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| August 15, 2007
JENNIE MILLER; C & G Staff Writer |
| The 57-year-old Huntington Woods resident and retired General Motors engineer currently owns seven collector cars, including two vintage Corvettes, three Mustangs, a 1969 Oldsmobile 442, a novice Supersport and a Model A Ford. "I live and breathe hot rods," Babiasz said. But he also loves to hop on a cruise ship and travel the world. In fact, he's getting ready to go on his 20th cruise this year. Over the last seven months, Babiasz's head has been spinning, he said. Following a conversation with a travel agent in the late winter, he decided to put his two hobbies together and form a new company, Catch a Wave Productions, which organizes automotive- themed ocean cruises. "To be able to combine my two passions into a business has been a dream come true for me," he said, adding that the company partnered with Travelink Services to provide the best prices for the cruises. "We are getting such a great response. In just a few short months, we've accomplished a lot." The "we" Babiasz refers to includes his business partner, Rich Truesdell, 52, of Sun City, Calif., the creator of the online magazine Automotive Traveler, who himself owns seven collector cars. The idea is to offer a fellow collector car enthusiast a way to relax on vacation with other likeminded individuals. Guests are provided with special amenities during the cruise, as well as informative seminars and activities. "We've gotten the crème de la crème of speakers for the first two cruises we've put together," Babiasz said of the Mustang Lovers Cruise and the Corvette Cruise. The eastern Caribbean Mustang cruise leaves Miami on Feb. 10, 2008, and includes Kevin Marti, owner of Marti Auto Works; Arley Whitsell, 2006 president of the Mustang Club of America; Larry Jewett, editor of Mustang Enthusiast Magazine; and other Mustang experts. This cruise is already better than 50 percent sold out. Only 35 cabins remain available on the Corvette Cruise, which is scheduled to depart Ft. Lauderdale on Jan. 19, 2008, with eight days of sailing to Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama. This cruise features David Hill, Corvette/GM chief engineer, and Werner Meier, owner/manager of Masterworks Automotive Services of Madison Heights. "I'm just so excited about this," Babiasz said. "I never dreamed it would take off like this. I'm having a ball." Babiasz lives in Huntington Woods with his wife, Nancy. Together, they have three grown children and two grandchildren. And, of course, the collector cars. "He has every guy's dream garage," Truesdell said with a laugh, adding that Babiasz has done an amazing job with the company so far. "He's relentless, in a good way." Although Truesdell has never been on an ocean cruise before, he can't wait to hop on both the Mustang Cruise and the Corvette Cruise. "I'm taking my girlfriend," he said. "I'm looking forward to it. I've never done it before, but I'm sure I'm going to love it." More cruises are in the works, including a Muscle Car Cruise and a Sky/Solstice Cruise. For more information, visit the Web site www.catchawaveproductions.com. For the online Automotive Traveler magazine, visit the Web site, www.automotivetraveler.com. You can reach Jennie Miller at jmiller@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1108. |
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