America's Car Museum Set To Open in May 2012 / Tacoma Washington

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Tacoma Washington...It has been announced that the LeMay Automobile Museum will open in May 2012. The museum has been under construction since 2010. Museum president David Madeira projects 425,000  visitors per year and expects the museum to have about a $34 million impact for the Tacoma area economy. The museum occupies a nine acre campus next to the Tacoma Dome and is 165,000 square feet in size. Called America's Car Museum, this venue will should be an excellent new stop for vintage auto enthusiasts. Included will be a lecture hall, gift shop, restoration shops and a banquet hall. The museum will be a perfect setting for corporate and club events. Whether you're an vintage car enthusiast or not, you're sure to have a fun and informative time at America's Car Museum. It makes a great addition to your northwest vacation planner.

There will also be a three and one-half acre site to be used from everything from vintage car shows to drive-in movies to concerts. The museum project is certainly quite impressive and took years to come about. The museum has announced that plans are to expand beyond American automobile to British, Italian and others. The museums donors were critical in making this project succeed. Harold LeMay's wife, Nancy LeMay donated $15 million and the City of Tacoma donated land estimated to be worth $17 million. AAA of Washington was the largest corporate donor with a $1.6 million contribution. Additional major donors included State Farm Insurance, The News Tribune, Boeing and Bonhams. A project of this size would not have been possible without the high level of community support the LeMay organization obtained.

The museum is expected to display about 500 cars which is an enormous collection. There will also be a clubhouse available for automobile clubs. When open, the America's Car Museum will be the world's largest in terms of square footage and number of cars on display.

There are certainly many excellent vintage car museums across the United States. The LeMay Museum is probably the largest project of this type ever attempted in the U.S. This vintage and classic car museum will certainly attract visitors and tourist from around the world.

Automobile museum enthusiasts will also be interested in a few other events scheduled around the country. The Classic Car Club of America announces their Experience to take place June 1-3, 2012 at the Classic Car Club of America Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan. The theme for the 2012 event is all foreign automobiles through 1965. No Club affiliation is required to participate for the Sunday Experience Concours.

The Wellborn MuscleCar Museum announces their show to be held October 11-13, 2012. The museum celebrated it's 40th anniversary in 2011. The Wellborn MuscleCar Museum is located at 24 Broad Street in Alexander City Alabama.

The very well known Petersen Automobile Museum in Los Angeles is exhibiting "Sculptures in Motion, Masterpieces of Italian Design" , February 2012 to February 2013. Sculpture in Motion: Masterpieces of Italian Design will explore the many ways in which Italian coach builders and manufacturers have contributed to the evolution of the automobile. The Petersen Automobile Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles California.

Willys Jeep

The Kemp Auto Museum will host the Fifth Annual Big Truck Day on June 10, 2012.  With over 40 trucks on display, thousands converge on the museum’s 14,000 square-foot plaza to enjoy great live music, big trucks and entertainment for all ages. The Kemp Auto Museum is located in Chesterfield Missouri, just twenty minutes west of St. Louis. The event is free and open to the public.

You will find the following links to a few of our vintage and classic car museum articles interesting.
A Western Trip to the classic car Museums. Also, The classic car museum in Endee New Mexico.

Hopefully you can fit in a few of these great museum stops and events into your vacation or weekend trip planner.

(Photos are from author's private collection)