You might never get to drive one of the most iconic and interesting cars in automotive history, but you can visit some of the greatest automotive museums.
Whether you want to take a tour in the United States to see some of the cool locations or head over to Europe for a grand tour of some of the most impressive automotive collections, you’ll get to see some great stuff. The automotive industry spans more than 100 years, and during that time, nearly everything associated with driving has been thought of and tried.
Here are seven of the most iconic automotive museums to visit.
The Petersen Automotive Museum
This museum was founded in 1994 by Robert E. Petersen and his wife, Margie. It’s one of the most iconic locations in the world to see some incredible cars. You can find some of the most impressive sports cars, Hollywood movie cars, race cars, and motorcycles at this museum. If you want to enjoy a unique automotive experience, you’ll love your visit to this incredible place as you see some of the coolest cars ever, including the Le Mans-winning 1966 Gulf GT40.
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum
You don’t find Duesenbergs on the road, but you can find them at this incredible spot. If you’re looking for a great way to see some of the most amazing cars to ever come out of Indiana, this is the place to go. Located in Auburn, Indiana, this museum showcases the midwestern heritage and offers some of the most impressive cars dating back to a time when cars had some serious style and elegance to them.
The Porsche Museum
During your visit to Germany, a stop at the Porsche Museum should be on the list of any car enthusiast. The Porsche name has been around since 1948 and has become one of the most iconic sports car brands in the world. You’ll find more than 80 vehicles at this 5,6000 square meter location, offering some of the coolest and rarest Porsche models ever created. The building is supported by three V-shaped columns, offering the architectural excellence you want to enjoy when you see this cool location in Germany.
National Automotive & Truck Museum of the United States
While in Auburn, Indiana, another cool place you can visit is this museum. This is where you’ll find an impressive array of trucks, postwar American cars, and items, including pedal cars and car toys. There’s a fully restored Futurliner No. 10 that is the crown jewel of the collection. This truck once went on tour around the country as part of GM’s Parade of Progress. If you want to see this Futurliner, you want to make sure it will be on display at the museum as it still goes out on tour.
The Ferrari Museums
Some of the most visited attractions in Italy are the Ferrari Museums. There are two of them, and they are only 12 miles apart. The Ferrari Museum in Maranello offers a tour of cars that have been a huge part of the racing history of this brand. The Museo Enzo Ferrari in Modena has much more to do with the history of the brand and how it began its time in the automotive world.
Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum
This small town in Michigan is rich in automotive history, and this museum has been built around some of that history. Ypsilanti is home to Willow Run, an airport and factory that produced WWII bombers. The museum is located where a former Hudson dealership resided, and the storied Fabulous Hudson Hornet NASCAR racer is on display. You’ll also find a Tucker 48 because Ypsilanti is where Preston Tucker lived when launching his car company. This might not be one of the most famous museums on the list, but it’s worth the drive to Ypsilanti.
The Henry Ford/Greenfield Village
One of the most popular locations on this list is The Henry Ford. This museum has an immense collection of vehicles, not just cars. You’ll find industrial artifacts, airplanes, locomotives, and vehicles. There’s an amazing array of vehicular history located in this museum in Dearborn, Michigan, making it worth your time and energy to visit this cool place. Plan an overnight visit; it takes at least two days to tour this automotive museum and enjoy everything it has to offer.
These seven automotive museums should be on your list of places to visit. Some are easy to get to and only take an afternoon to tour, while others require an overnight stay.
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