FLINT TWP, MI – Mark Wahlberg has begun to make Michigan his home away from home.
The actor made his latest visit on Sunday, June 23 when he stopped in Flint Township to take part in the celebration of the third Wahlburgers restaurant to open in the state.
Wahlberg became familiar with the Wolverine state while filming 2017’s “Transformers: The Last Knight” in Detroit.
Michigan Wahlburgers restaurants previously opened August 2016 in Greektown in Detroit and April 2018 Taylor. A fourth location is on the way in Royal Oak.
At Sunday’s Wahlburgers opening in the Outdoor Village at Genesee Valley Center, the star of films including “Ted,” “Lone Survivor,” and “Four Brothers” was asked what his favorite thing is about Michigan.
“You know what my favorite thing is…(Woodward) Dream Cruise,” he said. “All the classic cars. The original owner driving that thing.”
Wahlberg hopes to be in Royal Oak for this year’s dream cruise for the unveiling of the Royal Oak Wahlburgers at 13 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue.
The 2019 version of the cruise is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 17.
“I was going to ship out my own 1971 (Oldsmobile) 442 Convertible with the C130 package,” said Wahlberg to brother Paul, who joined him at Sunday’s event.
“That’s the best. You talk about Americana…People cruise and people are out there, you know, tailgating, hanging out, they got their hoods open,” he continued. “Everybody showing off their cars. I love the original cars. I love the couple still driving that 60-something Camaro, you know, or the Monte Carlo.”
During the filming of “Transformers,” Wahlberg said he was able to “get a little closer look” at the General Motors Heritage Collection and some “special, special vehicles.”
The 81,000-square foot collection located in the General Motors Heritage Center in Sterling Heights features more than 165 vehicles on dating back more than 100 years including a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette, 1905 Buick Model C, 1955 Cadillac Coupe DeVille and 1902 Oldsmobile Pirate Beach.
