When you travel through the western United States on either a vacation trip or for business, you may wish to set aside a bit of time to avail yourself of some excellent displays of vintage cars. There are many excellent places to see America's classic car collections in the west and I want to point out several of them. Some sites are full automotive museums and others are small collections but all make an interesting travel stop. Antique car museums are great places to learn more of America's 20th century culture.
Blackhawk Museum
One of the finest car museums I have visited is in Danville California just about 25 miles east of the San Francisco bay area. The Blackhawk Museum located at 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville displays a massive collection of the very earliest to the contemporary automobile. This antique car museum has one of the most extensive collections of classic cars on the west coast. The auto museum operates as a non-profit and was created to ensure that significant automotive treasures would be exhibited for both public enjoyment and educational enrichment. If you're in the east bay area of San Francisco it's an excellent addition to your trip itinerary. The Blackhawk Museum is one of the best classic car museums in America. You'll enjoy your visit there.
Our AutoMuseumOnline site also has a gallery with photos and the history of many vintage and classic cars and trucks.
Russell's Truck Stop Auto Museum
Another stop in quite different surroundings yet has a terrific collection of vintage cars and trucks is an automobile museum located inside a large truck stop on Interstate 40 in Endee New Mexico. Endee is just a few mile west of the New Mexico and Texas border directly off the Interstate. When you exit at Endee, the first thing you'll notice is the truck stop plaza. When you walk inside and go to the rear of the building you'll come across another large room with a terrific display of classic cars and trucks. This small automobile museum makes a unique rest stop while traveling Interstate 40.
It's truly a gem of a car museum. It's not nearly as large as others but the collection is absolutely superb. In fact, you'll marvel at what they have on display, including the beautiful 1959 Corvette shown at right.
The stop you'll be looking for is Russells Truck Stop and Classic Car Museum. Entrance to the auto museum is free of charge however you can leave a donation. If you happen to enjoy those older muscle cars, you'll find them in great shape at Russells. The car restorations have been done with great care.
Heritage Farmstead Museum
If you happen to be traveling through the north suburbs of Dallas Texas, there is a Ford Model T on display at the Heritage Farmstead Museum in Plano Texas, about 25 miles north of downtown Dallas. This outdoor museum features fine displays of late 1800's and turn of the century pioneer homestead exhibits but additionally it owns a collection of not only a genuine Ford Model T but a fine collection of vintage early 1900's farm tractors, one of which is an old Fordson Tractor produced by the Ford Motor Company.
If you are in the Dallas Texas area, the Heritage Museum is located at 1900 W. 15th Street in Plano Texas. Take US Hwy 75 north from Dallas, exit at 15th St in Plano and turn left and follow 15th St about 2 miles. Museum is on the left.
Petersen Automotive Museum
For those living in southern California, the Petersen Automotive Museum located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles is a well known classic car museum. The Petersen Automotive Museum was started in 1994 by Margie and Robert E. Petersen. The Petersen's donated over $30 million to make this non profit museum a reality..The vintage car museum exhibits over 150 rare and classic cars, trucks and motorcycles. This four floor museum also includes race cars, celebrity cars, concept cars and cars used in movies. This western auto museum is dedicated to the exploration and presentation of the automobile in regards to it's impact on American life. You'll also find special events and exhibits which rotate and change with various automotive themes. This automobile museum attracts thousands annually.
Forney Museum of Transportation
Another terrific vintage car museum is the Forney Museum of Transportation in Denver Colorado. The museum is located at 4303 Brighton Blvd in Denver. The Forney Museum of Transportation began as the private collection of Mr J. D. Forney of Fort Collins Colorado. As you will see when visiting this museum, Mr. Forney liked all means of transportation and along with vintage cars you'll find steam locomotives, steam tractors and much much more. One very interesting exhibit at the Forney Museum is the 1923 Kissell Speedster which was owned by the famous flier Amelia Earhart. It was said that Earhart called her car the "Kizzle," but later referred to it as the "Yellow Peril.". Amelia Earhart and her mother made a 7,000 mile round trip in this car in 1924 going from Boston to Los Angeles and then returning to Boston via Canada. To be sure, a very daring auto trip considering road conditions in that era. This was even before historic Route 66 was opened.
Mr. Forney loved collecting anything to do with transportation and engaged in car restoration. At first he was storing his vintage auto collection in his garages. When the collection totaled more than 200 items he knew it was time to find larger quarters.
