corvair Concept, both belonging to Phillip Sarofim of Santa Barbara.

A special way to get in and out of the 1970 Lancia Bertone Stratos Zero Concept.

Ralph Gilles, chief design officer for Stellantis North America, accepts the Eyes on Design Lifetime Achievement Award at Friday's gala.

Ralph Gilles, chief design officer for Stellantis North America, accepts the Eyes on Design Lifetime Achievement Award at Friday's gala, with his team joining him on stage, along with GM's Ed Welburn and his Chrysler mentor, Tom Gale.

1953 Cadillac Eldorado.

1961 Ford Thunderbird.

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T, to the left of a 1968 AMC Javelin SSt.

1936 Stout Scarab, a show favorite.

Truly artistic treatment of the 1936 Stout Scarab from the rear.

1961 Chrysler 300 G.

1949 Hudson Commodore 8.

This 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt comes from the Stellantis collection.

This 1941 Chrysler Thunderbolt comes from the Stellantis collection.

1956 Porsche 356 Speedster.

This 1937 Cord 812 S/C Phaeton took second place in its class.

This 1959 Plymouth Sport Fury was designed by Bill Robinson, who went on to teach top-level designers working in the industry today.

1959 Hudson Italia.

1935 Chrysler Airflow C-2 Imperial Coupe on loan from the Audrain Automobile Museum in Rhode Island.

1936 Chrysler C-9 Airflow.

A rare Ruxton, assembled in New York.

1935 Cadillac V16 Stationary Coupe.

Hood ornament on 1935 Cadillac V16 Stationary Coupe.

This 1949 Packard Custom resides at the Packard Proving Grounds near Utica, Michigan.

1901 Locomobile Style 2.

Way ahead of its time, the 1925 Model 95-B Brougham from the Detroit Electric Car Co.

1909 Buick Model G Roadster.

General Motors’ 1954 Firebird 1 was America’s first car powered by a gas turbine engine.

GM’s 1959 Firebird III.

The 1959 Cadillac Cyclone concept was the last “dream car” created during Harley Earl’s tenure as GM's chief designer.

GM’s turbine-powered 1956 Firebird II.

Cadillac’s upcoming Celestiq EV strikes an imposing figure.

Dodge Charger Daytona SRT EV concept.

Lincoln’s 2022 Star Concept SUV.

2024 Ram REV Concept is headed to production.

Buick Wildcat EV concept is sharing some of its styling cues with production Buicks.

Buick Wildcat EV concept is sharing some of its styling cues with production Buicks.