[AKTransAM]

Had been meaning to post this from a few months ago. This was on the way back from the Portland Auto Swap Meet that I'd posted about earlier. Anyways, we had always wanted to stop off at this place since it's a really well known museum in Tacoma, Washington. We were able to stop off there on our way back to Alaska. It's a multi-level building, and the 1st level that you enter into always has a theme that's changed out. When we were there, it was Porsches. Amazing place and great cars. Anyways, I'll let the pics do the talking. I'll have to split this into 2 pages since there's more pics than I can upload on the first post.

The museum


The entry floor, with the Porshe exhibit. Not really into Porsches, so didn't pay too much attention to the cars in this section




















As soon as we saw these two, however, we pretty much had seen the best of it all. I'm obviously biased since I have a 77 Trans-Am


Just a beautiful fast car


Another timeless classic design. This was a 76 Trans-Am, so a different nose from my 77.




AMC Javelin. Really cool and underrated cars. Very fast for the time.


Buick Riviera


1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hearst Special Edition


Second level as we walked down into the building


A classic everyone knows. 69 Camaro










The most beautiful car from the 30's, and in my opinion one of the most beautiful cars ever designed period. The 1937 "Coffin Nose" Cord. This one wasn't the supercharged version (yes you could get them supercharged back then). Those are pop up headlights in the fender




The Stanley Steamer, that drove on steam. Founded by twin brothers, one of whom died after an accident while test driving a new model. This particular version was released way after the original company had been sold,and was actually incredibly underpowered and underwhelming compared to the models that the company had barely a few years before. They had models that were doing well over 100 mph in the early 1900's. This technology, in my opinion, is so much better and had/has so much more potential than the electric car boondogle that I loath with a passion (anti electric car rant done).


THE CAR. Tucker 48.


The legendary "Cyclops Eye" headlight that moved with the steering wheel


Now we get into some fun stuff. De Tomaso Pantera

[AKTransAM]

May have been a Maserati, don't remember


Possibly the most beautiful car I've ever laid eyes on. The Iso Grifo, made from 1965-74. I don't say that lightly. I've always considered my 1977 Trans-Am to be one of the best designs ever made. They were powered by a variety of Ford and Chevy V8's over their lifetime


Iso Grifo rear


Iso Grifo emblem


Another classic everyone knows. This one was a daily driver that was in the musueum. Love seeing old muscle cars that are being driven daily and used as they were meant to.


Another Maserati


Studebaker Avanti


The next level




International Scout II. Really cool, classic, and very capable 4x4. I had a chance to get one couple years ago in great shape for quite cheap. I passed, and now regret that decision












Another classic everyone knows.


The original car....


Figured folks would get a kick out of this


The old faithful (I don't have fond memories of it. My friend had one back in the day, and it never ran well)


French weirdness. Yes I know this car was amazingly advanced for it's time. Doesn't make it less weird.


My buddy is rebuilding this one in his garage. Been a 3 year project. Should be out this year.


Solar weirdness....








I'll end with a vehicle everyone in the world knows.

[V.Narayan]

What a bunch of beauties. I could ogle at them all day! Oh how I wish we could keep our museums so spotless and shiny. Thank you for sharing.

[AKTransAM]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

What a bunch of beauties. I could ogle at them all day! Oh how I wish we could keep our museums so spotless and shiny. Thank you for sharing.

My pleasure to share!

[theMAG]

That had to be one awesome experience!

I remember visiting the Volo Auto Museum outside of Chicago a few years back and had a memorable time from that visit. The actual Bonnie and Clyde shoot out car peppered with bullet holes was an incredible display.


1. I am a sucker for period-correct automotive settings. That AAA emergency service shop recreation in your pictures is poster-worthy

2. One the cars from the recent Memorial Day car parade here was the 1970s Mach 1 Mustang - similar to the one in your picture. That car has street presence and then some!