After several moves to a variety of locations including the historic old Tramway Building and teaming up with another Denver area collector, the transportation museum finally found a permanent home.
It certainly had to be big because along the way the Union Pacific railroad donated the Alco "Big Boy" locomotive to the museum. A warehouse facility was found on Brighton Blvd. directly next to the Denver Coliseum. This was purchased and renovations got under way in 1998. was purchased. Renovations began in 1998. Thanks to the work of many volunteers most of the collection was at the new museum by the spring of 1999. It took 2 years of acquiring, permits, rail track laying, etc to relocate the Big Boy locomotive to its new permanent home on Brighton Blvd.
Lemay-American Car Museum
Visit the amazing LeMay-America's Car Museum located at 2712 E. D Street in downtown Tacoma Washington. The ACM will feature over 500 cars, trucks and motorcycles from private collectors, companies and from the famous LeMay collection. The massive automobile museum will be 165,000 square feet in size and will no doubt be a popular car enthusiast destination for people from around the world. There may very well not be another one like it.
Per the car museums website, the ACM is conceived on the premise that there is an important, unique automotive story to tell about the past, present and future of cars, trucks and motorcycles. From what I understand the ACM in Tacoma will also serve as a social gathering place for car enthusiasts where automobile social networks can be established. The scope and size of this museum plus it's massive collection will make it a premiere classic car museum venue.
As a side note, the Chicago Sun Times has announced the creation of another new vintage car museum, this one in the windy city of Chicago Illinois. This new car museum is planned to feature a 300 plus car collection. According to the Chicago news story, some of the automobiles to be displayed in this new museum include Rolls-Royces, Packards and Duesenbergs. Also a 1920s fire engine and an Amphicar, an amphibious auto that Lyndon Johnson once owned. At this time the classic car museum will be called the Imperial Auto Collection and there is no fee to visit. The museum location is 3111 N. Knox, just east of Belmont and Cicero in Chicago Illinois.
Dick's Classic Garage
Here is a wonderful museum with dozens of classic and vintage cars and trucks. Located in San Marcos Texas just off Interstate 35, Dicks' Classic Garage is part of the Central Texas Museum of Automotive History. The museum is dedicated to the display and history of the automobile. This museum displays cars from the 1950's through the 1950's. Address is 120 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, TX. For more information see website www.dicksclassicgarage.com
There are a great many classic car museums spread throughout the United States. Each has a very interesting story to tell and it's really a good way to learn more about how America evolved along with the automobile during the 20th century. If you're looking to possibly purchase a classic automobile, some of these museums may be able to connect you with possible sellers.On top of that, when you visit one of these car museums you're assured to take some pretty good pictures. Hopefully you'll have an opportunity to visit some of the ones listed above on your next vacation or weekend outing.
(Corvette,Model T from author's private collection. Remainder public domain)
Blackhawk Museum
One of the finest car museums I have visited is in Danville California just about 25 miles east of the San Francisco bay area. The Blackhawk Museum located at 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville displays a massive collection of the very earliest to the contemporary automobile. This antique car museum has one of the most extensive collections of classic cars on the west coast. The auto museum operates as a non-profit and was created to ensure that significant automotive treasures would be exhibited for both public enjoyment and educational enrichment. If you're in the east bay area of San Francisco it's an excellent addition to your trip itinerary. The Blackhawk Museum is one of the best classic car museums in America. You'll enjoy your visit there.
Our AutoMuseumOnline site also has a gallery with photos and the history of many vintage and classic cars and trucks.
Russell's Truck Stop Auto Museum
Another stop in quite different surroundings yet has a terrific collection of vintage cars and trucks is an automobile museum located inside a large truck stop on Interstate 40 in Endee New Mexico. Endee is just a few mile west of the New Mexico and Texas border directly off the Interstate. When you exit at Endee, the first thing you'll notice is the truck stop plaza. When you walk inside and go to the rear of the building you'll come across another large room with a terrific display of classic cars and trucks. This small automobile museum makes a unique rest stop while traveling Interstate 40.
 |
| 1959 Corvette |
It's truly a gem of a car museum. It's not nearly as large as others but the collection is absolutely superb. In fact, you'll marvel at what they have on display, including the beautiful 1959 Corvette shown at right.
