2015.008.164

U-Matic

Press Conf #7
Fred Martin
1. Auto Show @ Cobo Hall
2. Vavoline/Indi-Cart Press Conf 3/23/89
3. CAY @ Martha Jean Queen Show 3-9-89

U-Matic tape containing Mayor Coleman A. Young's speech at the grand opening of the 1989 North American International Auto Show, footage of cars and displays at that show, a press conference in the City-County Building announcing Valvoline as the main sponsor of the 1989 Detroit Grand Prix, and footage of Mayor Young speaking to WQBH host Martha Jean "The Queen" Steinberg for her show "Inspiration Time."

The video begins with Mayor Coleman A. Young's remarks before a crowd in the lobby of Cobo Hall at the grand opening of the first North American International Auto Show. He stresses the new international nature of the event, and reminds the crowd about Detroit's proximity to the headquarters of the Big Three. After his speech the camera pans around the lobby to show a collection of world flags, and a laser light show happening overhead.

The recording then moves to the floor of the auto show. First the Pershing High School marching band performs among the displays. A long series of shots around the show's floor follow. The camera pans around the room capturing many different displays but the most prominently featured are the Chevrolet Corvette, the Dodge Spirit presented by the robot Seethru-P.O., the Dodge Shadow convertible, the Ford Saguaro concept, the Ford Aerostar minivan, the Pontiac Grand Am coupe, the Pontiac Stinger concept accompanied by dancers doing a routine, the Lincoln Ghia Continental concept, the Mercury Concept 50, the Mercury Cougar, a chamber music group performing in the Oldsmobile section, the Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais, the Ford Splash prototype demonstrated by a woman in a pink and black wetsuit, the Dodge Dakota pick-up truck emerging from Chrysler's Mt. Rushmore-shaped display, the Dodge Shelby Dakota, Chevrolet's 4-Door Compact Sport Utility Vehicle concept, Chevrolet XT-2 concept truck, the Plymouth Laser inside of a rotating tube-shaped display outfitted with an internal laser light show, the Buick Riviera, the Buick Park Avenue Essence concept, the Geo Storm, the Dodge Viper concept, the Mazda MPV minivan, the Mitsubishi Eclipse, and the Infiniti Q45. This segment of the tape ends after a brief low-angled walk past some of the European manufacturers' displays.

The second segment on the tape contains a press conference given Deputy Mayor Fred Martin on March 23, 1989 to announce Valvoline as the chief sponsor of the 1989 Detroit Grand Prix. After the announcement, Martin then passes much of the hosting duties to Detroit Renaissance President Bob McCabe.

McCabe then calls upon Detroit Renaissance Chairman Charles T. Fisher who then speaks about the race's benefits to the city, the new CART champ car format for the race, and lists previously announced sponsors. He then unveils promotional artwork for the race, which shows Al Unser Jr.'s Valvoline-sponsored car in front of the Renaissance Center.

McCabe then introduces Valvoline's Vice President of Marketing Carl Frye. He talks about Valvoline's connections to Detroit. John Caponigro, President of CART, then takes to the podium. He thanks Detroit Renaissance and Valvoline, mentions that the race's million dollar purse is a first for the organization, and explains his partnership with CBS for televised coverage.

McCabe then introduces driver Al Unser, Jr. Unser mentions his previous partnership with a Domino's Pizza-sponsored team as a Detroit connection. He also talks about the Michigan International Speedway Marlboro 500 as a contrast to the Grand Prix's street course.

After jokingly pleading that he's had enough questions about casinos, Martin opens the conference to questions from the press. Unser is asked about safety in road races, and talks about racing fans. McCabe explains plans to repair the course with concrete ahead of the race. Fry responds about Valvoline's commitment. And McCabe briefly talks about other sponsors.

In the final segment on the tape, the camera rolls in the studio of WQBH, where "Inspiration Time" host Martha Jean "The Queen" Steinberg begins her interview with Mayor Coleman A. Young on March 9, 1989. She opens by joking about wanting to marry him.

She asks him about the issue of young people and crime to get him started. He talks about the difficulties of working with the state, the lack of prison space. As a response to these two issues, he explains a plan between city and the Detroit Board of Education to build Civilian Conservation Corps inspired boot camp-like facilities with a focus on rehabilitation outside of the city. He also talks about the state's slow progress on building a prison in the northeast area of the city, and a plan to get local churches involved in adopting schools or neighborhoods. He also emphasizes the need to combat crack, and illegal guns. He cites the recent success organizing the public to prevent Devil's Night arson as a model. He then changes topics and argues against the perception that he focuses too much attention of revitalizing downtown. The tape runs out while he is still talking.

The video is on a 3M UCA-60 U-Matic tape with a handwritten 3M label on its top. The tape is housed within a latching black plastic case with a matching label on its cover.

Date

1989

Collection

Automotive: Industrial