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Classic Car Museums

If you want to get clued up and inspired about classic cars, then you really need to go and visit a great classic car museum. The question is, which museums are the good ones? Any number of places might claim to offer a great selection of classic cars on display, but how can you sift through them to find the ones that make the trip worthwhile? Whether you are a interested in one-of-one cars, concept cars, or even classic muscle cars, there is a museum for you! 

Below is our handy guide to some of the best classic car museums in the US right now:

Gilmore Car Museum - Hickory Corners, MI

Located around 30 minutes away from our Grand Rapids Showroom, the Gilmore Car Museum is our personal favorites! Their mission is to tell the story of America's Automotive past. They showcase the history, heritage, and social impact of nearly every type of vehicle. They have an extremely impressive collection of rotating cars and exhibits that create one of the best museum experiences that can be had! The Gilmore Car Museum is constantly hosting classes, car shows, concerts, and various other events. Just a heads up for first timers, be sure to clear your whole day! You're bound to get lost in the experience. They have a collection that includes some of the best classic cars of all time

Website: https://gilmorecarmuseum.org/

Gilmore Car Museum

The Revs Institute - Naples, FL

If classic race cars are what you crave the most, then the Collier Collection at the Revs Institute in Florida is arguably the best one you’ll ever see. One of its particular specialties is its collection of Porsche race cars from the 1960s and 1970s. These are really a sight to behold. The Revs institute is open only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10:00am to 4:00pm, and currently they only take pre-booked ticket visitors.

Website: https://revsinstitute.org/ 

America’s Car Museum - Tacoma, WA

Residents and visitors to the Pacific northwest should pay a visit to this display, which proudly proclaims to be “celebrating America’s love affair with the automobile.”  The museum houses more than 250 examples of stunning classic cars, but also other unique hallmark exhibits like their Learning Lab to teach students about automotive technology past and present. The regular opening times are from Thursday to Monday from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and it’s open for private events on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets must be bought in advance.

Website: https://www.americascarmuseum.org/

Antique Automobile Club of America - Hershey, PA

For those who see the classic car era as stretching back to before the war, and who are in the northeast will find a great exhibit in Hershey, PA. If you wanted to see how a Tucker 48 was built, since there were only 51 ever made, then you’ll find 3 of them in this museum. You won’t find more in a single location. The museum also features many pre-war cars, as well as bus and railway exhibits, and a license plate collectors display. It’s open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Tickets must be bought online.

Website: https://www.aacamuseum.org/visit/ 

National Corvette Museum - Bowling Green, KY

This museum in Kentucky was home to a bona fide automotive disaster in 2014 when a sinkhole opened up at the location and swallowed 8 cars, including the millionth Corvette ever made. Luckily, the millionth Corvette was restored to glory and returned to its place of honor. In true “keep calm and carry on” fashion, the sinkhole has now become a part of the exhibit. Until late April 2022, they also have a special exhibit called “Corvette Powered”, which features stories of Corvette engines and how they have powered some of the world’s most amazing cars. They also have an impressive collection of the 1963 Corvette. The museum’s hours from January 1 to March 1, 2022 are Monday to Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm and from 9:00am to 5:00pm on the weekends. From March 1 to October 31, it changes to 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Sunday.

Website: https://www.corvettemuseum.org/

National Corvette Museum 

“Driving America” at The Henry Ford - Dearborn, MI

Despite the name and location, this exhibit isn’t all about Ford cars. The Driving America exhibit is housed at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, and showcases everything from the examples of the earliest cars built, to the most modern contraptions. They even have the Rosa Parks bus, a lasting symbol of the struggle for civil rights in America. This exhibit is the perfect choice for the family who can’t agree on which car museum to go to. It covers everything and the kitchen sink. 

Website: https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/henry-ford-museum/exhibits/driving-america/ 

The National Automobile Museum - Reno, NV

If the “Driving America” exhibit is too far, then try this museum in Reno. It’s open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm and exhibits 200 incredible cars complete with interesting handmade facades and scenes to really make it all come alive. One big point of interest is the Dymaxion car, the only one in existence, on display at the National Automobile museum. You’ll also find the winner of the 1908 NYC to Paris auto race, and James Dean’s 1949 Mercury from “Rebel Without a Cause.” You definitely won't find many affordable classic cars in their collection! 

Website: https://automuseum.org/ 


The Dymaxion Car - Image Courtesy of Wikipedia