Zeldman
Touchdown! Greaser!
Back in the mid 80s when I was a truck driver, I used to pass this large old looking building seemingly in the middle of nowhere. It had a sign stating that it was a car museum. 5 bucks to enter, but I never saw any cars in the gravel parking lot.
One day I see a car, so I pulled in. A very white haired elderly gentleman was standing out side the entrance watching me pull in.
I got out and seeing keys in his hand I asked it the museum was closed. He put the keys in his pocket and said come on in.
Man, there were about 300 cars from the 1890s all the way up to the early 80s. All original but looking in better than new condition.
He was really proud of the 60s and 70s era muscle cars and since that was where my most interest was. He took a lot of time telling me about each one. I think we spent about 4 hours going through the collection.
Some of the interesting ones: He had 2, I believe they were 1970 Mustangs, Boss 429 Mustangs, 4 Daytona Chargers with the wing, sloped nose and of course the 426 Hemi, a 63 split window 'vette, a 1964 or 65 Shelby, Several Shelby Mustangs the GT350 and GT500 versions. He had a 65 Dodge station wagon that was once owned by Richard Petty, I am sure his wife drove it, and of course it was Petty blue with a Hemi.
There was also about 300 flat head Ford V-8s all stored along one wall. All pickled for storage. He said those came from the US Army and were bought when the army sold off its flathead inventory, sometime in the 60s. Brand spankin' new Ford V-8 flatheads for cars, pickups, medium duty and heavy duty trucks.
There was one truck in the collection. He said it was his dads truck. An early 20s Ford 1 1/2 ton I believe, with a flat wooden bed. He said his dad used to load the kids on the back and take them to church every Sunday, and sell watermelons out of the back in the summers.
I could have spent days looking at the cars. After talking to the gentleman I found out he was the owner. He finally confessed after I had asked many times who owned the collection.
I do remember the pride in his voice as he told me about each car. He seemed really pleased that someone of my age could appreciate all the old cars. I believe that looking at the cars made him happy.
As of 2010 that building is still there, but no sign. The gate is locked. I am sure the old gentleman must have passed away since then. I can only wonder what became of those fine vehicles.
I did not have a camera. In my wasted youth I just thought I will stop by again later with a camera and get pictures. Sadly that didn't happen.
