April 23rd through September 6th
Hershey, PA (March 15, 2010) We have repeatedly asked our visitors, “what would you like to see in our changing exhibitions here at the Antique Auto Museum at Hershey?” Without fail, the top answer is always “Muscle Cars!” Indeed, muscle cars are one of the hottest commodities in the car world. They dominate the auctions and the car shows, just as they did the streets 40 years ago.
We have gathered together a collection of 20 of the most desirable models of the muscle car era, which began in the 1960s and ended rather abruptly in the early 1970s, a victim of a combination of changing pollution, safety and insurance regulations coupled with the first gas crisis. Visitors will see th
e legendary Chevy “409,” which was immortalized by the Beach Boys in
the early 1960s. Also memorialized in several songs and represented in the exhibition is Pontiac’s GTO. Fans of the Ford Motor Company will appreciate a Boss 429 Mustang, offerings from Shelby, powerful Torinos and a limited edition Mercury Cougar Eliminator, among others. The final “Big Three” automaker, Chrysler, has a slew of bruisers in the exhibition, including a unique pairing of their two NASCAR-inspired “winged” cars, the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona and the 1970 Plymouth Superbird. The Daytona is beautifully restored, while the Superbird is the lowest mileage (approximately 300 miles), unrestored example in existence.
Muscle Cars came in many different forms in the 1960s and early 70s. While most high-performance powerplants during this era were installed in sporty coupes and convertibles, even the family sedan or station wagon could be ordered with a really big engine, including Chrysler’s fabled “Hemi”. Independents such as American Motors left their mark on this phenomenon with cars like the Javelin and the AMX, as a two-seat muscle car. Similarly, Studebaker took its shot at going fast with cars like the Avanti, which relied on a super charged “small” V8 to produce record breaking performance. And, not all was brute force without brains during this era, as evidenced by Oldsmobile’s Toronado, the first high volume front-wheel drive automobile. This landmark car is represented by a fully restored, award winner sporting an impressive 425 cubic inch engine.
This unique collection of muscle cars comes to the Museum from private owners located across the country. The exhibition will run through the summer, ending Monday, September 6th.
The Antique Auto Museum at Hershey, a member of the Smithsonian Institute Affiliations Program, displays beautifully restored automobiles, buses and motorcycles in unique life-like scenes representing the 1900’s – 1970’s in a cross-country journey from New York to San Francisco. This Museum, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, is one of the nation’s newest and largest automotive museums. Special exhibits change several times a year and focus on a variety of eras and types of vehicles. The Museum is located just off Route 39, one mile west of Hersheypark Drive in Hershey, Pennsylvania. For further information, please call 717-566-7100 or visit www.aacamuseum.org.
EXHIBITION CONTACT:
Jeffrey Bliemeister
Museum Curator
717-566-7100 ext. 104
jeffreybliemeister@aacamuseum.org
Nancy
Nancy Gates
Director of Marketing & Operations
AACA Museum
A World Class Automotive Experience
In Association with the Smithsonian Institution
161 Museum Drive
(Just off Rte. 39 @ 1 mile from Hersheypark)
Hershey, PA 17033
717-566-7100 ext. 123
717-566-7300 FAX
ngates@aacamuseum.org
aacamuseum.org
Featured Exhibits:
Camaros & Firebirds! Thru April 4, 2010
Sponsored by Freysinger Pontiac, GMC, Buick.
Special Display Vehicles: GM Futurliner #10, Stainless Steel Cars from ATI Allegheny Ludlum, Cadillac LeMans Dream Car #4, 1970 Chevelle LS-6.
"Fast from the Past: Competition Motorcycles of Yesteryear" Now - end of March 2010.
From Sea to Shining Sea is our permanent exhibit that pairs eight decades of vintage vehicles in themed settings with a cross-country journey of the United Sates.
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