Cars - Auto Executives - Auto Shows - Joe Polimeni Photography

Photographing expensive products, working with top executives and traveling around the world are all in a days work.

“The diversity of my experience inspires me think openly, approach challenges as an opportunity, and explore the unique in every photograph.”

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Hummer jumps sand dunes in Saudi Arabia — Hummer jumps sand dunes in Saudi Arabia
© Joe Polimeni Photography

Hummer jumps sand dunes in Saudi Arabia

Henry Ford — Henry Ford
When I came to Detroit, at times felt I was robbing someone of their dream. I had no affinity for cars; I could care less. I had a Olds Cutlass, it got me where I need to go. I didn’t aspire to a Corvette, although a Mercedes 450SL was appetizing, however too expensive and camera equipment wasn’t cheap. The only auto executive I knew was the same one everyone knew, Henry Ford II. He was like royalty, he was royalty. When I was in New York covering the Cattle Baron’s Ball, I shot Henry Ford. His daughter made news being in the Debutante Ball. His divorce was nationwide news, not to mention his marriage to fashion model Kathleen DuRoss. Whatever he did or said was news and Detroit rippled. I once went to a GM press conference, CEO Tom Murphy spoke, the energy in the room was significantly different. People talk about Iacocca and Lutz. There is no question Lee was a force in the industry, Lutz being a very distant 3rd, he was never a CEO. But no one has, or ever will, reach the stratosphere of Henry Ford. It was far from my first press conference, but the atmosphere was unlike anything I experienced. When he came into the room it was almost like some needed to announce, “All Rise.” No one would have mind. Truth is I met and spoke with him several times. he was down to earth, friendly and kind. I once made a picture of Henry and Kathleen soon after their marriage, there weren’t many. They went to Tiger Stadium. It ran in the NYTimes on the front of Biz. His VP of PR called asking for a copy. As he put it, Mr. Ford liked it so much; of course I obliged. Days later a delivered handwritten note of thanks. I saw his VP much later and asked was that really from him? Of course, he said yes, I also believe it was. I photographed so many famous people, that was my job. Looking back, Henry Ford’s name was on the building, but when he spoke, he spoke for the industry. I believe that's what the industry is missing today. Not only famous, he was that 1/10 of 1 percent above. © Joe Polimeni Photography

Henry Ford

Corvette C6 in Wind Tunnel — Corvette C6 in Wind Tunnel
© Joe Polimeni Photography

