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Vehicle enthusiasts love a good car collection, and there’s plenty to go around. Nowadays, you’ll find some that will allow you to see unique vehicles for a good cause. One such charity event is coming up soon from Ken Lingenfelter’s assortment of cars and trucks. How did his popular collection come about, and what is the charity he works with?

How the Lingenfelter collection came about

Ken Lingenfelter was introduced to cars by his father, who was a General Motors executive. Growing up, Lingenfelter learned to appreciate high-performance vehicles, which led to his first Chevy Corvette purchase in 1977. His success in the real estate business helped him buy more unique, exotic, high-performance, and muscle cars as the years went on. 

In 2008, he had the chance to buy into Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, a company owned by his cousin John Lingenfelter. The business specialized in building products that enhance a wide variety of vehicles. You’ll find this business’ products in many Chevrolet vehicles to improve its performance. 

A blue Chevy Camaro model with a Lingenfelter Supercharger upgrade at the 2019 NAIAS event in Detroit, Michigan
A Chevy Camaro with Lingenfelter Supercharger | Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Lingenfelter began opening up his collection to the public, only recently partnering up with a well-known charity to help fund an important organization. Each year, these two companies get together to throw a one-day event. 

What is the collection charity event for?

Every year since 2016, Lingenfelter has opened up his collection, for one day only, for public view to help get donations for the American Cancer Society. Browsing the vehicles is free, but you’ll be asked for a donation of your chosen amount when you enter the event, according to MLive‘s website.

Money raised that day goes to help fund cancer research and provide much-needed support for cancer patients. So far, this event has brought over $300,000 to the American Cancer Society in the short six years it’s been going on. 

This year, you can view the collection on April 22, 2023, at 7819 Lochlin Drive in Brighton, Michigan. Lingenfelter will have over 200 vehicles on display, which will include exotic, classic, and even custom-built models. 

What unique cars can you find in the collection?

One vehicle you’ll find in his secret car collection is a 1971 Chevy Nova SS was a muscle car, of sorts, with its 350 cubic inch V8 engine that could produce 270 horsepower, making it what Lingenfelter terms the ” true budget muscle car” of its day, according to the Lingenfelter Collection website. Paired with it are a four-speed manual transmission and a sporty suspension system. 

You’ll also find a 1954 Chevy Corvette EX-87, which was known as the “Duntov Mule.” This model was the first V8-powered Corvette produced, and it originally sported a 265 cubic inch engine, but the displacement was increased to 307 cubic inches. Some body modifications, like a tail fin, were done to increase the vehicle’s speed. 

Cars aren’t the only models you’ll see. Trucks are also included, specifically a 2019 Chevy Colorado ZR2-L, powered by a Gen 2 LGZ 3.6-liter V6 engine. Lingenfelter tweaked it to increase power to 450 hp. The company also modified it with the Lingenfelter Suspension Leveling Kit, off-road wheels and tires, and an Intercooler Reservoir Tank. 

The Lingenfelter collection promises to have numerous models to browse through if you want to check out his rare car collection and spend a few hours doing it. You’ll also be helping out the American Cancer Society fund revolutionary research into cancer treatments. 

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