Where to visit on a Car Museum Roadtrip

Where to visit on a Car Museum Roadtrip

In today’s fast-paced world, finding quality time to connect with our loved ones is becoming increasingly challenging. The demands of work, school, and social commitments often leave us longing for a way to escape the hustle and bustle of our hectic lives. Why not get out of your routine and hit the open road? From historical landmarks to hiking and biking, there’s plenty to do across Arkansas, and we at McLarty Daniel Chevrolet in Springdale, Arkansas, want to highlight one destination that car lovers and the whole family will surely enjoy!

The Museum of Automobiles at Petit Jean Mountain

About two and a half hours away from Springdale is the Museum of Automobiles at Petit Jean Mountain in Morrilton, Arkansas! This collection of historic, antique, and unique vehicles spans a half-acre and houses special automobiles with pop culture, auto industry, and historical importance. Some of these date back to 1904 through 1981 and showcase a glimpse into the past. Most of these vintage vehicles still run, with many loaned out to the museum by their owners.

Exhibit Highlights

If you love music and history, you can see the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s vehicle in this collection! A Ford owned by Elvis is on-site, as well as a car that former U.S. President John F. Kennedy drove, and vehicles personally owned by former Arkansas Governor Winthrop Rockefeller, the original founder of the museum. The newest edition of this collection is a 1981 DeLorian, the car that became famous in 1985 with the release of Back to the Future.

The Climber

One of the most fascinating pieces in this museum is not apparent at first glance. It’s a vehicle from the Climber Motor Corporation, an auto manufacturer that opened in 1919 and shut down in 1924 and was located in none other than Little Rock, Arkansas. It was the only car manufacturer ever to open in The Natural State and made two cars and two trucks during its brief run.

History of the Museum

The Museum of Automobiles opened in 1964 at the helm of Rockefeller after he purchased a collection of 33 vehicles from a defunct museum in Florida. After Rockefeller passed in 1973, his cars were purchased by other collectors. However, the museum re-opened in 1976 thanks to a group of volunteers. The museum now has a collection of 50 cars and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The facility also has collections of:

• License plates
• Antique pedal cars
• Antique arcade games
• Antique player pianos
• Antique gas pumps
• Antique gun displays

Whether planning a weekend trip or just passing through to your next destination, the Museum of Automobiles is a great stop for all to enjoy. This museum has something for everyone and is an excellent spot for those looking to get out of town.

Stop by McLarty Daniel Chevrolet if you’re searching for a car, truck or SUV in Springdale, AR!

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