There is always some sort of milestone that can be achieved. Sometimes, you may not even realize it’s a milestone until it happens. On Saturday, I hit a milestone with Miles Through Time Automotive Museum.

I was able to bring a donated car from the museum to an event. You may assume I could do this all the time, but the reality is, it’s a ton of work.

The event I went to was the AACA Winter National. This event was special because I was specifically invited along with Savoy Automobile Museum, Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and The Coker Museum at Honest Charley.

Being one of the 4 automotive museums represented in the region was an honor, especially since the other three museums are great. It is difficult for me to be able to do things like this though.

Despite the show only being an hour away from where I live, the location is over two hours away from where Miles Through Time is, and I’m an hour away from Miles Through Time. Still, roughly 5 hours of driving isn’t too terrible.

Getting vehicles in and out of the museum can be a bit challenging. I chose to take our ’74 BMW 2002 simply because it was nimble to drive around and is a very nice example with a story that fits the museum perfectly.

Of course, when I started the car a few weeks ago to ensure it was good to go, I discovered the fuel pump leaked, which was about $220 to replace, but I was able to do it myself.

This time of the year in Georgia, pollen coats everything. In no time, the Malaga (burgundy) colored BMW was yellow. Cleaning was futile while it remained outside.

In the end, for a simple 7-hour show, I spent over 4 days prepping, fixing, transporting, cleaning and returning the car to the museum on Sunday. I am very glad I finally got to do the show. 

The goal is to be able to do more and hopefully make it to some concourse shows with our 1935 Mathis EMY4S. Transporting the Mathis will be delayed until the museum acquires an enclosed trailer in the future, but that’ll be another milestone.

John and Evelyn Motte hit a huge milestone when they privately founded the Motte Museum through their estate. What started as a produce market in the 8s and 90s is now a museum that shares the history of the pioneer families who first settled in the valley, their antique car collection, and documents the area’s agricultural roots.

Richard Paine collected extraordinary brass vehicles and eventually founded the Seal Cove Auto Museum. He donated some of his vehicles to the museum, but most he owned through his trust. 

Upon his death, the museum’s board was able to work with the trust and ensure an endowment would keep the museum accessible to the public and Paine’s legacy would live on.

The Edge Motor Museum is a unique museum that actually reminds me a little bit of the museum I founded. The majority of the collection is borrowed and Richard Vinning does a fantastic job at running and marketing the museum he founded. 

I had the privilege of meeting him in person during one of my road trips back home, and he’s a super nice guy. Passionate automotive enthusiasts are the best.

If you want to see more, visit the Weekly 3.

Plan your next trip, discover your new favorite, or find the nearest museum

 Sean Mathis
Creator of Automotive Museum Guide
Founder of Miles Through Time Automotive Museum

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