The stop you'll be looking for is Russells Truck Stop and Classic Car Museum. Entrance to the auto museum is free of charge however you can leave a donation. If you happen to enjoy those older muscle cars, you'll find them in great shape at Russells. The car restorations have been done with great care.
Heritage Farmstead Museum
If you happen to be traveling through the north suburbs of Dallas Texas, there is a Ford Model T on display at the Heritage Farmstead Museum in Plano Texas, about 25 miles north of downtown Dallas. This outdoor museum features fine displays of late 1800's and turn of the century pioneer homestead exhibits but additionally it owns a collection of not only a genuine Ford Model T but a fine collection of vintage early 1900's farm tractors, one of which is an old Fordson Tractor produced by the Ford Motor Company.
If you are in the Dallas Texas area, the Heritage Museum is located at 1900 W. 15th Street in Plano Texas. Take US Hwy 75 north from Dallas, exit at 15th St in Plano and turn left and follow 15th St about 2 miles. Museum is on the left.
Petersen Automotive Museum
 |
| Ford Model T |
Forney Museum of Transportation
Another terrific vintage car museum is the Forney Museum of Transportation in Denver Colorado. The museum is located at 4303 Brighton Blvd in Denver. The Forney Museum of Transportation began as the private collection of Mr J. D. Forney of Fort Collins Colorado. As you will see when visiting this museum, Mr. Forney liked all means of transportation and along with vintage cars you'll find steam locomotives, steam tractors and much much more. One very interesting exhibit at the Forney Museum is the 1923 Kissell Speedster which was owned by the famous flier Amelia Earhart. It was said that Earhart called her car the "Kizzle," but later referred to it as the "Yellow Peril.". Amelia Earhart and her mother made a 7,000 mile round trip in this car in 1924 going from Boston to Los Angeles and then returning to Boston via Canada. To be sure, a very daring auto trip considering road conditions in that era. This was even before historic Route 66 was opened.
After several moves to a variety of locations including the historic old Tramway Building and teaming up with another Denver area collector, the transportation museum finally found a permanent home.
It certainly had to be big because along the way the Union Pacific railroad donated the Alco "Big Boy" locomotive to the museum. A warehouse facility was found on Brighton Blvd. directly next to the Denver Coliseum. This was purchased and renovations got under way in 1998. was purchased. Renovations began in 1998. Thanks to the work of many volunteers most of the collection was at the new museum by the spring of 1999. It took 2 years of acquiring, permits, rail track laying, etc to relocate the Big Boy locomotive to its new permanent home on Brighton Blvd.
Lemay-American Car Museum
Visit the amazing LeMay-America's Car Museum located at 2712 E. D Street in downtown Tacoma Washington. The ACM will feature over 500 cars, trucks and motorcycles from private collectors, companies and from the famous LeMay collection. The massive automobile museum will be 165,000 square feet in size and will no doubt be a popular car enthusiast destination for people from around the world. There may very well not be another one like it.
 |
| 1939 Jaguar 3.5 litre |
As a side note, the Chicago Sun Times has announced the creation of another new vintage car museum, this one in the windy city of Chicago Illinois. This new car museum is planned to feature a 300 plus car collection. According to the Chicago news story, some of the automobiles to be displayed in this new museum include Rolls-Royces, Packards and Duesenbergs. Also a 1920s fire engine and an Amphicar, an amphibious auto that Lyndon Johnson once owned. At this time the classic car museum will be called the Imperial Auto Collection and there is no fee to visit. The museum location is 3111 N. Knox, just east of Belmont and Cicero in Chicago Illinois.
Dick's Classic Garage
Here is a wonderful museum with dozens of classic and vintage cars and trucks. Located in San Marcos Texas just off Interstate 35, Dicks' Classic Garage is part of the Central Texas Museum of Automotive History. The museum is dedicated to the display and history of the automobile. This museum displays cars from the 1950's through the 1950's. Address is 120 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, TX. For more information see website www.dicksclassicgarage.com
There are a great many classic car museums spread throughout the United States. Each has a very interesting story to tell and it's really a good way to learn more about how America evolved along with the automobile during the 20th century. If you're looking to possibly purchase a classic automobile, some of these museums may be able to connect you with possible sellers.On top of that, when you visit one of these car museums you're assured to take some pretty good pictures. Hopefully you'll have an opportunity to visit some of the ones listed above on your next vacation or weekend outing.
(Corvette,Model T from author's private collection. Remainder public domain)
