Caden Bowles was an 11-year old boy who died in fall 2013 because he couldn’t find a donor in time for his second heart transplant. Caden was a huge car fan, so to honor his memory, and also to raise awareness about organ donation, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, in collaboration with automotive journalist Jean Jennings, hosted the Caden’s Car Show.
More than 50 classic, sports, and super cars turned up for Caden’s Car Show, brought by private owners as well as car companies. Not all the kids could come outside to visit the cars, though. Some of them were too sick to leave their rooms.
Currently, 26 children are waiting for organ transplants at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Seven kids need a kidney. Seven kids need a liver and 12 kids, just like Caden, are waiting for hearts.
The event also includes indoor activities such as a photo booth, a slot-car track, XBox games, a track for “valve-cover racers” and face painting on the 12th floor of the hospital. Each child received a gift bag full of treats and toys, courtesy of the event’s sponsors.
Full list of cars on display at Caden’s Car Show:
1922 REO Fire Truck
1925 Detroit Electric 95
1929 Ford hot rod
1930 Ford Model A
1953 MG TD
1953 Packard Caribbean
1953 Jaguar XK120 SE
1954 Chevrolet Corvette
1954 De Soto Firedome
1956 GMC 250 “Tow Mater”
1960 Cadillac Series 62
1963 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier
1964 Amphicar 770
1965 Shelby Cobra 427
1965 Volkswagen Beetle “Herbie”
1965 Dodge A100 “Scooby Doo”
1966 Ford Mustang
1967 Chevrolet Corvette
1969 De Tomaso Mangusta
1969 MGB
1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS
1970 Volkswagen Westfalia Campmobile
1972 Dodge Charger stock car
1972 Austin Mini
1975 Plymouth Fury police car
1976 AMC Pacer
1979 Triumph Dolomite Sprint
1981 De Lorean
1991 Ferrari Testarossa
1991 Porche 944
1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello
2000 Dodge Viper GTS ACR
2004 Dodge Ram SRT10
2005 Lotus Elise
2006 Maserati Gransport MC Victory Edition
2008 Lamborghini Reventon
2009 Oscar Mayer Wienermobile
2010 Chevy Camaro race car
2010 Chevy Camaro pace car
2011 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon pickup
2012 BMW M3
2014 Chevrolet Corvette
2014 Dodge Charger police car
2014 Morgan 3 Wheeler
2014 Ram 2500HD Monster Truck “Mopar Muscle”
2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series
2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante
2014 Nissan GT-R NISMO
2014 Jaguar F-type
2014 Audi R8 V10
2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S
2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith
2014 Mini Cooper S
Tesla Model S
Ford ambulance — UofM Survival Flight
Detroit Fire Department Clown Team 1958 Ford Fire Truck