http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/ Latest blog entries from America's Car Museum en-us Sat, 25 May 2013 20:30:07 PDT Sat, 25 May 2013 20:30:07 PDT LeMay - America's Car Museum CMS http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/piece-american-history-uncovered/ Researching the cars here at ACM often reminds me of genealogy research, where you look at people’s ancestry, birth date, marital status, immigration, residence, military, professional, fame/infamy, and, finally, death records. Similarly, vehicles have very comparable records, a birth date, place they were created, licensing history and, perhaps, histories of being moved from state to state (or country!). There are records showing ownership changes and whether the car has been restored. The titles are just like our own birth records and can tell us volumes concerning past owners and, hopefully, the vehicle’s “family” pedigree.While researching the records for ACM’s 1917 Crane Simplex Chassis No. 2358, I found a small reference that the car had possibly been owned by the J.D. Rockefeller Family. John D. Rockefeller founded and built the Standard Oil Company empire in the late 19th century, eventually becoming one of the most prominent and wealthiest men in the country, so it was likely this fine luxury automobile built in New York might have been in his stable.I went looking for concrete evidence to make sure this claim was true. ... Mon, 12 Mar 2012 18:30:00 PDT http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/to-craft-finest-automobiles-in/ The 1956 Continental Mark II"To craft the finest automobiles in America" - was the motto of short-lived Continental Division of Ford Motor Company, and during its two year production run, the division produced the Continental Mark II series. Our newest addition to the collection is this 1956 Continental Mark II, donated to America’s Car Museum by Steve Boone, owner of Northwest Harley Davidson in Lacy, WA. Steve, who has been a tireless LeMay- America's Car Museum supporter, is a member of the Museum's Board of Directors and the Chairperson of ACM’s Collection Committee.The Mark II is a beautiful display example of Ford’s forward thinking in engineering design and attention to quality. When Steve acquired the car he said it caught his eye for its sleek look and luxury interior. “I thought it was just a beautiful car!”, Steve tells us. ... Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:09:00 PST http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/beautiful-bullet-nose-coupe/ 1951 Studebaker Champion StarlightAmerica's Car Museum received an extra special gift in our stocking this year from Dick Hannah of Vancouver Washington. This 1951 Studebaker Champion Starlight Coupe was lovingly restored by Dick Hannah Dealerships (under Mr. Hannah's direction) in 2009 and was frequently on display at the dealership's showroom.Studebaker's design team created the Starlight under the direction of  legendary Raymond Loewy and final designs were executed by Virgil Exner.  The daring 1950-51 Bullet-nose Studebaker has become one of the most iconic American automotive designs. ... Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:14:00 PST http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/hot-rod-shop-deuce-delivery/ 1932 Ford Sedan Delivery...is our newest addition to the collection generously donated to America's Car Museum by Gerald Greenfield and Family, of Lake Tapps, Washington.By 1931 sales of the aging Model A were plummeting. Ford knew that they needed a modern design to revitalize the company. Working around the clock they designed and built the first economical V-8. The first of what was to become the "Deuce" models rolled off the line in April of 1932. The Sedan Delivery truck was only produced for the last two months of the year and only 402 were built making it one of the rarest Fords of all time.This car's story has been featured in the June, 2009 edition of Rod and Custom Magazine, CarTech's America's Coolest Rides Station Wagons, and has won many awards including the 2011 Goodguys Pacific NW Best Commercial entry. ... Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:12:00 PST http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/oldsmobile/ Car collectors are the same world over.  Recently, I was contacted by the son of Mr. Peter Gifford of Dunlop Australia who restored ACM’s 1926 Oldsmobile Holden 4 door touring car in the late 1970’s.  After several fun email exchanges between son Michael and Peter’s wife Connie, I received a package in the mail with photographs of the car’s restoration, along with documents, and the Canberra collector license plate which was on the car in many of the photos included with the package. The following from Mr. Gifford was also enclosed: “Six months ago an old friend rang me and said he had seen the car in a museum in America. This of course started my son Michael tracking this information until finally locating it. It is a credit to those people who have owned the Olds since I sold it in 1981 to Darrell Cawthorn in Sydney. ... Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:56:00 PDT http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/1962-volkswagen-karmann-ghia-think/ This post comes from our own Autobiography article of OpenRoad; our quarterly publication for members. If you would like to receive this award winning publication, sign up to become a member today! Otherwise, you can download the full article from OpenRoad, here. ... Tue, 10 May 2011 13:37:00 PDT http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/introducing-avanti-1001-rescue-project/ ACM has launched the "Avanti #1001 Rescue Project" to restore our 1963 Studebaker Avanti (which is #1001/body 101), the first production Avanti in America.  If funds can be generated, the museum will cosmetically restore the car to display condition and complete a full mechanical restoration on the world’s first production Avanti. ... Thu, 21 Apr 2011 11:43:00 PDT http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/2011-event-series-hosted-traveling/ Whether you live in the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest, or the East Coast, LeMay - AMERICA’S CAR MUSEUM is actively hosting and attending events throughout the country - and now, the world! Here’s a sneak peak at the exciting events happening in 2011. Click here for more details on these and other events. ... Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:51:00 PST http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/strictly-continental/ The first Continental was a customized Lincoln Zephyr built in 1939, at the request of Ford Motor Company President Edsel Ford.  The car was built to be for his use at his vacation home in Palm Beach Florida. As the story goes, upon returning from a trip to Europe, Edsel went to the Ford Company’s head designer, Bob Gregorie and asked him to build a “strictly continental” car for his personal use. ... Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:40:00 PST http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/whats-flames/ In answer to the first question, I can say without the slightest hesitation or equivocation, I have absolutely no idea and neither does anyone else. As for their meaning, the answer is both obvious"they look cool"and a bit more complex, involving how we, as human beings, are  visually and emotionally hard-wired.Download a copy of this article here. ... Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:04:00 PST http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/smart-cars-turned-vanity-toys/ In the early 2000’s Mtv “pimped” ordinary vehicles into a one of a kind, eye catching dream cars on their hit show, Pimp My Ride. Tricked out with accessories from drinking fountains in the center console and five plus subwoofer sound systems, to disco balls in the backseat, Mtv started a public craze to have the most off the wall car - signifying the owners status as a “pimp.” Many gave the show flack for their obvious consumerism and disregard for the function of a vehicle, however, others continued this trend well in to the next decade. ... Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:22:00 PST http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/new-nissan-leaf/ By Erin BaileyThe Nissan Leaf leads the way in electric automobiles as a ZEV (Zero Emissions Vehicle) utilizing an 80kW AC synchronous electric motor that reach speeds up to 90 MPH. The Leaf is a five passenger, five door 100% electric vehicle with a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery and a 3.3 kW onboard charger. These features provide a vehicle that can travel 100 miles before needing a charge, making an impression on the carbon footprint of its owners. Moreover, EPA Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule, a laboratory test commonly referred to as the LA4 test cycle, which represents city driving conditions placed the LEAF at a top speed of 57 MPH in the city. ... Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:03:00 PST http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/delorean-trip/ This post comes from Darryl Tinnerstet, Logistics Coordinator for 
LeMay - AMERICA'S CAR MUSEUMBackground: from 1986 through 2004 I operated Specialty Automotive in Olympia, WA, selling new and used DeLorean auto parts worldwide, while also working full time as an engineer.  During that time I restored/refurbished 7 DeLoreans and parted out 6 more.  Over those 18 years of traveling the country buying up dealer parts inventories and restorable cars I naturally had a few interesting adventures.  The following is the second of several true stories from that period. ... Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:09:00 PST http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/1947-packard-clipper/ This 1947 Packard Clipper Deluxe Eight sedan is our newest addition to LeMay-America’s Car Museum Collection. The car was donated by Club Auto Member, Christopher Bayley of Seattle. Mr. Bayley states “To me the Dutch Darrin designed Clipper is the most beautiful "modern" Packard. Some of us even think the Silver Cloud I Rolls Royce and comparable Bentley mimicked the look of these cars.” ... Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:22:00 PST http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/green-car-year-award/ By Erin BaileyGreen Car Journal recently announced the finalist for the Green Car of the Year Award. The finalists include the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, 2011 Ford Fiesta, 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and the 2011 Nissan LEAF. These cars are assessed by a group of jurors from top environmental organizations including Carl Pope, chairman of the Sierra Club; Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council; Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society and Matt Petersen, president of Global Green USA. The jury also includes car enthusiast Jay Leno, and automotive icon Carroll Shelby.   ... Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:12:00 PST http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/teeny-tiny-productions-starting/ Starting from the Beginning…In 2009, Burt Richmond & Diane Fitzgerald, long-time residents of Chicago’s historic Old Town neighborhood and car enthusiasts, had their first exhibition of microcars and minicars.  In conjunction with the 60th Old Town Art Fair, which was just 2 blocks away, Diane and Burt displayed eight small cars (complete with information plaques) in front of their home and received an overwhelming response.  The small, fuel-efficient cars attracted so much attention that Diane and friends Rebecca Hoffman and Wendy Jarchow, decided to produce small car events - exhibitions and invitational car shows - to piggyback with Chicago's summer festival season – and Teeny Tiny Productions was born. ... Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:37:00 PDT http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/bedroom-car/ Background: From 1986 through 2004 I operated Specialty Automotive in Olympia, WA, selling new and used DeLorean auto parts worldwide, while also working full time as an engineer.  During that time I restored/refurbished 7 DeLoreans and parted out 6 more.  Over those 18 years of traveling the country buying up dealer parts inventories and restorable cars I naturally had a few interesting adventures.  The following is the first of several true stories from that period.This is one of those stories you hear and say “yeah, right.”  But it’s true and I have the photos to prove it. ... Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:42:00 PDT http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/emission-or-bust-world-in/ On August 16, 2010 the racing world was plugged into a new category as the first ever Zero Emissions Race assembled at the starting line in front of the United Nations building in Geneva, Switzerland.  Flags lined the streets as delegates from Germany (Team Vectrix), Switzerland (Team Zerotracer), South Korea (Team Powerplaza) and Australia (Team TREV) commenced their zero emissions electric car race around the world. ... Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:46:00 PDT http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/hot-city-cool-cars-second/ It’s no surprise to you that small cars = big smiles. But who would guess that little cars would be the gateway to interactions with such a broad group of people " kids to seniors? Children think microcars were made for them. Teens are amazed by their shape and color. Women love the design and think of them as “accessories”. Men are intrigued by the improbable technology. And seniors have stories from the old days and “old country” about these great, little vehicles. ... Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:29:00 PDT http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/midget-racers-presaged-import-racing-1/ This blog post comes from Terry Parkhurst, a volunteer and friend of the Museum, who has also posted it on Automatter.com.A DOHC 16 valve in-line four-cylinder engine displacing just 255 cubic inches, yet fully capable of producing 500 horsepower, normally aspirated, powers the “Zink Pink” Champ car of John and Barbara Nelson. Thing is, the car was built for racing way back in 1955. Honda wasn’t the first to exploit the full potential of four bangers. Offenhauser, who made the engine in the Nelson’s car, was doing that long before the S2000 ever made it to America. ... Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:34:00 PDT http://www.lemaymuseum.org/blog/future-cars-social-objects/ This article was posted on MediaFuturist.comIn my work on the future of media, technology and content I often run across related areas such as tourism, banking, energy and transportation; and I have recently ventured into some of those sectors, as well (in particular, tourism - more on that, soon). ... Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:27:00 PDT