I'm glad to see the Museum is doing well. I had feared when Bill died the museum would get closed and stuff sold off. To survive a museum needs one of two things - someone with a p***ion and money or a location that attracts enough people interested in paying the see the stuff. He also has a "fibergl***" museum. He bought the ShoGun molds and ch***is jig from me for that one. I had a 30s Board Track T but he didn't want it because the engine parts were repros not the original ones. I also had a roll bar added he didn't like that had been added when it ran the first 18 Monterey Historics. Next year I plan on attending their bi-annual Speedster Reunion. Gonna take the Riley 4 port 26 T.
it really depends on your automotive interests. there were parts that I paid little attention to only because I never really cared for modern indy car racing for one. but there is really plenty there for everyone. I asked if they had many cars that were not currently on display and they told me probably 3 museums full stored in different warehouses around town
This was a about a month before Bill p***ed away. My wife has been packing these folk dolls around for years and has countless photos of people holding them. Speedy was not a**** the enthusiastic doll holders!
I can only guess several days if you do museums like I do. I could spend two days (or more) in the engine room. But I tend to read every plaque all the way through. Most people just read the "headline" and go on to the next item. I could easily spend two weeks at the Science and Industry Museumin in Chicago.
There have been other threads here on the Museum of American Speed.... but as usual when it comes to stuff like this, @Moriarity wins! Hahahaha... I think my "Like-****on-pusher-finger" is broke. Bare minimum, what I did was got there shortly after they opened, spent the rest of the day there. Stayed overnight - lots of great lodging and eating places in Lincoln - and went back the next day and spent most of that day there too. I think I took around 400 photos. And that was before the latest expansion. As Mark said, time spent really depends on what your main interests are but there's enough diversity that just about anyone can find something to like.
When you look at all the stuff in this collection, and you think about the successful business that allowed Bill Smith to build it, I wonder what the fist thing was that he sold on opening day. Bob
Sometime 20-30 years ago I was the pit crew for my friend's antique midget race car out at Bellville, Kansas at the High Banks. We were there for the weekend at an antique race. Bill was there with a small trailer in the small swap meet area. I talked with him for a while but I've been kicking myself in the a$$ ever since that I didn't buy something from him. Anything. Just to be able to hang it on the shop wall as a souvenir that I could say "I bought this from Bill Smith himself." When the R&C Americruise was in Lincoln (several times) they had the museum open for Americruise participants and Bill and Mrs. Smith were always there talking with the visitors. They were always very gracious and personable. I haven't been to the museum since it's been added to and it's about time for another road trip.
Speedy Bills wife was also a collector as well, seems she had an avid interest in taxi toys, never heard what prompted her interest, perhaps her visits abroad or a visit to the big apple, we all need to fuel our p***ions.
Mark, seems to me that the Speedway Museum ought to consider loaning a few things to your collection.
When I was there one of the museum guides told me a good share of the Smith family income came from real estate investments. No matter, really, I'm just glad it worked out for 'em!
I'm just happy all that stuff is safe and on view to the public, have to get out there and spend a day or two looking at it all. There are a few things that spent time in my ba*****t, they look a lot better now. Bob
I've gotten there several times, maybe 5 or 6. The place is just completely overwhelming. 3500 pedal cars and 1100 lunch boxes keep my wife busy while I look at stuff. I'll never get tired of looking at the collection. They have done a magnificent job honoring the Unsers. Not just Bobby and Al but the entire racing family. I will hopefully get back in Aug. as we have another trip planned.
Thanks for posting these, Mark! From the pics this must be the best museum in the world. At least for me because I am also building vintage car kits and collecting tin toy cars. The Dave Shuklis collection alone is fantastic. He was a disabled guy who in the 60s built some of the coolest custom car and hot rod models ever. Here is an article about him: https://themodelcarmuseum.org/dave-shuklis-modeling-pioneer/
Will be there in September as I’m meeting friends for a guided tour. FYI, the International Quilt museum is close by and makes it easy to justify a trip to Lincoln every couple of years as my wife is a quilter
Mark, have they asked you about displaying the '57 Deal's Wheel car yet? It would look cool next to the VW.
The Jalopy Journal