Corvette C6 in Wind Tunnel

Lee Iacocca — Lee Iacocca
© Joe Polimeni Photography

Lee Iacocca

1992 Jeep Crashs through Glass at Auto Show — 1992 Jeep Crashs through Glass at Auto Show
I recently read none of the Detroit Three are buying Super Bowl Ads. It’s far from odd, GM hasn’t in a few years and Ford in several. Stellantis, the former Chrysler, is taking a break not only from the Super Bowl, but also the Chicago Auto Show that ran a month after Detroit when it was in January. I’ve said for some time, to deaf ears, that auto shows are a thing of the past. Chicago, however is an unusual show, a dealer based show that attracted more people than the Detroit and New York combined. There are unique memories of Auto Shows. One of my first assignments from UPI was to cover the New York Auto Show. Full disclosure, I’m not a car guy, never was. Which begs the question, what was I doing in Detroit? Used to tell people, got drunk at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York and when I woke, was in Detroit. Fact is, it’s too long story for this post. Will say, I saw cars as I do fashion. Nonetheless, my boss ripped a story off the wire, a teletype machine, said “read it, and go.” Henry Ford was introducing something, made the big smile pix with the car behind. There was no bigger name in the auto world at the time. Covered the show for the next few years, got to know the players. Ironically, the first job I covered after my arrival in Detroit was Auto Prom, the Charity Preview. From 1978 through 1991 I covered my fair share of Detroit shows. Silk sheets getting pulled off cars, whooo hooo. The reveals were boring. It was however a time you could make the CEOs away from their mahogany offices and casually around cars. Imagine that, a possible picture. 1992 was an interesting year. The company, where I grinded my teeth, was coming to and end. It was dying for years, but this time, there was little to save it. The Detroit Auto show was always in January, strange time for a major show, always snow, but that was the cycle. One time there was a blizzard, to help the Media Days of the show, GM had to help the city plow out with their heavy bulldozing equipment. You can’t make it up. I got bigger play with GM bulldozers plowing out the city than I did of car Intros. Iacocca’s Chrysler had bought AMC, mostly for Jeep. You could see change within the company. While everyone else was, we did it this way for years, why change? To open thinking, and why not? Chrysler was about to change Auto Shows for the next many years to come. It was going to introduce a new Jeep with it’s colorful President Bob Lutz, AKA, Maximum Bob. He wasn’t called that then, but you could see from this introduction, why. Instead of pulling off silk sheets, the former Marine pilot was going to drive it into the lobby of Cobo Hall via, up the outer steps, then crash it through the plate glass exterior window, with none other than Detroit Mayor Coleman Young in the passenger seat. I was in LA after covering the Aloha and Rose Bowls and was going to take a little time off to figure out the Act II of my career. Was going to hire a freelancer to shoot the show. I could live without another ta dah, sheet off car intro. A PR guy who knew I was always into something different left me a few messages, telling me of their plan. Thought he was pulling my chain, but after a call back, I booked a flight to Detroit. So much for California sun to wind and cold. Got a little sleep and off to Cobo Hall to get a good spot.The plate glass window was replaced with Hollywood sugar glass that would be crushed by a light explosive just prior to the bumper of the Jeep touching the glass. I can only imagine what that took when the Fire Department said, you want to do what? Chrysler hired a number of photographers to make the pictures from different angles. My friend and competitor Red Mclendon of the AP and I were standing close together. We were still shooting film then. A few papers and the AP were experimenting with digital, the costs were extraordinary. Lutz, with the Mayor on tow, drove the Jeep off the assembly line from a nearby plant. It arrived at Cobo and came slowly rolling up the outside steps. A slight pause at the landing, then pop, the glass and broke and the Jeep came flying through. If I had what I thought this would be an Auto Show picture to end Auto Show pictures. Red asked, did you get it? It was quick, the momentum changed from up the steps, stop and fast through the glass, frankly wasn’t sure. No looking at the back of the camera then. After an hour or so I called Red and said I got it; transmitting in color. He said he did too. We met at the local watering hole, the Anchor Bar, had a burger and laid our prints on the table. They were identical. I mean like freaky identical. Red and I couldn’t believe it. Couple days later we found out that we were the only two that had the Jeep coming through as the glass was crashing down. Everyone else was late. Chrysler PR had seen the publications, called both Red and I to see if they could buy the picture. Red’s was in the New York Times, mine in USA Today in Color. Little did I know that picture and a coincidental meet in a pet store 32 years ago set the stage for the next phase of my career.© Joe Polimeni Photography

1992 Jeep Crashs through Glass at Auto Show

John Delorean — John Delorean
He was the Steve McQueen of a stodgy auto industry, married to fashion model Cristina Ferrare. The tall, charismatic, handsome, Detroit native, John Zachary DeLorean, a flamboyant auto executive was not only the epitome of cool but also considered father of the much craved Pontiac GTO. The man who also walked away from General Motors to start his own sports car company, the DeLorean Motor Company (DMC), when he was on the brink of the GM presidency in 1973. And also the man forever linked to a silver-bodied gullwing sports car made famous in the 1985 film, "Back to the Future." Yes, he was also the man in 1982 charged with cocaine trafficking. DeLorean defend himself under the procedural defense of police entrapment. The trial ended in a not guilty verdict in 1984, by which time DMC declared bankruptcy forever ending operations. After DeLorean left General Motors, Patrick Wright, author and reporter, approached him with the idea of writing a book based on his experiences. DeLorean agreed to dictate his recollections. The final product, published in 1979, "On a Clear Day You Can See General Motors," sold 1.6 million copies. © Joe Polimeni Photography

