825 N.E. Ocean Boulevard
Hutchinson Island
Stuart, FL
(772) 225-1961
Features: Founded by inventor Harmon Elliott as a tribute to his father, Sterling, also a prolific inventor. Collectively, they were awarded 222 patents. Many of them had to do with vehicle design, an dthe collection includes Sterling’s quadricycle and the Elliott family’s Stanley Steamer car. Plus, the facility holds a transportation gallery and life-size dioramas of turn-of-the-century shops and residences. The museum is owned and operated by the Historical Society of Martin County.
Ft. Lauderdale Antique Car Museum
1527 SW 1st Avenue (Packard Avenue)
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315
(954)779-7300
Features: The museum is a reproduction of a Packard showroom from the 1920s. On display are 22 Packards from the 1900s to the 1940s, all in working order. The 18,000 square foot building is also stocked with thousands of pieces of memorabilia as well as a gallery dedicated to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing
13700 SW 16th Avenue
Ocala, FL 34473
(877) 271-3278
Features: This is drag racing's Mecca, devoted to the legendary namesake dragster driver and the sport as a whole.
Sarasota Classic Car Museum5500 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34243
(941) 355-6228
Features: This 53-year-old facility recently underwent a renovation. The 60,000 square foot facility sits on four acres near the Ringling Museum of Art. It houses more than 100 automobiles, including classic models, one of only five Cadillac station wagons ever made, John Lennon’s Mercedes Roadster, and one of Don Garlits' dragsters. Also on premises is an antique game arcade with machines that are operable and cost just a few cents.
Tallahassee Antique Car Museum
3550A Mahan Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(850) 942-0137
Features: A large collection of classics from around the world. Perhaps the most prized possession is an 1894 Duryea, perhaps the oldest known surviving fully manufactured pre-production model. It is in running condition. A forensic examination of the underside of the original floorboard reveals that the pencil writing of the words “flywheel” and “Sprocket” were by J. Frank Duryea, the original designer of the Duryea automobile.
Tampa Bay Auto Museum
3301 Gateway Centre Boulevard
Pinellas Park, FL
(727) 579-8226
Features: If you want to see some very unusual marques, models and memorabilia, try this facility. Examples? How about Peugeot Darl 'mat, Salmson S4E, Talbot Lago T 15 Q L 6, Avion Voisin-C7 Chastness, Tracta A, Hotchkiss Gregoire, Allard P1, Fardier de Cugnot, Kubelwagen Type 82 ... . Convinced?
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