Pat and Marti Herman, of Royal Oak with their kids Michael, 6, and Megan, 8, in their 1969 Plymouth Road Runner, pictured Thursday July 12, 2012. (Oakland Press Photo/Vaughn Gurganian)

From The Oakland Press

Royal Oak father passes on his passion for cars

Last Updated: 7/17/2012 4:35:27 PM

By DANIELLE DIACONO
Special to The Oakland Press

Root beer floats and footlong coney dogs are not the only things luring the Herman family to the A&W in Clawson on Thursday nights.
“My kids really enjoy the Cruise Nights there,” Pat Herman of Royal Oak said.
Herman, an automotive supplier and “true car lover”, said he likes to involve his children, 8-year-old Megan and 6-year-old Michael, as much as possible, so they can share his “passion for cruisin’”.
“I want to expose them to it, so they can find an interest besides video games and the Internet,” Herman said. “My wife isn’t that into cars, but I bring her along, too.”
Herman owns a ‘62 Plymouth Sport Fury, a ‘68 Chrysler 300 Convertible and a ‘69 Road Runner Convertible. However, he said he drives the Chrysler and Road Runner the most.
“Those two are easier to get to in my two-and-a-half-car garage,” Herman said. “I had to put the other one on skates to maneuver it to fit.”
Prior to having children, Herman and his wife, Marti, took the Chrysler, purchased in 1996, on a Lake Eerie Tour, up to the Sleeping Bear Dunes and also to many local shows.
“The Chrysler is a good cruiser since it’s automatic,” Herman said. “It’s the type of car you can drive across the country in and take it whenever or wherever you want.”
In contrast, the Road Runner, purchased at the end of last year, has a manual four-speed transmission.
“It’s trickier in bumper to bumper traffic,” Herman said. “I’ve gotten a lot more strength in my left leg though.”
Herman said his parents were never into cars, and he simply “appeared” liking them.
Just recently, Megan has been taking after her father and developed a love for license plates.
“When my wife found this out, she said, ‘She’s your daughter!’,” Herman said.
Herman, as well as his children, are looking forward to this year’s Dream Cruise. He said he takes his children to a different event every day leading up to it.
“I like to keep it family-oriented and keep passing along the torch,” Herman said.

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