Flint remembers GM's glory with parade marking 100th anniversary

Detroit News

Matt Assenmacher is a cyclist at heart and runs two bicycle shops in Genesee County, but on Sunday, he had old-fashioned gasoline and a lot of nostalgia pumping through his veins.

His 1908 Buick Roadster -- once owned by Buick's first chief engineer, Walter Marr -- led the procession as Flint marked the 100th anniversary of General Motors Corp. with a downtown celebration that was part parade, part car show, and part homecoming.

"This town is still dogged by a lot of mixed emotions when it comes to GM," said Assenmacher. "But today is a day to be proud and honor what is one of America's industrial giants."

Flint-built Chevrolets and Buicks dominated the parade lineup. And there was something for everyone -- brass-era cars, Bel Airs, a rolling wave of chrome, stunning Cadillacs, sports cars, Buick Supers, muscle cars, motor homes and vans.