by Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Thousands of people who will enjoy collector and specialty vehicles in this week’s Woodward Dream Cruise, and they may be wondering – where do these beauties go to rest between outings?
For many it’s at The Woodward Warehouse, a modern, state-of-the-art classic car storage facility and clubhouse at 4260 Edgeland in Royal Oak, near the hub of the August 15 Dream Cruise.
The Woodward Warehouse – the only one of its kind in Michigan – was the brainchild of Troy resident Joe Polito, who sarted it three years ago after retiring from a 35-year career as an environmental attorney and partner at Honigman Miller in Detroit.
An avid collector of cars since he was 16, the Detroit native – graduate of Wayne State University and the University of Michigan Law School – was storing his 11 classic cars at his home, cottage, and with family members until his wife urged him to store them in one place.
Polito – who still owns a 63 Corvette Stingray Roadster, a high school graduation gift from his father – currently owns 19 classic vehicles, including a 1931 Cadillac 355A; 1950 Ford; Corvettes from 1954, 1977, 1985, 2003 and two from 1963 (Coupe and Roadster); 1955 Ford F-100; two 1981 and a 1982 DeLorean DMC-12; 2006 Cadillac XLR; 2006 Pontiac Solstice; and a 1953 Chevy, his own first wheels.
“During the last two years, I’ve made a concerted effort to re-acquire all the cool cars I had when I was young,” he says. “I think I’m done for a while!”
Polito sank $500,000 into his dream of The Woodward Warehouse, turning a vacant and abandoned building into a haven for car buffs. He visited five similar facilities around the U.S. for inspiration, and added his own unique touches.
The 14,000-square-foot, climate-controlled storage facility, decorated with auto-related memorabilia and posters, operates like a yacht or country club. Members pay a monthly rate to store cars, motorcycles, and trucks, and a separate membership fee. The garage can house around 65 vehicles.
The facility previously stored the 1952 Triumph motorcycle ridden by actor Henry Winkler who played Arthur Fonzarelli (aka “Fonzie” or “the Fonz”) in Happy Days. The bike, owned by a friend of Polito’s, is currently on display at the Gilmore Museum north of Battle Creek.
“It’s a not-too-well known, but fantastic car museum which is definitely worth a visit,” Polito says. “We’re hoping the Fonz's bike will return one day to The Woodward Warehouse.”
Members enjoy the 24/7 privileges of a private lounge, outdoor patio, conference room, car hoists and tools, an auto detailing area, cigar room, a shower, game room with a pool table and pinball machines, seven flat screen TVs, kitchen and laundry room, as well as car brokerage and concierge services and surveillance cameras that enable members to keep an eye on their “babies” remotely.
There is also a “social membership” for car lovers who don’t have vehicles to store; and a membership level for those who just want storage and not clubhouse privileges.
“The Woodward Warehouse provides a unique haven for car enthusiasts,” says Polito.
Some enthusiasts started cruising Woodward Avenue in the early ’50s, including one of Polito’s best friends, George DeLorean, younger brother of John DeLorean, the genius behind the DMC gull wing stainless steel car of the 1980s.
About 40 percent of the vehicles housed at The Woodward Warehouse will head out for the Dream Cruise, notes Polito, who plans on doing a lot of driving during Dream Cruise Week.
“I will likely be driving a black 1968 Dodge Charger and a 1966 Burgundy Olds Toronado,” he says.
In addition, a long-time member, Pilot Transport (a division of United Haulers) will host a private Dream Cruise party at The Woodward Warehouse on Saturday for about 350 people.
“The Dream Cruise, originally intended as a Saturday only event, is truly a unique and awesome Detroit event – it’s the largest car show in the entire world,” Polito says. “Last time I checked, attendance is estimated to be slightly in excess of one million people, with about 40,000 plus classic cars, with many people attending from out of state.”
The Dream Cruise, while still officially only on Saturday, now extends throughout the preceding week, with the police usually having to shut down Woodward Avenue at about 9 p.m. on the preceding weeknights because of the traffic, he notes.
“In fact, many people start congregating on Woodward Avenue and driving the famed street in June to enjoy the summer weather and the classic cars,” he adds. “Nowhere else in the world can you see so many and varied classic gems at one time!”
The Woodward Warehouse is available for tours by appointment during the week and open to the public during “Cars and Coffee,” 10 a.m. to noon, every Saturday from May to October. The car haven also hosts tech talks and restoration lectures, presentations, charity events and educational seminars, and is available for private events.
For more information, visit www.woodwardwarehouse.com or call (248) 549-7685.
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