The Weekly 3

Last week I drove from Georgia to Pennsylvania to a place called Brady’s Bend to pick up a vehicle that was donated to Miles Through Time Automotive Museum. 

This was by far one of the most unique and cool places I’ve ever been to pick up a vehicle. The vehicle had been stored inside the side of a mountain for the last decade in a place called Brady’s Bend Underground Storage. 

This is not a place you can just visit, but if you ever get the opportunity, it’s so cool. I’d love to go back and bring an old Rolls-Royce back to the museum. I would have loved to explore a little more while I was there, but in typical fashion, time was limited. You can see what it was like to drive in HERE.

Although the major American automotive manufacturers don’t have their own museums like many European and Japanese brands, most of the brands are still represented in various museums.

Ford is the most represented car brand by museums. Of course, there is the Henry Ford Museum, which is one of the greatest museums you can visit in the USA. However, there are many more ways Ford is represented, specifically by Mustang and extended through the late, great Carroll Shelby.

I always find it interesting how opinionated many people can be about their American brands, and specifically their trucks. Very often, if I’m talking to someone about trucks, they are typically all in on one of the 3 major brands, Ford, GM (Chevy or GMC) or Dodge, now RAM Trucks.

I’ve owned at least one of every make over the years. For me, it has always come down to what I think looks the best, serves the purpose I need, and fits my budget. Currently, the MTT truck is a 2018 F150 eco-boost with 185k miles. It tows as much as I need and has massaging seats for long road trips, and with higher mileage when I got it, it fits the budget and serves its purpose.

Classic trucks are a whole different story. I’m still open to any make, but the year and style of the truck makes a huge difference. I find myself being attracted by more GM trucks than any others, and GMC specifically, just because they are less common.

There are some cool old Dodge trucks, but they do come in last place for me. Ford has many cool old trucks, and some questionable designs. A ’57 F100 is not a good-looking truck, to me at all. However, the ’56 F100 is my all-time favorite.

After 27 years of wanting to replace the ’56 F100 I worked on as a kid with my dad, I finally got one earlier this year, and it’s been at the shop getting prepped to be a daily driver. Show cars are cool, but my interest is in driving cool vehicles. 

I live an hour away from Miles Through Time Automotive Museum, and I plan to drive my ’56 F100 all the time. Any excuse to drive a cool ride is a great excuse. On Saturday, a Porsche Club visited Miles Through Time. They filled the back parking lot with Porsches and used the excuse of visiting the museum as a reason to get out and drive.

I hope the Automotive Museum Guide makes it easy to find excuses to drive or ride your pride and joys. You don’t have to wait for a car show or a cruise-in. Pick a museum on the map and just go.

If you are a Ford fan, and specifically a history buff, you’d love to visit the Edison & Ford Winter Estate. While there isn’t a ton of vehicles on display, the history is fascinating.

If you want to see the best examples of the early days of Ford, then visiting the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant is where you want to go. Not only are the vehicles stunning, but the building itself is a national treasure.

The Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum is where you want to go if you’re a fan of all things produced by Ford Motor Company between 1932 and 1953. This museum is full of Ford vehicles, and you’re guaranteed to learn something new.

I’ve been fortunate enough to visit all these museums and I go back to any of them when I get the opportunity. Perhaps in my ’56 F100.

Obviously, not everyone has a special vehicle to ride or drive, and that’s okay. Visiting a museum can be an excuse to use Uber if you need to.

Have a great week!

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

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