John Delorean

Jet d’Eau 2005 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible in Geneva, Switzerland. — Jet d’Eau 2005 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Jet d’Eau in Lake Geneva sets the stage for the introduction of the 2005 Corvette Convertible in Geneva. The sixth-generation Corvette will be introduced at Geneva Motor Show. © Joe Polimeni Photography

Jet d’Eau 2005 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible in Geneva, Switzerland.

General Motors Vice Chairman Robert Lutz and Subaru Chairman Kyoji Takenaka — General Motors Vice Chairman Robert Lutz and Subaru Chairman Kyoji Takenaka
General Motors Vice Chairman Robert Lutz (R) sketches a motorcycle as Subaru Chairman Kyoji Takenaka looks on during GM's press conference in Tokyo, Japan October 22, 2003 opening the Tokyo Motor Show.© Joe Polimeni Photography

General Motors Vice Chairman Robert Lutz and Subaru Chairman Kyoji Takenaka

New GTO is introduced in Los Angeles — New GTO is introduced in Los Angeles
© Joe Polimeni Photography

New GTO is introduced in Los Angeles

Ross Perot and Roger Smith — Ross Perot and Roger Smith
© Joe Polimeni Photography

Ross Perot and Roger Smith

Prowler auto show — Prowler auto show
When it was introduced in 1993 as a concept car, it stole the show. It came to life at the 1996 Detroit Auto Show, the city’s annual premier event. The Plymouth Prowler, later the Chrysler Prowler, a retro-styled production car was manufactured and marketed from 1997 to 2002. The car featured aluminum construction, in many cases adhesively bonded. The car was assembled by hand, in the same plant that built the Dodge Viper in Detroit. © Joe Polimeni Photography

Prowler auto show

Zora Arkus-Duntov and the 1 Millionth Corvette — Zora Arkus-Duntov and the 1 Millionth Corvette
Zora Arkus-Duntov reacts after starting the millionth Corvette to come of the assembly line in Bowling Green, KY. An engineer, his work earned him the nickname "Father of the Corvette."© Joe Polimeni Photography

Zora Arkus-Duntov and the 1 Millionth Corvette

Hummer SUT — Hummer SUT
General Motors’ all new 2005 Hummer H2 SUT is poised at the base of the volcano eruption at The Mirage Hotel on Las Vegas' famous the strip, 2003. The H2 SUT (sport utility truck) will be introduced worldwide prior to the opening of the Specialty Equipment Market Association, (SEMA) show.© Joe Polimeni Photography

Hummer SUT

Jim Farley, Toyota Group Vice President, Marketing — Jim Farley, Toyota Group Vice President, Marketing
Jim Farley, Group Vice President, Marketing is all smiles standing next to the Prius Hybrid at Toyota’s display at the New York International Auto Show, Wednesday April 4, 2007. © Joe Polimeni Photography

Jim Farley, Toyota Group Vice President, Marketing

GM Gary Cowger Introduces New Saturn — GM Gary Cowger Introduces New Saturn
© Joe Polimeni Photography

GM Gary Cowger Introduces New Saturn

General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz andSuzuki Chairman Osamu Suzuki — General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz andSuzuki Chairman Osamu Suzuki
General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, a motorcycle enthusiast, sketched a Suzuki bike and gave it to its Chairman Osamu Suzuki after GM's press conference in Tokyo, Japan © Joe Polimeni Photography

General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz andSuzuki Chairman Osamu Suzuki

GM HUMMER under Brooklyn Bridge — GM HUMMER under Brooklyn Bridge
General Motors' HUMMER H2 SUT concept vehicle rests under the Brooklyn Bridge prior to its introduction at the upcoming New York International Auto Show.

