7 Automotive Museums Worth A Detour
If you’re looking to take a trip down memory lane, there’s no better way than to visit some of the great automotive museums dedicated to the preservation of our love affair with steel.
Photo Courtesy the National Automobile Museum
National Automobile Museum Reno, NV
Housing over 200 cars, including 5 movie cars and 8 record setting vehicles. With vehicles displayed in authentic street scenes and backgrounds, the unique cars come to life. Taking a detour to visit this large collection of cars is well worth your time.
1956 Chevy and 1951 Studebaker parked in front of vintage fast food signs. | The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford Dearborn, MI
Among the multiple attractions on the 250 acre, Henry Ford campus in Dearborn, Mi. you will find the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. Inside of this museum you will find the city bus where Rosa Parks took a stand…by taking a seat. You will also find countless rare automobiles, from the first 1865 Roper to the first Mustang ever produced. This is must-see museum with something for everyone.
DeLorean, Ferrari, Herbie, and Christine at The Petersen Museum.
Petersen Automotive Museum Los Angeles, CA
The Petersen Automotive Museum is a place like you've never seen before. Upon visiting the museum you will be greeted by 100 tons of stainless steel surrounding the external facade. Inside, you will find an unparalleled collection of cars that have been brought together from multiple sources…some donated by the Petersen family, and even some on loan from other sources. Here are a few of the cars you will find on permanent display at the Petersen Automotive Museum:
1958 Plymouth Fury "Christine", one of only two stunt cars in running condition used during filming.
1965 Ford Zebra Mustang by Barris. Customized by George Barris for Nancy Sinatra to drive in the movie Marriage on the Rocks.
1955 Mercury D-528 concept. The largest fiberglass car ever built by Ford, it was primarily built to study different engineering features.
1942 Chrysler Windsor and 1961 Chrysler 300 at LeMay - America’s Car Museum | Photo: Chambers Bay Golf
LeMay - America's Car Museum Tacoma, WA
Just south of Seattle lies LeMay - America's Car Museum, housing a unique and diverse collection this museum will not disappoint. The museum is dedicated to the preservation of the LeMay collection, which at its peak had a collection of over 3,000 vehicles and artifacts. With 165,000 sq ft of automobile heritage and 12 rotating exhibits there is sure to be something for everyone.
1948 Tucker Torpedo | Photo: RDZ Photography
Antique Automobile Club of America Museum Hershey, PA
Located in Hershey, PA the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum houses over 100 cars in addition to multiple other permanent displays. One of standout permanent displays is the Cammack Collection which contains the largest and best known gathering of Tucker automobiles, engines, mechanicals, and automobilia.
1932 Helicron | Photo: TireBuyer.com
Lane Motor Museum Nashville, TN
Housed in a well-known Nashville landmark, the Sunbeam Bakery, this museum is home to 150 unique cars and motorcycles and also houses the largest European collection in the United States. One of the more unique items that the collection contains is the 1932 Helicron, a propeller driven car that is powered by a 4 cylinder Citroen GS engine.
Prototype Cord at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum Auburn, IN
With over 120 vehicles displayed across 3 floors, the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum houses a variety of cars; from classic cars to racing exhibits, as well as the original Auburn Automobile Company company showroom.