It’s Friday afternoon and you and a group of friends want something to do but, being college students, have little money to spare.
Whether you are a car enthusiast or just interested in history, the Museum of American Speed located just off of Sun Valley Boulevard and West ‘O’ at 599 Oak Creek Drive may be just what you’re looking for.
The museum is open for tours on Friday at 2 p.m. and starting in April will be open all weekdays at 2 p.m. as well.
If you are a true automotive enthusiast and need to pick up some parts at the Speedway Motors counter, it is conveniently located just across the street; plus, with a receipt of purchase from the same day, museum admission is waived.
Encompassed within this three story, 135,000 square foot building are a range of exhibit sections from show cars to sprint cars to NASCAR to old toys.
Bob Mays, Speedway employee and historian, explained that the museum is currently undergoing construction to add another 25,000 square feet of new display space as well as remodeling the restrooms and moving the library to the first floor.
The museum, a non-profit organization, was opened in 1992 by Speedway Motors owners Bill and Joyce Smith, but has been part of their dreams for over six decades.
Mays explained that a great deal of some of the collections, especially the toys and pedal cars, are personal items that the family saved over the years.
“It is amazing that a family [The Smith’s and their four boys] had the foresight to preserve this much of automotive history,” said John MacKichan, museum curator.
Henry Botts, one of the gentlemen waiting this past Friday for the museum doors to swing open for the tour, explained this was not his first time through.
“I’ve visited over 15 times,” he said. “Like history, this place is constantly changing, and I have a new experience every time I come.”
MacKichan stated his favorite items in the museum are the dioramas because of the great story they tell.
When asked what the most valuable items were, he estimated it would be close between three cars on hand – the Tucker, the Bucciali and the Duesenberg.
If you have a great experience at the museum, there are many ways to become more involved. Visitors can eventually volunteer their time as docents (tour guides) or even research information from home about items added to the museum.
As the museum brochure states, “It’s a walk through time tracing the spirit of innovation that has made the United States a technological and industrial leader for more than a century.”