Show Review: EyesOn Design 2014

The EyesOn Design show is an annual exhibition that celebrates automotive design excellence of the past, present and future. Held at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores, MI, proceeds from the event help provide financial support for aid to the visually impaired through the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology.

EyesOn Design is a celebration of automotive design; a craft that leaves an indelible imprint on the world around us, and one that was explored across a host of exhibition categories at this year's event – most notably with cars from the movies and TV shows.

The centerpiece of this collection was the Monkeemobile, one of two cars built for The Monkees TV show by car customizer Dean Jeffries, and this particular version being restored by Jeffries' great rival, George Barris.

While the car is based on a Pontiac GTO, the real inspiration comes from the free-spirited nature of the TV show. It is part dragster, part sports car and part rag top -- with an amazing attention to detail throughout.

It was noticeable that the fifty-something-aged show-goers could not help but break into the first few bars of the theme song, to the embarrassment of their teenage children.

Other classics in this group included Herbie, the A-Team van, the Starsky and Hutch Torino, and of course, the iconic Bullitt Mustang.

Continuing with the popular culture theme, both the Mustang and the GTO received top billing -- in part because both marques were launched fifty years ago this year. In the case of the Mustang, the entire history of the brand was chronicled, even including the much-maligned Pinto-based models.

Frankly, it was refreshing to see the energy-crisis era acknowledged, if for no other reason than to provide a complete picture of the nameplate's evolution. The clean and timeless look of the Mustangs from the '80s was striking, too, drawing attention to the fact that these designs do not get the attention they deserve; they certainly laid the foundation for the brand's return to prominence in the 1990s.

Another American nameplate explored in great detail was Indian. For most of us, the Indian look is defined by the iconic Chief of the late '40s, but this classic bike represents just one facet of the brand's history. Military bikes, cruisers, and pre-war models were present; a line-up that was a veritable treasure trove for those who appreciate chrome and mechanical details.

Although some may have found it a little cheesy, the Personal Luxury Coupe category was one that definitely merited recognition. These cars were staples of the 1970s American market, and were notable for their special trim packages.

The Bill Blass Lincoln Continental was a prime example with its nautical, blue and white two-tone theme. Unfortunately, the one car that defined the segment, the Chrysler Cordoba, was not present. A Cordoba derivative, the Dodge Charger Daytona, boasted an ambitious tri-color paint scheme -- but still could not escape the ghost of "soft Corinthian leather."

In the midst of all this Americana was a small corral of Maseratis, looking a little lonely. Similarly, a collection of Japanese tuners showed a performance philosophy worlds away from the GTOs and Mustangs. But while they did look a little out of place, the overseas marques did provide a sort of cultural counterpoint, and an extra dimension to this celebration of automotive design.

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By Jason White