“We are proud to bring a speaker lineup that is diverse, educational, inspirational and entertaining,” said Ted O’Dell, Executive Director of the Hackett Auto Museum. “The series will help build a bridge between our collective past and our future as a community steeped in rich automotive and manufacturing history – a shared history that helped propel Michigan into the automotive industry we know today.”
A presentation from internationally acclaimed author Jim Hinckley will kick off the series on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at Jackson Makerspace (formerly Tomlinson Elementary School), located at 730 Tomlinson St. There will be a suggested $5 donation at the door.
Hinckley, a 1976 graduate of Vandercook Lake High School, is a former associate editor for Cars & Parts Magazine and the author of nineteen books including “The Big Book of Car Culture” “Checker Cab Manufacturing Company: An Illustrated History” and “The Route 66 Encyclopedia.” He has also written feature articles for a variety of publications including Old Cars Weekly and Hemmings Classic Car.
Hinckley’s work has been the subject of interviews on a variety of programs including “Jay Leno’s Garage” and “Travel with Rick Steves.” His popular Jim Hinckley’s America series of programs and presentations has an international audience, and he was a featured speaker at the second European Route 66 Festival in Zlín, Czech Republic.
Hinckley’s family has a long association with Jackson and its industrial heritage. His grandfather, Fred P. Hinckley, is the namesake for Hinckley Boulevard in Summit Township, Mich. He was also a machinist for David Buick, a founder of Hinckley-Meyer and president of Hinckleyway Products, a company located on Francis Street that engaged in special projects for Henry Ford.