Incubators for automotive interests
Just about every museum’s mission is some version of preserving and sharing automotive history, which is true and necessary.
Jun 21, 2026
This week I have a bonus for you. It’s not really a museum, and it’s not open to the public with regular hours. However, if you have the opportunity to visit with a club or during a special event, you may want to jump on the opportunity.
The NB Center for American Automotive Heritage is in Allentown, PA. Nicola Bulgari is an Italian billionaire behind. If the name sounds familiar, it may be because he is the grandson of Sotirios Bulgari who founded the Italian luxury brand Bulgari in 1884.
The NB Center for American Automotive Heritage has a machine shop, and they will restore your gauges for you. The collection is on display and exercised regularly, as it should always be whenever possible.
This one is an honorable mention, just to be aware of in case you have a future opportunity to visit. You won’t find it on the map since it is not open to the public with regular hours, but you will find it in the guide.
Terry Stephens, on the other hand, has recently expanded his private collection and decided to open Stephens Classic Cars. If you’re a fan of American Muscle, you’ll be a fan of Stephens Classic Cars.
Mike Fuller is another guy who decided to open his collection to the public. Mike doesn’t even charge admission for the Mike Fuller Auto & Gas Museum. You’ll see cars dating back to 1917 and 145 vintage gas pumps.
Although Mike is open to the public, he doesn’t have regular hours, but all you have to do is call ahead, and you’ll be able to visit.
The last museum this week is Snook’s Dream Cars. This is the collection of Jeff Snook. Jeff and his father Bill had been collecting cars and memorabilia since restoring a 1929 Model A in 1963, which Jeff then drove at 16.
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting this museum and meeting Jeff. He’s even got where they make sure the cars are good to go, so Jeff can drive any of them he’d like.
Most automotive museums are byproducts of very successful people. Creating a museum comes much later in life. Collections have grown, bank account commas have increased, and perhaps a little more time becomes available to create a museum.
Like most things in life, there is always another way. Sometimes it’s more difficult, but hopefully, in the end it’s well-worth the effort.
Miles Through Time Automotive Museum had a 2006 Jeep Wrangler Limited LJ generously donated to the museum, specifically to raise funds to help support the museum.
We are down to the last week left to purchase tickets to win the Jeep. The last day to enter is September 22nd, and we will announce the winner at noon on September 27th.
You do not have to be present to win, but if you’d like to help support Miles Through Time Automotive Museum and have a chance to visit the museum and drive the Jeep home, you can enter at milesthroughtime.com/jeep.
Use the promo code AMG to get 100% more entries!
Have a great week!
SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT THIS WEEK’S 3 AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUMS.
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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.
Stephens Classic Cars is a private collection of primarily muscle cars. Terry Stephens is the local businessman who decided to open his collection to the public.
Travel in the Past Lane to Snook’s Dream Cars Automobile Museum. Visitors may view cars and “automobilia” from the 30s through the 60s all housed in a 1940s-style Texaco service station.
Admire a collection of pristine vintage cars at Mike Fuller’s Auto & Gas Museum in Inola. Check out the classic designs of 19 well-preserved vehicles that range from 1917 to 1953, and see how cars have changed through the years.
Just about every museum’s mission is some version of preserving and sharing automotive history, which is true and necessary.
Some of the very niche automotive museums you can visit may have it a little more difficult to capture a broader interest. Or perhaps because they are so niche, they have the ability to be hyper-focused on what they specialize in.
I would argue that sometimes a car museum is just a car museum, but the best are all 3.
If you need an excuse to ride or drive somewhere, just open up the MAP and find a museum to visit.
Visit as many museums as you can. Volunteer if possible. Become an advocate. If you have a collection or even just one car or priceless knowledge, share it.
It’s funny how often I get asked why I do the things I do. Why did I start Miles Through Time Automotive Museum?
Today, Miles Through Time Automotive Museum leases just shy of 50,000 square feet inside a 275,000-square foot textile mill.
When it comes to iconic American roadtrips, Route 66 is the highway most people think of.
Last week was great. I look forward to the NAAM conference every year. If you are associated with a museum in some way, I highly recommend
This week I’m in Dayton, Ohio, for the National Association of Automobile Museums’ (NAAM) annual conference.
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