Tag Archives: Dream Wheels

92-year-old Kentwood resident shares his love of Metro Cruise

Father and daughter, Gene Billings and Cathe DeLaney, pose in front of dad’s prized possession, a souped up 2011 Chevy Silverado. (WKTV)



By D.A. Reed, WKTV Contributing Writer

“Just hold on.”

That was the directive 92-year-old Kentwood resident, Gene Billings, gave this WKTV writer as his daughter, Cathe DeLaney, led the way to his 2011 Silverado truck, keys dangling from her fingertips.


It proved to be sound advice as the speedometer of the Silverado climbed rapidly under DeLaney’s guidance.

An attendee of almost every 28th Street Metro Cruise, and with the t-shirts to prove it, Billings is no stranger to speed and high-performance vehicles. His love of Metro Cruise shows in his dedication to attending the popular event each year.

Though Billings’ Silverado isn’t a “Classic Car” like most featured in the Cruise, it can outrun many of those acclaimed classics.

“It dynoed at 498 at the wheels, faster than most Corvettes,” Delaney said. “He’s (Billings) about to run out of things he can do to up its performance.”

Where the cars are the stars

The Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its 17th Annual 28th Street Metro Cruise event on August 26 and 27 at Rogers Plaza and Woodland Mall.



It’s a family-friendly, two-day event featuring over 25 food trucks and concessionaires, five bands on the Metro Main Stage, free shuttle service, Miss Metro Cruise Finale, kids’ events and activities, a Dyno car testing platform, Community Awards Ceremony, Donut Competition, 35 sponsor booths with giveaways and games, the famous Collector Car Row consisting of over 400 collector cars, and much more. All free to the public.

Official cruise time

Spanning 13 miles of 28th Street, the official Cruise time is set for 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26. For one hour, Metro Cruise encourages all classic, muscle, antique, modified and sports car owners to cruise 28th Street – starting and ending where they choose. 

Billings has shared his love of speed and performance vehicles with his daughter Cathe DeLaney, who attends the Metro Cruise with her father each year. DeLaney deems the Cruise the highlight of their year, saying, “That’s pretty much our Christmas. We look forward to that so much.

Kentwood resident and Metro Cruise fan Gene Billing’s Chevy Silverado. (WKTV)

“The Metro Cruise is kind of neat, it’s a big mix.



“They have classic cars, they have muscle cars, they have old Model T’s.



“Rogers Plaza is just crazy, there are so many people there.

“Where the cars are the stars.”

An estimated 275,000 attendees

Metro Cruise annually attracts more than 15,000 Collector/Sports/Antique cars to the Grand Rapids area, and an estimated 275,000 people to its related events from across North America.

But it gained its popularity from car lovers in West Michigan, such as Billings and DeLaney.

Born in Flint, Billings is a native to the Grand Rapids area.

“His Dad worked for GM Fisher Body over here on 36th and Buchanan,” DeLaney said. “He grew up in the car industry, but didn’t want to work at the factory.”

Billings agreed, his interest leaning toward sprucing up his personal vehicles and racing for his own enjoyment.

“I’ve had all sorts of cars,” Billings said. “Dad was always trading his in every year and I’d get his leftovers.”

Billings lamented that his father never bought anything good enough to race.

“I tried to talk him into it, but he wasn’t interested,” he explained. “Dad had no comprehension on what a performance car was. The first car I got from him was a ’55 Chevy 6-cylinder station wagon. I said, ‘Oh boy, that’s a thrill,’” Billings said with a chuckle.

That was not the case with Billings, however, who would “tweak” his cars with “this and that” since he was a teen, finally settling on his beloved 2011 Chevy Silverado.

Metro Cruise fan Gene Billings with his vast collection of t-shirts. (Cathe DeLaney)


DeLaney said Billings can’t add many more “bells and whistles,” having already increased the truck’s performance and custom features to its maximum capacity.

“Whenever it’s convenient, I go down and run the track,” Billings said of the US 131 Motorsports Park in Martin.



The Motorsports Park is a noted drag-racing strip founded in 1962 that now features a renovated track for modern events.

The Silverado’s best speed was 102 mph in the ¼ mile at the Motorsports Park’s straight track. But DeLaney confessed that she has seen the Silverado reach 150 mph.

Always looking for a race

“He is always looking for someone to race on the highway (mostly Camaros and Mustangs),” DeLaney said. “You don’t expect that much horsepower out of a truck. He’s like a shark.”

In fact, sharks are displayed prominently on Billings’ Silverado. When asked why he chose a shark, Billings replied, “Because it bites.”

“Mustangs are a great target,” Billings said with a grin. “I like to surprise them.”

DeLaney said he loves to come up to the line and be No. 1.

“Most (other drivers) back down at a certain speed, but they have longer to live than he does,” she added with a laugh.

The father-daughter duo still takes a weekly cruise together in the Silverado, alternating driving duties. When asked if they have ever received a ticket for their speed, Billings admitted, “I got pulled over once just outside of Sparta, and the cop was more interested in the truck than in giving a ticket.”

