Museum Crash: The Automobile Driving Museum, Part 2
Today we bring you Part 2 of our visit to the Automobile Drivng Museum. There are more amazing cars to see at this gem of a museum, but some of these vehicles are a little different from the cars we featured in Part 1. There are just a few vehicles at the museum that don't get out on Sundays to give rides to museum goers. They stay behind glass in the Lairport Automobile Showroom:
Inside the showroom are some rare beauties that are too precious to roam the streets of Los Angeles.
First up, a 1936 Packard 12 Cylinder Convertible Sedan. The 12 cylinder Packard was famous for its torque: 366 lbs/ft at 1400 rpm, at low revs. The 12 cylinder engine displaces 473.32 cubic inches displacing 175 horsepower at 3200 rpm. What you can see from this photo, and what is even more impressive in person, is the massive length of this vehicle. On the road or in the showroom, this rare beauty commands quite a presence.
Also featured in the showroom was FDRs 1932 Plymouth Town Car. As we mentioned before, the docents at the museum are incredibly knowledgeable, and full of fascinating stories about each car, and this one was no exception. This was part of his small fleet, and was kept at the Little White House, his vacation home in Warm Springs, Georgia. What makes this Plymouth unusual is that it was outfitted with an expensive Brewster body. Considerate of the dire financial times and sensitive to the American public, FDR chose this Plymouth in an effort to avoid an ostentatious display of wealth.
This 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible had its own interesting story. Bought by Howard Hughes as a gift (with an original purchase price of $5,932) for then-wife Jean Peters, they drove the car briefly and hated it. One of only 500 of this model, the car was then parked in a garage, and left untouched for years, and thus everything you see, from paint to tires, is original. With that history, it is easy to believe that is convertible has less than 2,000 miles on it!
In the corner of the showroom (and a little difficult to photograph) is a star of this collection - the Tucker, #30 of 51 Tuckers produced (including one prototype), and the personal car of Preston Tucker himself.
Outside of the showroom, there are more interesting finds. Kids and adults alike found this engine fascinating, as all of the important components were labeled.
What is particularly enjoyable about this collection is that there is quite a bit of variety - there's something that any car lover can enjoy.
This 1950 Studebaker Land Cruiser is certainly a stunner, and what a presence it has from the front!
A little known fact about the Automobile Driving Museum is that they have a facility, right there amongst the gorgeous cars, to host special events, from corporate events to weddings.
Who wouldn't want to say "I do" after walking down this aisle?
Not to be missed: these original stock certificates from Studebaker, Packard, and later the Studebaker-Packard merger, are interesting historical gems.
From the outstanding vehicles to the historical memorabilia, the Automobile Driving Museum does not disappoint. Visiting when a few of the cars are out for rides makes for a sublime Sunday.