Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association Recognizes Proos Manufacturing as West Michigan Automotive Supplier

(L-R) Blair Sharpe, GRNCDA President; Amy Proos, CEO/Owner – Proos Manufacturing; John Irwin, President-West Michigan Region at Huntington National Bank. (Photo By Marty Dunham)

The Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association (GRNCDA) is pleased to announce Proos Manufacturing as the recipient of its 2014 “Celebration of Innovation: Automotive Supplier of the Year” award. The award was presented to CEO Amy Proos during the February 5 VIP Reception, held prior to the Charity Spectacular Preview for the 2014 Michigan International Auto Show.

“It is an honor to recognize a brilliant company like Proos Manufacturing during this incredible event,” says Blair Sharpe, GRNCDA President. “In its 50 years serving the automotive market, Proos has proven it has the knowledge and experience to be flexible in its ability to develop processes and products to meet the challenges of the automobile industry.”

Companies throughout Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Allegan and Muskegon counties were invited to submit nominations for the award. A selection committee from GRNCDA then met to review the nominees.

“You don’t often hear about the incredible ingenuity of West Michigan suppliers when talking about the impressive vehicles in our showrooms today,” said Mr. Sharpe, who presented the award. “But it is companies like Proos that help improve the quality and safety of the cars and trucks on roads throughout Michigan and the United States. The Celebration of Innovation award allows us to recognize the importance of local companies competing in the international automotive industry.”

Amy Proos is the third generation, and first woman, CEO and owner of her family’s manufacturing company. For almost 95 years, Proos Manufacturing has excelled in the art of metal stampings, metal forming and value-added assemblies. Today, Proos is a leading provider of manufacturing and engineering solutions for the automotive, industrial, furniture, medical, defense and energy application industries.

Proos prides herself on having an open line of communication with her employees and focusing on the individual needs of her customers to consistently provide solutions with ingenuity. She states, “Being candid about details of the business has earned me the trust and respect of my 83 employees and our customers.”

Established by Neal Proos as a manufacturer of casket hardware and cookie die stamps in 1919, Proos Manufacturing evolved into metal stampings and partnered closely with the automotive industry. Throughout the history of the company, customer support, problem resolution and providing solutions with ingenuity and innovation have been cornerstones of the Proos family business. In 2012 Proos Manufacturing was named one of the “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch”. For more information about Proos Manufacturing please visit http://www.proos.com.

The 16th Annual Michigan International Auto Show is presented by the Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association and is one of 16 consumer expositions produced by ShowSpan Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Michigan International Auto Show: February 6-9, 2014

Thursday, February 6 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Friday, February 7 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday, February 8 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday, February 9 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Admission: $10 adults, $4 children aged 6 to 14. Kids 5 and under are admitted free.

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Rare 1938 Mercedes – Hidden Away During WWII in a German Bunker and Found 60 Year Later – Featured at Michigan International Auto Show

An ultra-rare 1938 Mercedes 540K Sport Tourer, which had been hidden away in a World War II-era basement-bunker in Germany and discovered nearly 60 years later, will be featured this year at the Michigan International Auto Show.

This magnificent automobile will be part of the Gilmore Car Museum’s showcase of a dozen historic vehicles during the 16th annual show, February 6-9, 2014, at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.

Only two 540K Sport Tourer models were ever built, with this car being the sole survivor.

“It’s amazing to think that an automobile of this caliber and historical importance survived WWII,” remarked Jay Follis, Marketing Director for the Gilmore Car Museum. “In a war that cost 65 million lives, devastated much of Europe, and saw so many works of art and cultural treasures destroyed or stolen and lost forever, it’s simply astounding.”

Discovering this ultra-rare automobile, hidden in a WWII-era basement-bunker after 60 years, sounds like a story right out of an Indian Jones movie. The car’s original owner lived in Dresden, Germany, and shortly after receiving it, World War II broke out with Germany being the epicenter. In an effort to protect his car from the ravages of war and conceal it from enemy troops, he knocked out a portion of his basement, drove the car in and concealed it by bricking up the doors and windows to make a kind of bunker. It remained there, remarkably surviving the 1945 bombing of Dresden, for nearly 6 decades.

Prior to World War II, Mercedes-Benz was arguably one of the world's most prestigious European automakers and the choice of the cars of kings, captains of industry, and the rich and famous alike. Built between 1936 and 1939, the supercharged Mercedes 540K has become legendary for its exquisite beauty and breath-taking performance, and is coveted by collectors worldwide. In all only 406 in 12 different body styles were crafted before war halted production, yet only two 540K Sport Tourers were ever produced.

With the fall of the Nazi regime and the end of WWII, Germany was divided by the Allies with Dresden becoming part of Soviet-controlled East Germany. This remarkable auto remained hidden until after the fall of the Berlin Wall, when it was finally discovered. The vehicle was complete and in its original condition, only showing the typical deterioration from age and neglect. Given the rarity and importance of the car, the decision was made to have it completely restored, which was finished in 2005. That same year, it debuted at the world-renowned Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance where it was awarded a Best in Class award.

This custom-built Mercedes features a Mother-of-Pearl dash, V-windshield, disappearing convertible top, and could reach speeds well over 100 mph. In 1938, it sold new for an estimated $12,000. While that may not seem to be a high dollar amount today, it was a substantial price compared to Chevrolet’s convertible at $755 or the Ford Deluxe convertible sedan at $900.

Today, being the only remaining example of the two 540K Sport Tourer models made and for its incredible story of survival, this magnificent automobile is considered one of the rarest Mercedes-Benz in existence.

When asked what the car’s current value is, Follis simply stated, “It’s a question we’re often asked. But how do you attach a number to something with such significant historic value? How do you put a price on that or to something which is the only one in the world?”

Those attending the International Auto Show in Grand Rapids will have the exclusive opportunity of viewing this automotive treasure as part of the Gilmore Car Museum display, in the Grand Gallery.

The 16th Annual Michigan International Auto Show is presented by the Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association and is one of 14 consumer expositions produced by ShowSpan Inc., in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1945, ShowSpan – a John D. Loeks Company – has grown to be one of the largest producers of consumer shows in the Midwest.

Michigan International Auto Show: February 6-9, 2014

Thursday, February 6 3:00pm – 10:00pm
Friday, February 7 11:00am – 10:00pm
Saturday, February 8 10:00am – 10:00pm
Sunday, February 9 10:00am – 6:00pm

Admission: $10 adults, $4 children aged 6 to 14. Kids 5 and under are admitted free.

www.GRAutoShow.com