Are you driving your dream car or is your dream just an elusive work of art? The mission statement of the Antique Automobile Club of America states “Since its inception there has been something about the sight, sound, and feel of the automobile that stirs the imagination and the desire to experience the freedom of the open road. Whether it’s the clatter of the single cylinder brass era car or the heavy thumping of big block Detroit muscle cars that fuels the addiction, we are all kindred spirits.”
In the late 1950s when I was in high school, cars were the focus of most young men. The rage at that time was for cars with big fins and blaring mufflers, but the main goal of a high school boy was obtaining his wheels. It was their ticket to freedom and independence, and of course, necessary for picking up one’s date and showing off to one’s friends.
It used to be that automobiles had unique style and shape, with real personality and could even be recognized by make and model from far away. But now, I have a fear that the artistic beauty of American cars and cars in general is rapidly going away as they become more and more mundane looking. Many cars today can only be identified when you are close enough to see the name on the back fender and the symbol on the car’s hood. Yes, I applaud the fact that cars are now designed to create less air drag to improve gas mileage, which is indeed important for humanity, but I also fear that we have relegated one of our great forms of metallic art design to the dustbin of history.
This past month, in my search for my next art inspired article, I had the good fortune to visit with Andrew Warren in the Blackhawk Museum where he gave me a tour of the museum and shared with me the story about the evolving mission of the museum, to bring our communities great opportunities for edification and inspiration. Mr. Warren photographed, edited and refined the beautiful current images of the cars the Blackhawk Museum supplied to me for this article.
Originally, the museum was designed exclusively to exhibit historic and collectible automobiles, however, today this vision is changing. Yes, there is still a beautiful and intriguing “Automotive Gallery” that contains exquisite gems of our automotive yesteryears, but today there is so much more for you and your family to explore within the new gallery walls.
June is an excellent month to take a little trip down memory lane in the automobile gallery and learn some really neat things about automobiles you probably never new. Among the 50 gorgeous pieces of “precious metal,” as I like to call collectible cars, you will have an opportunity to see and examine historically significant classic, sports, and innovatively stylish vehicles that range from conventional American masterpieces, to works of automotive art from many corners of the world.
Along with their collection of automotive dream-cars you will discover a myriad of associated stories tied to the passions that brought these “precious metals” to fruition. The selection of vehicles is broad, beautiful, and provides a wonderful trip down their memory lane for many people. Some of my favorites are the Blue 1931 Pierce Arrow, the Yellow Cord, the red Delahaye convertible, Chevrolets, Packard’s, Plymouth’s, Mercury’s and Fords of the 50s and 60s. I would also suggest that you seek out the Docent presentations, where you may even be able to learn the stories behind the stories that made specific automobiles the legends that they have become.
In addition, the museum offers another gallery which is described as the “Spirit of the Old West,” a historical exhibition primarily designed to edify and encourage interactive learning experiences. Now you and your children may explore the lives of Native Americans and American settlers in the old West. There is also an opportunity for you to explore and experience the “Art of Africa” gallery, where you will see art created by the many indigenous people of sub-Saharan Africa. It is my plan to focus on several of these subjects over a couple of months, to give you some idea of where you can go and what you can do that would be lots of fun for dad and mom and little kids too.
For the July issue, I will share some insights from an actual tour in the “Spirit of the Old West” historical exhibit and the Art of Africa exhibit.
The museum is located at 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle in Danville. The museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 AM to 5 PM. The admission fees are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors/students, children six years of age and under and active military personnel are free. There should be ample free parking in the Blackhawk Plaza parking lot near or adjacent to the Cinemark Century Blackhawk Plaza Theater facility.
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