FAQs
When will registration open?
This is a first year show, planned by passionate enthusiast and community supporters. Please be patient as we get our ducks in a row. We plan to open registration in May. But don't worry… If you want to come and celebrate with us, there will be a spot for you!
What is the cost for the event?
The price to enter a car will be announced soon. Spectators can access the show for free. A VIP spectator ticket will be offered for sale (price announced shortly) which will include access to an air conditioned VIP lounge where you can personally meet, and speak with, members of the Norwood workforce, as well as preferred seating for the Norwood documentary screening, and included tickets for door prizes and raffles. Complimentary drinks and snacks will be included with a VIP ticket.
Why is the event hosted at Factory 52—Why not on the GM Assembly grounds?
US Playing Card was Norwood Assembly's neighbor for the life of the GM plant The city of Norwood has changed drastically since the General Motors assembly plant closed its doors on August 27, 1987. A shopping center and several professional office buildings have been built on the original General Motors assembly plant grounds. The US Playing Card factory site has been redeveloped into Factory 52, a mixed use retail, restaurant and residential site, perfect for an event such as MOTORFest.
Management at Factory 52 wanted to host an event that honored Norwood’s manufacturing past and paid special tribute to the General Motors assembly plant. For these reasons, the small team of passionate enthusiasts behind this event on felt like this would be the perfect place to pay tribute to the legacy of the birthplace of the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, GM Norwood Assembly.
Has anything like this taken place before?
Yes! And no…
In 2012 and 2013, Philip Borris, author of “Echoes of Norwood” and “Visions of Norwood”, two books chronicling the life and death of the General Motors Norwood Assembly plant, hosted back-to-back summertime gatherings at the former GM Assembly garage — a structure that still stands in the heart of Norwood, situated between Montgomery Rd and Smith Rd and across from the site of the former GM Norwood Assembly plant. These two private, invite-only events showcased Norwood built cars, and gave true F-body enthusiast a place to gather and celebrate.
In 2017, filmmaker Drew Money, in attendance of the 2013 event referenced above, continued the spirit of these gatherings with a public car show and fundraiser event called “Norwood Legends”. This event was held on the site of the former Quality Inn, situated just off of Montgomery Rd across from the former GM plant, and served to create awareness and raise funds for a documentary project entitled Norwood, Where Legends Were Born. This special film is a feature length documentary that chronicles the entire history of the Norwood Assembly plant and will be shown at MOTORFest 2026, followed by a special Q&A session.
MOTORFest will combine the best of both of these events! It will bring the best of previous gatherings, but will add features and events that will make this a first-of-its-kind, incredible celebration! The event is open to the public, and all makes and models of anything motorized is welcome. The show will feature a special “Built-here” section of Norwood built cars.