We’ve been to Tacoma before, but have never gone to the LeMay America’s Car Museum right off I-5 by the Tacoma Dome. We decided our visit this time would be the perfect time to fit it in. $20 for seniors (and free parking). This is quite an amazing collection of cars. I’m not really into cars, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. We were inside for about 2 1/2 hours.
The museum is well designed within four levels that you walk through without even realizing it. While there are hundreds of cars some interactive exhibits, this blog will attempt to show some of our favorites and give you an idea of the variety of vehicles the museum contains.
Inside the main doors – the front showroom. 🙂
The first car is pretty sweet. This 2022 Ford GT is a racer for the road. It is one of the most aerodynamic Ford has ever produced. It is capable of reaching speeds in excess of 210mph! Original price: $500,000. (Yes, there are 5 zeros!)
Stepping past the gift shop and into the main museum was awesome. The structure of this building is definitely a bonus to the museum experience!
LOVED this art piece!
1906 FORD Model N Runabout – This had character. Check out those headlights. I wonder if people were tempted to squeeze the horn just walking by it when parked?
All-Electric cars are NEW, right?? No…For four short years (1911-1915) the Standard Electric Company produced a line of all electric vehicles. The most popular model was the Closed Coupe; however a few Runabouts like the one below were also made in 1998. This vehicle was the first electric car to complete the 120-mile New London to New Brighton Antique Car Run in Minnesota.
Rumble Seats:
1933 Dodge DP Rumble Seat Coupe
This 1956, one-of-a-kind GMC tow truck was built by Harold LeMay to run on gasoline and propane!
Other cars I liked:
Seeing a TransAm reminds me of my college days – especially senior year. There was a group of male Iranian students on campus who all had new TransAms.
Harold LeMay loved Packards. This 1923 Packard Single-Six, Seven-Passenger Dual Cowl Phaeton may have been his favorite. The dual cowl meant a second windscreen (cowl) separating the front and rear passengers, in addition to the front windshield. I thought the angled pieces that come outward from both windshields were pretty cool.
1953 Kaiser Dragon – Why dragon? They didn’t want people to mistake the vinyl upholstery for alligator
1951 Studebaker, 1956 Studebaker Flight Hawk, and a 1963 Studebaker – first production Avanti:
This next car was totally unexpected! But I knew what it was. LOL
1994 Flintmobile for the 1994 movie “The Flintstones”
Want to race? These kids were having a blast.
The CROSLEY: 1939 – “The Car of Tomorrow”
A couple newer Crosleys: A 1949 Hot Shot Roadster; and a 1952 Scorpion
1933 Chrysler. I thought the split windshield that let are in were pretty cool.
1958 BMW Isetta – known as a “Bubble car”. Were made for Europeans, but Cary Grant and Elvis Presley each owned one. The character Steve Erkel drove one in the show Family Matters.
These front fenders really gave these a unique look!
1937 Cord
1937 Cadillac
1930 Packard –
1963 Chevrolet with a split back window
I first thought of Doc Hudson from the movie “Cars” when I saw this Tucker. (Like I said, I’m not really into cars, so I don’t have to have the right make, model or year to provoke a connection or memory.)
From my experience here today, I feel it is safe to say that you don’t need to be a car buff, or know anything about cars to make it worthwhile. I think Barry found it enjoyable, too!
