There’s something about a classic car that invokes nostalgia for a time when the automobile was more than just a mode of transportation, it was a status symbol. This nostalgia is reflected in everything from movies like “American Graffiti” and “Grease,” to TV shows like “Mad Men” and fashion trends that still draw inspiration from the retro styling of classic cars. Classic car museums are instrumental in keeping this legacy alive, showcasing the cars and their impact on culture through exhibits and educational programs.
If you’re looking to see classic cars in person, there are several museums across the country worth a visit. Here are seven of the best:
The oldest museum dedicated to automobiles, this collection classic car museums was gathered by industrialist and automotive pioneer Ransom E. Olds, who founded two significant car companies, including Oldsmobile and REO. The museum, located in the state capital of Lansing, Michigan, is not as big as some of the others on this list, but it’s an excellent place to immerse yourself in automotive history and learn about the industry that gave birth to the modern auto world.
The Northeast Classic Car Museum in Cooperstown, New York, features more than 160 vehicles on display in five connected buildings. The museum is a non-profit educational facility that collects, preserves, interprets and exhibits vehicles related to the evolution of transportation with particular emphasis on the role of the automobile and its influence on American culture.
Unlike many of the other museums on this list, the Gilmore Car Museum in Battle Creek, Michigan is not a private collector’s collection, but rather one that was started by businessman Donald Gilmore to honor his father. The museum’s collection spans from the early 1900s to the present day, with a particular focus on the classic cars of the late 1960s and 1970s. A special attraction is the restored Futurliner No. 10, which was part of General Motors’ famed Parade of Progress.
If you’re in the mood for a Ferrari, the place to go is Motorland in Sarasota, Florida. The collection focuses on Ferraris and other exotic, European and one-of-a-kind cars from the likes of Ferdinand Porsche and Enzo Ferrari. The cars are displayed in their historic settings, and each vehicle is accompanied by a plaque that tells you its year and model.
A neurosurgeon by profession, Frederick Simeone also happens to have one of the most important collections of vintage racing cars in the world. The museum, which he designed himself, is set in historic racing environments with dioramas of venues such as Watkins Glen, the Bonneville Salt Flats, the Targa Florio and more. Simeone uses a mix of marketing methods, from brochure racks around town to a full-time marketing director and glossy ads in vintage car magazines.
If you’re visiting the museum to do some shopping, the gift shop is stocked with automobile-themed home goods (placemats, mugs) and clothing. And for the car lover who just needs to add to their collection, the museum offers a large selection of new and used cars in its dealership.