This is the fourth summer that Brass Era car enthusiasts will gather at the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan, to celebrate pre-1916 automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and race cars. The Celebration of Brass IV, hosted by the Museum of the Horseless Carriage, has become a not-to-be missed tradition featuring the car show, pre-WWII swap meet, car games, demonstrations, vintage fashion review, welcome reception, ice cream social, and banquet (Thursday, July 18th, early registration packet pick-up and reception – Friday and Saturday, July 19th & 20th, car show and swap meet).
Following Celebration IV is the Museum of the Horseless Carriage HCCA National Tour with all new venues and routes (Sunday, July 21st – a half day on Tuesday, July 23rd). Please refer to the tour’s separate registration form.
Whether you are a returning participant, or this is your first time, we are truly delighted with your decision to join us! Here is important information to plan your trip and to complete the online registration and payment process.
Registration Information
IMPORTANT TO NOTE the Celebration of Brass IV event offers each registered show car complimentary Gilmore Car Museum admission for up to two people per car only – a value of $72 for two days. If you have additional guests registered with your car for Friday and/or Saturday’s Celebration, please purchase Gilmore Car Museum admission upon arrival for your additional participants. Swap meet vendor participants also receive free entry for up to two people. If you register for both the car show and swap meet, you qualify for four complimentary admissions. Please view the Gilmore Car Museum website for more information on admission fees.
Eligibility
All automobiles (any number of cylinders, steam, or electric), motorcycles, and bicycles made before 1916 are welcome. If you have any questions about eligibility or registration, refer to the contacts under ‘inquiries’ below. We are glad to help!
Car Show and Pre-WWII Swap Meet: You DO NOT need to be a member of the HCCA to participate.
Car Tour: You DO need to be a current member of the HCCA. The tour starts and finishes all 2.5 days at the Gilmore Car Museum. To attend the car tour, you need to sign up for the tour’s separate registration on this website.
Accommodations & Logistics
Host Hotel: Springhill Suites, 850 Trade Center Way, Portage, MI, 49002. ROOM BLOCK HAS EXPIRED. Call hotel to check availability and what new rate is. Hotel is 20 miles southwest of the Gilmore Car Museum, about a 30-minute drive. Dial 269-238-3254, or
Book your group rate for Celebration of Brass – Museum of the Horseless Carriage
Optional hotel next door to Springhill Suites:
Call Courtyard by Marriott: 269-382-5808
400 Trade Center Way Kalamazoo Portage, MI
RV Sites: Contact the Gilmore Car Museum (a Harvest Host member) at 269-671-5089 to make your campsite reservations on the museum grounds. Visit https://gilmorecarmuseum.org/visit/on-site-camping for more information.
Rig Parking: Complimentary parking at the Gilmore Car Museum is available on the east side of the grounds. Plan to keep your rig parked at the museum for the duration of all event and tour dates you are registered for.
The Museum of the Horseless Carriage is located at the Gilmore Car Museum, 6865 West Hickory Road, Hickory Corners, MI 49060.
Due Dates & Cancellation Policy
Online Registrations: Due no later than June 25th, 2024 to be included in our published printed material. Note: You may also register up until and including the day of the event, but you will not be included in the printed program.
Cancellations: No refunds after June 25th, 2024 due to the expenses affiliated with planning and material production.
Hotel: The special room block rate ends June 6th, 2024.
Contribution option: If you cancel after June 25th, 2024, you may request a donation letter from the Museum of the Horseless Carriage. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations are deductible according to IRS limits, rules, and regulations.
Inquiries
If you have any questions or need to make any changes to your registration, please reach out to events@museumofthehorselesscarriage.org and we will contact you soon.
Event Committee: Chris Paulsen (Chair), Rusty Berg, Jim Bloomstrand, Kim Brodhagen, Terry Cole, Joyce Edfors, Tom Edfors, Mike Howard, and David Stevens.
On behalf of the Trustees of the Museum of the Horseless Carriage and the Celebration of Brass IV Event Committee, thank you!
