‘It’s just a big ego trip,? said Alan Majewski with a chuckle.
You’ve got to give the 54-year-old Oxford resident points for honesty.
That was his reply when asked why he’ll be showing his 1956 Chevrolet 210 Delray Sedan at the Cobo Center March 6-8 as part of the 63rd Annual Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama.
This isn’t Majewski’s first rodeo.
He previously showed his black-and-white vintage vehicle at Autorama in 2004 and 2006. Those appearances earned him first and second place trophies in the Pre-1972 Class.
Majewski’s hoping for another trophy this year.
‘I’m optimistic,? he said. ‘I’ll leave it at that.?
Majewski’s vehicle is sponsored by Steve’s Oxford Automotive, which is located at 48 N. Washington St.
He’s owned the classic car for 25 years.
Originally, Majewski, bought it for $300 with the intention of using its parts to rebuild another car.
One thing led to another and he ended up restoring the Delray. He estimated he’s put about $100,000 into it over the years.
‘I’ve always loved the ?55 to ?57 Chevys,? Majewski said. ‘The ?56 is kind of that stepchild. Everybody loves ?55s or ?57s. I always kind of took a shine to the ?56.?
As an automotive designer for Toyoda Gosei, Majewski was drawn to the Delray’s unique lines. Unlike today’s cars, which all have ‘sharp lines,? the 1956 Delray possesses features he appreciates such as rounded fenders.
‘I honestly wish I would have been alive to see stuff like that in a showroom,? Majewski said. ‘I’ve loved cars as far back as I can remember.?
Majewski is definitely not one of those guys who only brings his classic car out for shows, nostalgia cruises and the odd drive on a cloudless, sunny day.
He uses the Delray’s monster 555 cubic-inch engine for drag racing.
‘It’s unique because drag cars are usually not that nice (looking),? said Majewski, who’s been racing since the age of 16.
Majewski races his Delray at various venues including the Lapeer Dragway, the Milan Dragway and Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. He’ll kick off this year’s racing season on Memorial Day weekend at the Mid Michigan Motorplex in Stanton.
‘We get it out at least once a month (during the season),? Majewski said. ‘We’ve won some trophies and won a few races. It’s more of a family-outing than anything. I got involved with racing because of the speed, but it really, over the years, has evolved into a big, family deal.?
Majewski noted the first time he watched his son, Ryan, drive the Delray was ‘pretty emotional.?
The Delray’s best time and top speed occurred at Summit Motorsports Park last June.
The Delray went a quarter mile in 9.67 seconds and reached 135 miles per hour without the aid of nitrous oxide, a gas commonly used to increase the power output of engines.
Last year, he began participating in a new drag racing series for production-based cars called the No Box Challenge.
‘We go to different tracks throughout the year and collect points,? Majewski said. ‘This year, they have like 35 cars so far. (It involves) a lot of guys that have been doing this for a lot of years. It really is kind of a family thing. Everybody knows everybody’s kids. We usually go for the weekend, so we spend the night at the track and have bonfires and a couple of barley pops. This is an old school thing. We’re in it for fun.?
Unlike some gearheads who are constantly buying, selling and swapping cars, Majewski has no interest in letting go of his Delray.
‘I’ve had a bunch of other cars. I like the old Mopars and I’ve had several (of them) while I’ve had this (car), but this is the one that’s always stuck around,? he said. ‘I’ve threatened to (get rid of it) several times just because you get frustrated, but my son and my sister, they’ve always said it’s bigger than you now.?
‘My son has plans for it, but I told him he doesn’t get it until I’m dead,? Majewski noted.
Autorama hours are noon to 10 p.m. Friday, March 6; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 7; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 8.
Admission at the gate is $19 for adults and $6 for children age 6-12. Children 5 and under are free. Discount tickets are available at O’Reilly Auto Parts.
For more information, please visit www.autorama.com or call (248) 373-1700.