Status: Gone, replaced by hardtop parking lot. (Michigandriveins.com 5/30/99)

Update: The Auto Theatre was replaced by the Cinema Carousel indoor theatre. The marquee used by the Cinema Carousel appears to be the original Auto Theatre marquee. (Michigandriveins.com 4/26/03)

Update: The Marquee at the Cinema Carousel Is indeed the original Auto Drive In Marquee, I spent many a night in my youth changing it. No wimpy pole changers back then either -- just a rackety old ladder & a lot of dumb teenage "no fear" There was a little updating on it due to City regulations. BTW, it still runs off of the original mechanical timer located underneath & out of public view. (Dan Goodman 3/2306)

News Article: To Erect $50,000 Open Air Theatre Near Airport Road - An open air theatre to be one of the most modern of its kind in Michigan and estimated to cost in excess of $50,000. Is planned on U.S. 31 near the Airport road by the Central Drive-in Theatres Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio. Operators of a chain of such amusement enterprises. The corporation, with plans also completed for Theatres near South Bend Indianapolis, has filed application with the office of the Housing Expeditor for construction of buildings here. The firm has purchased three acres on U.S. 31 and has started grading it. Should approval be obtained for the necessary buildings, the Theatre will open May 15th. Sale of the land was handled through the Muskegon Property Management Corporation. The Theatre to be open seven months of the year, will have a capacity of 700 cars. A 60-foot screen will be installed in one of the two buildings. The second building will include a refreshment stand, Washrooms, a ticket office, and a managers office will be installed. A sound system, with individual loud speakers for each car will also be installed. The Area will be graded with gravel at varied heights to enable each car to be slightly above the one in front. The entire area will be surrounded by an eight-foot fence. Construction of the theatre is being handled by the West and Rublein Construction company. Albert Oaks of Cleveland, is handling local arrangements for the Corporation. (Muskegon Chronicle 4/10/47 - Dan Goodman 3/25/06)

News Article: Incorporate new Drive in Theatre - The Muskegon Drive in Theatre Company now building a new Out-Door Theatre on US-31 near the Airport road, and the Reynolds Products company a gift manufacturing plant at Roberts street and Keating Ave both filed articles with the Michigan Corporation and Securities Commission Wednesday. The Theatre concern Capitalized at $10,000. And the Manufacturing concern for $36,000. The Theatre Corporation with Theatres near South Bend and Indianapolis, now is waiting Civilian Production Administration Approval for completion of the Muskegon Theatre. An application Has been filed for construction at $25,000. Grading work is now near completion by the West and Rublien Construction Company. The Theatre concern has headquarters in Cleveland. Officials are Sam C. and Joseph C. Lombardo and John G. Masoni. The Theatre, estimated to cost $50,000. Including equipment, will have a capacity of 700 cars. Sound systems with individual speakers for each car will be installed. (Muskegon Chronicle 6/14/47 - Dan Goodman 3/25/06)

Update: Jack Loeks Theatres closed both the Auto and North Drive-In's in Muskegon on Septmeber 1st, 1980. The Auto's last features were "Bloodeaters" with "The Night Of The Demon" and "Horror Hospital", while the North's last features were "The Rose with "Norma Rae". (Michigandriveins.com 3/26/06)