Last week was amazing, getting to spend time with peers and friends at The Petersen. Having the opportunity to view some private collections, like the Singleton Collection, a portion of Philip Serafin’s (big fan), and Jay Leno’s.

In 2016, I was 32 years old and had two automotive museums under my belt. I lived in Mooresville, NC, the capital of NASCAR so naturally I made my way over to the NASCAR Museum and Memory Lane Museum because it was there next to where I was buying a trailer to move away.

I’ve always been a big car guy, but for whatever reason, automotive museums just weren’t a part of my life. That is, of course, until 2017, when, out of nowhere, I founded Miles Through Time Automotive Museum.

Fast-forward 8 years and I have visited almost 100 automotive museums in North America. I found myself on the board of the National Association for Automobiles and the World Forum For Motor Museums. 

I’ve even helped newer automotive museums create their own brands and online presences. I never planned any of this, but this is my life now. I intend to do everything in my power to ensure the longevity and success of the museum I founded and do everything within my power to help all the other museums.

One thing I noticed right away when I started to dive into the automotive museum world, is that there are so many variations. There are so many different ways to present an automotive museum and there is no right or wrong way, because there are so many variables.

This week I want to share with you some examples of completely different types of “automotive” museums. The very first one I was going to share was the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum, but unfortunately they are permanently closed. This is a good example of why I send these emails.

So instead, I’ll share the American Classic Motorcycle Museum. I have visited this museum, and I will admit I almost didn’t go in. If you didn’t already know there was a motorcycle collection upstairs in this country diner, you’d have no clue. 

You’ve heard the term hole-in-the-wall restaurant? For me, that usually means its a little place, not fancy, but it’s good. That is what this museum is like.

The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing is another unique example. This museum sits on 40 acres overlooking wooded hills and a racetrack. If you’re like me, that was enough to sell you. The museum is constantly bringing in historic cars to display so you never know what you might see.

The Tucson Military Vehicle Museum is a newbie. If you like seeing military vehicles, this is the place for you. You’re going to see tanks, big trucks, Willy’s and everything else the military has used over the decades.

Honorable mention this week in Tucson as well is the Tucson Auto Museum for officially opening in their new location. I got to visit the old location, but now it looks like I have a few more reasons to visit Tucson.

Have a great week!

SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT THIS WEEK’S 3 AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUMS.

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

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P.S. Make sure you follow AMG on Facebook and join the FB Group to see what’s going on at all the museums.