Billings and DeLaney plan to attend the Metro Cruise this year just as they have in years past.

For more information, visit here: 28th Street Metro Cruise

Ken Lingenfelter– He Loves Cars–But Giving to Charity Means Just As Much!

The WKTV Citizen Journalism Team gets to visit with Ken Lingenfelter and view his collection.
The WKTV Citizen Journalism Team gets to visit with Ken Lingenfelter and view his collection.

Let’s talk about a passionate, generous man. He’s an affable, teddy bear of a man cub who just happens to own one of the most rare and expensive automobile collections in the world.

Meet Brighton Michigan’s own Ken Lingenfelter. He’s a guy with huge heart and a very large car collection. The Lingenfelter Collection totals around 250 and includes a variety of Corvettes, muscle cars, and sleek exotic sports cars. Several vehicles in the collection are among the most rare automobiles in the world, including a 1.5 million Lamborghini, a Bugatti Veyron, Enzo Ferrari, and a Lamborghini Reventón. Not your Grandpa’s automobiles. But you know what means just as much to him as this fabulous grouping of expensive cars?—CHARITY.

Lingenfelter is even generous with his time. When our WKTV Citizen Journalism team showed up we were expecting about a half an hour at the most of a guided tour and interview. Three hours later our jaw dropping experience in the 40, 000 square foot facility with the best tour guide in existence was drawing to a close.  Ling 2

The collection isn’t open to the public, but: “The reason for this collection centers around charity. It’s our mission! We have hosted everything here from black tie affairs, to beer and pizza events to having the Boy Scouts host their Pine Derby event here. We have about 100 events a year,” Lingenfelter explained.

Some charities include the Ronald McDonald House, Breast Cancer research, Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, Juvenile Diabetes, Boy Scouts, youth organizations and many more.

If a charity has a sound cause Lingenfelter is there. Everything that he touches is guided by generosity. The human dynamo is always in perpetual motion raising money with private showings, tours and events while continually showcasing his infectious enthusiasm for his collection.  Ling 7

 While the collection currently is not open to the public, it is available for corporate and charity events, silent and live auctions, and car-club specialty showings. For more information on the collection, or to learn about availability and scheduling an event, please call (248) 486-5342 Ext. 10.  Or, go to his website at www.thelingenfeltercollection.com

Ling 11Two of Ken’s cars and many more will be featured during WKTV’s live production of “DreamWheels!” It all takes place outside in the old Klingman’s parking lot across from Rogers Plaza. The show goes live on Friday, August 21 from 8 to 10 p.m. and again with new cars on Saturday, August 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. There will be a crosswalk between Rogers Plaza and the old Klingman’s for easy access. Best of all – admission is free!

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28th Street Metro Cruise Celebrates Cruisin’ Back to the 20th Century

Metro CruiseThe Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce and the Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association will present the 28th Street Metro Cruise® on Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22, 2015, along 15 miles of 28th Street. This marks the 11th year the annual celebration of classic cars has descended on 28th Street, in what has become West Michigan’s premiere auto show and cruise, attracting car lovers with unique vehicles from throughout the United States.

Additions to this year’s official Metro Cruise festivities at Roger’s Plaza include: a blood drive hosted by Michigan Blood Center from 2 to 6 pm; a seminar for lady cruisers presented by Kandi Blaze, lady gearhead and professional pin up model Friday from 4 to 5 pm; and an appearance by Pete Chapouris of So-Cal Speed Shop.

Metro Cruise The ConcourseChapouris is best known for his creation of “The California Kid” car and will be available for autographs both Friday and Saturday courtesy of Steve’s Antique Auto Repair and sponsored by J&H Family Stores, Marge’s Donut Den, Top Stitch Trim & Upholstery, Pinkies Ice Cream & Desserts, Travis Truck & Auto Collision, Inc., Vanguard Fire & Security Systems, Inc. and Wade & Jane Jennings.

The food court and vendors officially open at 4 pm Friday. At 6 pm, Cruise goers can cheer on their favorite Pinup Girl as 20 lovely ladies vie for the title of Miss Metro Cruise 2015. Across the street, WKTV will host its one-of-kind, red carpet event “DreamWheels” from 8 to 10 pm, featuring rarely seen automobiles on a live TV show. This is the only show of this kind in the nation.

On Saturday morning, the Metro Cruise re-opens at 9 am. Throughout the day there will be prize giveaways, performances by Sneaky Pete Blues Band of Kalamazoo and, of course, thousands of cars of every variety to enjoy.

The event has grown through the years to average more than 250K visitors and more than 15,000 vehicles each year. There has been momentum within the 28th Street merchants’ community to increase event participation. Being the premiere classic car attraction in Western Michigan, the 28th Street Metro Cthruise® generates a welcomed injection of tourist dollars into our community and represents a huge marketing / promotional opportunity for local and regional businesses.

Go to the Metro Cruise® website (www.28thstreetmetrocruise.com) and Facebook page for the latest information.