Monday, July 9, 2018

MUSCLE CARS AND MORE!

After spending an enjoyable month in Shipshewana, IN we departed to revisit one of our favorite all time  places.  The famous Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, MI is Michigan's #1 tourist attraction.  It is also one of the top 5 car museums in America and is located between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek.
The famous Gilmore Car Museum
Hickory Corners, MI

Once you arrive on a 2 lane road with several signs directing you to the entrance, your attention and curiosity is immediately drawn to the beautiful barns and vast brick buildings situated on 90 acres of meticulously manicured lawns and flower gardens.

The Classic Car Club Museum of America
The Gilmore Car Museum

Gilmore Car Museum
Barn Filled with Classic Cars

Barn Filled With Vintage Cabs
The Gilmore Car Museum

The person who brought all these collections together was the former CEO of Upjohn Pharmaceuticals, Donald S. Gilmore, and his wife, Genevieve.  In 1963, she gave him a 1920 Pierce Arrow (project car) as a birthday gift and the hobby soon grew into a collection of over 30 autos (which is now 400 automobiles).  Many are on loan from exclusive collections.

Barn Filled With Collectable Vintage Cars
The Gilmore Car Museum

Today, the site includes 3 historic barns, a recreated 1930 service station, a small town train station, an original historic roadside diner, and nearly 3 miles of paved roads.

1930's Service Station
The Gilmore Car Museum

Diner at The Gilmore Auto Museum

Good food with good friends!

  Several museums within the campground are the Classic Car Club of America Museum, Pierce Arrow Museum, Franklin Collection, Cadillac-LaSalle Club Museum, Model A Ford Museum, Tucker Historical Museum and Checkers Motors Archives.



  
There is plenty of room to freely roam around at your own pace, not to mention Fords, Cadillacs, Duesenbergs and Packards, muscle cars, motorcycles and even a Tucker. 
 
Vintage Cadillac Grill

Vintage Stutz hood ornament

Before we knew it we had spent over 3 unforgettable hours, and it really didn't matter that we had seen it all before!

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