Current Exhibits

The House of Windsor has had a long love affair with the automobile. With King Edward VII's first
"horseless carriage" purchase of a 1900 Daimler Mail Phaeton, the British Monarchy set in motion a new preferred method of royal transportation. From coach built Daimlers to Rolls Royce Phantoms, Land Rovers, Jaguars, Bentleys, MGs, Humbers and Aston Martins the British Monarchy has defined automotive style for over 120 years. This exhibit celebrates the British motorcar during this special Coronation year.

Michael Schumacher was one of the greatest race car drivers of all time. His relationship with Ferrari and Formula One is one of legend. Come see one of our newest models, a 2001 Ferrari F1 Show Car.

During the golden age of automotive design Americans were enthralled with European design. Car manufactures globally took notice and developed prototype and production model cars with European coach built bodies and American motors under the hood. This exhibit showcases two rare Chrysler Ghia prototype cars from the 1950s and stunning 1967 Iso Grifo with a small block Chrysler engine.

In the late 1940's and early 50's, post war Europe saw a shortage in manufacturing materials. The devastating war also left consumers and companies strapped for cash and the need to economize. To answer the call for new vehicles, auto makers developed the micro car. Billed as a low - cost, efficient family car, these autos saved the big car companies from going out - of - business and gave much needed jobs to soldiers and civilians rebuilding their communities.

Visitors love to explore Maine's natural splendor and solitude. We have a coastline longer than California, with lakes, mountains, and deep forests. Maine is truly a spectacular Vacationland. Even today, Maine ranks as the most rural state in the nation, according to the US Census Bureau. That means there's lots of open road to cover in the Pine Tree State. In the mid-20th century, the woody was a popular hospitality vehicle for Maine's hotels, inns, camps, and parks. Alas for the Maine timber industry, the most popular wood used on cars was not pine, but ash birch, and mahogany. This exhibit features some of the rarest woody varieties.

Preston Tucker built the world's safest car, with revolutionary new technology that promised to turn the automotive industry upside down. The Tucker featured a rear mounted engine, a padded dash, and a Cyclops Eye (a movable center third headlight) among other innovations. But corporate fear and government interference crushed the dream and only 51 Tucker cars were built. Today, they are the holy grail of classic car collecting.

In the early 20th century the motorcar took the reins from the horse and carriage for the summertime tradition of high societies, grand tour of Europe's best cities and scenic locales. These autos made for easier and faster travel for the European elite. The touring car has become a symbol of status and elegance. Early makers created bespoke, coach built models to cater to every need of the motoring tourist. In later years, luxury manufacturers implored speed and sleek features to entice buyers. Automotive greats like Alfa Romeo, BMW, Mercedes Benz, MG, Delahaye and Ferrari dominated this opulent category of models.

In 1985 Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale released the science fiction film Back to the Future. The film starred a DeLorean modified into a time machine to ferry the films stars back to 1955. The movie was a smash hit and subsequently expanded into a triolgy. The movie cemented the DeLorean into our collective conscious as the car of the future, literally. Come and see our DeLorean and learn about John DeLorean, the man and the sorted history of the DeLorean Motor Company.

Henry Ford's legacy is on full display in this exhibit showcasing the maker's history of innovation and impact on the global automotive industry. Our Ford models dating from the 1910s through the 1960s tell the story of Henry Ford's early career and development of the landmark brand to the company's glamorous transformation during the golden age of design.