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 doesn't 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.
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| 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, Canadian Auto Press) |
This year's 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 $2.6 million USD for the DIO during the past 17 years.
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| The late Dale Earnhardt's Chevrolet Mr. Goodwrench #3 is among the dozens of stock cars displayed at the 2004 Eyes on Design car show. (Photo: Joe Cabadas, Canadian Auto Press) |
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 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 DaimlerChrysler's senior design manager for truck interior design, he said that the judges are all current or former automotive designers who look at the vehicles' design execution, artistic excellence, character and continuity.