Private Collection - pixs - Off Topic

Thank you for sharing this rare collection, I felt a really warm glow to this fab. display that has alot of personal pics. etc. giving me the feel of a very caring individual. The outdoors stuff like the vintage boat motors etc. also show a love of nature sports. I got all sorts of goose bumps seeing my early sprint heros names on rides. This is truly a well preserved national treasure and it was so cool to share it with al of us her on "THE" board. Another Sunday morning blissed out with a super show. I'll be studying these photos for some time. You da man!!-Sololobo

 

Totally bitchin collection. If i was a lottery winner my garages would look that way too.

 

All I can say is WOW!!! Thanks for sharing your experience with us. It's incredible. Racing history is preserved!!!!

Even if ya' had $money$ I doubt you could buy the vehicles with significant history in those buildings. That part is priceless. It's obvious that pride of ownership means much more to Mr. Smith than more money in HIS bank.

As for not letting folks see what he has, I can understand that mentality. There's a lot of jealous "wackos" out there with the attitude that if they can't have it, nobody will have it. If ya' know what I mean. If you control the folks that see your stuff, you have more control over its security.

Also, with hosting visitors by invatation only, he is able to screen folks and share his collection with those that have a better appreciation for what he has.




.... We had what was probably the #1 '40 Ford car collection in the country in town for many years. The collector's name was Benny Bootle. Every year he'd host a yearly get together for the southeast car enthusiasts the weekend before Super Bowl Sunday. Other than that, I don't think his collection was open for viewing.

Unfortunately, Benny died, his entire collection was sold off off through a sealed bid auction. His family had no interest in it. Unless, Mr. Smith makes the necessary steps, which it sounds like he has, his collection could face a similar fate.

 

"As for not letting folks see what he has, I can understand that mentality. There's a lot of jealous "wackos" out there with the attitude that if they can't have it, nobody will have it. If ya' know what I mean. If you control the folks that see your stuff, you have more control over its security.

Also, with hosting visitors by invatation only, he is able to screen folks and share his collection with those that have a better appreciation for what he has."

Sure I understand not letting just ANONE in,... but just the second group to see it besides family and friends!? Seems like a shame. Even though my collection is a drop in the bucket compaired to a lot of them, we'll show it to most anyone interested, customers, friends of friends,people that stop by to say their aunt used to work here, HAMBers rolling through the area. No one would be crazy enough to haul this big heavy shit out of the second floor anyway!

 

WOW, now that is an amazing collection...

 

Wow how about getting a HAMB tour ??? The old boat motors are cool !

 

Here's a link to a collection that allegedly just turned up in Portugal.

http://www.geenstijl.nl/paginas/mirror/20070215-pritt-mazda/index.html

 

Thank you for answering. That thing is awesome.

 

Definitely looks like a nice place to take a gander through

 

It's a shame we cant see some of these cars on the track running with us in the exibition races. We have quite a few old cars with history that run with us , Jerry Day ( Golden Wheels and West coast Vintage Racers)

 

I live 45 miles north of Terre Haute and used to cruise the Wabash Ave as a youngster and I never heard of this collection before. What a great opportunity to view this historical collection. To think, I was going to drive to Lincoln, NE to look at the other Smith collection. I can't wait till he opens up to the public.

 

Stunning!!!

 

I am not sure how much of the collection will be shown at the Museum, I am pretty certain only a portion, but what do I know.

 

That must be the home of Hector Honore's Bardahl Deuce. I see a trip to Indiana in the future.

 

Very on topic for this geezer. Thank you !!

 

A man that truly has everything....

I have to ask...what is his daily driver?

I bet its a new Caddy or Lincoln of some sort

 

Don Smith owns Terre Haute First National Bank, he is also related to the Hulmans, he also was the promoter at the Terre Haute Action Track for many years, he isn't "hoarding" these cars as someone put it he has a huge love for racing history. These cars couldn't be in better hands.

 

My name is Ed Graf. Mr Don Smith has just purchased my Dirt Champ Car. It is a 1974 Grant King built car. It was last run in USAC in 1989. I had the car for 19 years and had to sell it due to poor health I am delighted the a man like Mr Smith purchased it. It now has a very good home.

 

That Is Really Cool. I'd Love To Go Look Around There For A Couple Of Hours...

 

Someone call 911 I think im having a heart falure.....

 

Man there's a ton cool stuff , thanks for the pics !!!!!!!!!!

 

Man, someone should sit down with Mr. Smith and capture some of his memory in print. I bet he could talk your ears off about some of his experiences with the previous owners and how he acquired these pieces of history. Some wild stories I am sure could be told.

 

I have been through these barns on a number of occasions. I was unaware that it was such a rare honor. I have shared many good times with the Smith family whether its at the track at Indy, hunting, or any of the more mundane occasions. Seeing all of these replies have made me appreciate my relationship with the family even more than I already do. I guess I am just replying because I think that it is very neat how much you all appreciate this collection.

 

Truly an awesome collection,the man has alot of history with what once was the greatest spectacle in racing.I was fortunate enough to see some of those cars and drivers race,back when USAC was king and your performance on dirt earned you a ride at Indy.Thanks for sharing!

 

Being an Indiana native, I, too, never knew it existed. However, knowing Mr. Smith's ties to the Hulman Family, it makes TOTAL sense. Thanks for sharing the pics...there are many cars that I have seen here that my Dad & I saw together...from Winchester to the Indy.
AWESOME! Ebert

 

Hey... Glad someone brought this back to the top. Nice treat to see some of these pics. Been to the Terra Haute track many times and didn't realize this awesome collection was in the area.

Thanks for sharing.

 

Just a heads up from an outsider. Don is opening this collection to the public this Saturday. Details in the Terre Haute Tribune Star.

 

Well you've heard the ol'....

"The Man Who Dies With The Most Toys... WINS!"

well people looks like we're gonna have a winner!

Damn! what a collection! Lucky, Lucky man.

Thanks for the post

 

Incidentally, Don and Chapman Root were partners in the Sumar Speed Shop business, as I recall. The S-U-M-A-R came from the first names of their wives, Sue and Mary.

 

Awesome pics! Thanks for keeping me entertained at work.