Car Show Will Shine At Former Site Of Storied GM Plant On The River

SLEEPY HOLLOW, NY — On Saturday, the Village of Sleepy Hollow will present a special 150th anniversary car show on the footprint where a General Motors plant stood for nearly a century.

You don't have to be a car fanatic to appreciate the unique cars cars that will be on hand to celebrate automotive history that helped shape the Hudson Valley.

Over 40 classic and exotic cars, featuring a 1928 Depot Hack, made at GM and two vehicles from Glickenhaus, a model 003 and the "Boot" winner in its class of the 2019 Baja 1000 will be on display .

Sleepy Hollow's mayor will display a 1968 Chevelle (which was not made at the North Tarrytown Plant).

The cars will be on display near the Sleepy Hollow RiverWalk, a public/private partnership funded by Edge-on-Hudson, a mixed-used community built on site of the former car factory.

While classic car enthusiasts will have some trouble tearing themselves away from the festivities, there will be plenty more fun to be had, including food trucks, music and a bounce house for the kids.

The 1928 Depot Hack, a charming wood-paneled vehicle that graced the streets of Sleepy Hollow in the early 20th century will be one of the highlights of the show. Lovingly restored by Bill Lorenzen, this unique piece of automotive history is a reminder of the town's enduring connection to transportation and mobility.

Mayor Martin Rutyna expressed his enthusiasm for celebrating Sleepy Hollow's automotive legacy, emphasizing the importance of honoring the town's industrial heritage.

"A car show is a powerful way to recognize the 150th anniversary of the village when you consider that GM was the largest employer and the foundation of the local economy for almost a century," Rutyna said. "We now have a world-class RiverWalk park, where the GM plant once stood, but we will always remember the people who built and operated that plant, producing over 11,889,226 cars," he continued.

The Mayor’s sentiments resonate with many residents, who deeply appreciate the role that the automotive industry has played in shaping North Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow's identity over the years. This connection extends beyond the economic impact of the plant. During World War II, GM's Eastern Aircraft Division produced components for the Navy's Avenger airplane, transitioning the workforce to include a significant number of women, reminiscent of the iconic "Rosie the Riveter."

"I grew up in the Midwest where the auto culture is really strong," Rutyna said. "I was lucky enough when I got out of college to get a job with Ford Motor. My first job was in IT, supporting production at the historic River Rouge plant in Dearborn, Michigan, where they brought in steel and glass and out came a completed car. Working throughout the automotive industry through my whole career, I've grown a love for driving."

The mayor said owning a 1968 Chevelle is an homage to his father.

"My father owned a Chevelle in downtown Detroit and would drive up and down historic Woodward Avenue," Rutyna said explained. "We used to hear the story as kids. When this car came up for sale, my brother jumped on it for me. I drove it with my wife from Northern Wisconsin through Canada to here."

The hugger orange color is not the original, but the car proved to be a perfect match for the village.

"I never expected to live in Sleepy Hollow but when I moved here it was the perfect car," the mayor said. "It matches the street signs and it really does fit into a place where GM cars have been made since the turn of the century."

Other cars of note expected on display at the Sleepy Hollow 150th anniversary car show include:

• 1962 Thunderbird
• 1954 Chevrolet Corvette
• 1969 Z/28
• 2023 Corvette Z06
• McLaren 620R
• Lotus Evora GT
• 1999 Skyline GTR - Vspec

The last vehicle assembled at the plant was the APV minivan, which began production in 1989. In 1996, GM closed the North Tarrytown plant after almost a century of automobile manufacturing, resulting in the loss of approximately 3,458 jobs.

The car show is one of a dozen events organized by the village to commemorate its incorporation in 1874. Events are planned all year long.

• Morse School celebrates the 150th anniversary of Sleepy Hollow on the 150th day of their school year with a presentation of a giant birthday card to the mayor and singing of "Happy Birthday" to the village.
• June 8: first Sleepy Hollow Music Festival.
• July 20: the first Mermaid Festival.
• Sept. 14:a 150th parade and a block party.

The fun kicks off at 1 p.m. when the mayor will make short remarks. A trophy will be given to the best in show at 4 p.m. The rain date is May 19.

For more information about Sleepy Hollow 150th Anniversary details visit their website.