GM HUMMER under Brooklyn Bridge

Cadillac Allante — Cadillac Allante
John Grettenberger, former Vice President of Cadillac in the 80’s and 90’s and Sergio Pininfarina sit in a Cadillac Allanté, after its introduction in 1987, outside Cadillac's Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant, where it was produced. The Allanté was a two-door, two-seater luxury roadster produced from 1987 until 1993. The car's body was made in Italy by Pininfarina and shipped to Detroit on specially equipped 747s what was called the world's longest production line. Each plane in the "Allante Air Bridge" that landed in Detroit contained 56 bodies transported to the assembly plant for installation of the powertrain and other parts. Over 21,000 were built during its seven-year production run.© Joe Polimeni Photography

Cadillac Allante

GM HUMMER takes Manhattan — GM HUMMER takes Manhattan
General Motors' HUMMER H2 SUT concept vehicle rests under the Brooklyn Bridge as bridge painters give it look, a preview to the upcoming New York Auto Show.© Joe Polimeni Photography

GM HUMMER takes Manhattan

UAW Presidents — UAW Presidents
Posting a picture yesterday regarding an anniversary cake sparked a memory of another picture involving a cake for very different reasons. When I came to Detroit in 1978 there were over 1.5 million United Auto Workers, (UAW); it was a force. Today it’s a skeleton of years past with membership hovering just under 400k, an inconceivable loss, over one million, two thirds their membership. During contract talks, I spent many a night in auto company conference rooms waiting for word on an agreement. Contract talks reverberated not only in Detroit, but also for the middle class worldwide; it was a global economic story. Sadly, the last several years the most news coming out of the UAW has been federal indictments, corruption, and government oversight of once a fabled union. When I look at this picture, I made in 1985, of former UAW Presidents (L-R) Doug Fraser, Owen Bieber, blowing out candles celebrating the union’s 50th anniversary, Leonard Woodcock, and AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland, pillars of what their union stood for, whether you agreed with them or not, I see men you respected for their integrity, who built one of the most powerful unions in the world.© Joe Polimeni Photography

UAW Presidents

Hummer-Arnold-Rudy — Hummer-Arnold-Rudy
Arnold Schwarzneggar with General Motors' HUMMER H2 SUT concept vehicle prior to Schwarzneggar's drive of the sport utility concept into Times Square 4/10 for a preview of its appearance at the upcoming New York International Auto Show.© Joe Polimeni Photography

Hummer-Arnold-Rudy

Ron Zarrella drives Concept car The Rev — Ron Zarrella drives Concept car The Rev
General Motors President of North American Operations Ron Zarrella takes the drivers seat of the new Pontiac Rev concept car prior to its reveal at the Chicago Auto Show 2/7.© Joe Polimeni Photography

Ron Zarrella drives Concept car The Rev

Bill Fay, Toyota Vice President revealed the Corolla Furia Concept at the 2013 North American International Auto Show — Bill Fay, Toyota Vice President revealed the Corolla Furia Concept at the 2013 North American International Auto Show
Bill Fay, Toyota Division Group Vice President Toyota revealed the Corolla Furia Concept at the 2013 North American International Auto Show, Monday, January 14, 2013, in Detroit. Fay, danced to Mariachi music that played when he explained the color of the Corolla concept was “Fuego Furrioso.” This compact sedan concept hints at the styling cues consumers can expect to see on the next-generation Corolla. © Joe Polimeni Photography

Bill Fay, Toyota Vice President revealed the Corolla Furia Concept at the 2013 North American International Auto Show

Unviel Sebring Pebble Beach — Unviel Sebring Pebble Beach
© Joe Polimeni Photography

Unviel Sebring Pebble Beach

UAW- GM Handshake — UAW- GM Handshake
© Joe Polimeni Photography

UAW- GM Handshake