Model Car Museums - Are There Any Out There?

[Johnny K]

I'm trying to compile a list of Model Car Museums in the U.S. and Canada, particulary those with a physical presence. Though I had expected Google to spit out dozens - if not hundreds - it seems that Brick and Mortar locations are rather sparse. Incidentally, aside from club archives, private collection photos, and the like, opportunities for on-line museums have been mostly overlooked.

I do, of course, find http://www.themodelcarmuseum.org/. It comprises the first several search entries, but is quite disappointing overall. At least, in my opinion. Perhaps that's because the home web page is not as well-constructed as one might hope, but also because a casual look through the contents seems to indicate that it hasn't been updated for a few years. Surely, there must be more.

Additionally, a search through the archives here doesn't really net a lot on the subject. Then again, maybe my search skills are lacking. I would appreciate any pointers to Model Car Museums anyone might be willing to offer.

Seems to me they're something this hobby needs if it's to continue and prosper.

[Harry P.]

That's the only "bricks and mortar" model car museum that I know of.

[Draggon]

Dean Sills ( I think ) used to have one. Im not sure if this is the same guy, tho going by what he sells on epay, it should be. He's a good guy, I bought a couple vintage Revell parts packs last year from him, and when a couple more went unsold, he threw them in for free!

http://www.deanshobbystop.com/

Edited July 19, 2012 by Draggon

[Johnny K]

http://www.deanshobbystop.com/

Thanks, Glenn. Checked the site and not seeing mention of museum, but he might as well have one as much stock as he has! Course, he may have something on the side or be aware of more, so I'll follow up. Appreciate it.

[Austin T]

I found this place today and thought I would post a link to it here and this seems like the best place to post it.http://www.toys-n-cars.com/

[Junkman]

In which part of the world?

[Johnny K]

In which part of the world?

Mainly interested in the U.S. and Canada as stated, but wouldn't mind links to websites in other countries. I haven't even found a lot listed internationally yet.

[Johnny K]

http://www.toys-n-cars.com/

You know, that's a fairly interesting site if you take time to sift through it.

[1320wayne]

Other than what has been mentioned there are other 1:1 automotive museums that have some pretty extensive model displays and collections. The few that I can name because I have seen them is the NHRA museum in Southern California that has a large contingent of models displayed. Don Garlits museum of drag racing in Ocala, FL has quite a few models displayed. The North Carolina Motorsports museum just North of Charlotte has many displayed. And the Talladega Speedway museum has a good collection as well.

No other stand alone locations that I know of.

[peter31a]

You know, that's a fairly interesting site if you take time to sift through it.

Dean Milano used to have a brick and motar toys and cars museum but did not get enough support and could not keep it open (I believe, I could be totally wrong on this). It is now as far as I know a virtual presence only.

[Danno]

Dean Milano used to have a brick and motar toys and cars museum but did not get enough support and could not keep it open (I believe, I could be totally wrong on this). It is now as far as I know a virtual presence only.

Quite correct.

[Austin T]

Dean Milano used to have a brick and motar toys and cars museum but did not get enough support and could not keep it open (I believe, I could be totally wrong on this). It is now as far as I know a virtual presence only.

Sadface

[Johnny K]

Dean Milano used to have a brick and motar toys and cars museum but did not get enough support and could not keep it open (I believe, I could be totally wrong on this). It is now as far as I know a virtual presence only.

I wasn't aware of that. I suppose a lack of interest and admissions support would make it difficult to maintain. That's quite unfortunate, and probably explains why I'm not finding more. Still, I would think (hope) one would be feasible in the right location.

As for the virtual museums, there seems to be more of a scarcity there than one would expect also.

[Johnny K]

Other than what has been mentioned there are other 1:1 automotive museums that have some pretty extensive model displays and collections.

Yes, now that you mention it, I've heard of a few of these. Seem to recall something of the sort in Vegas, but I could be wrong on that. Thanks for the suggestion - I'll check further on it.

[plastic-mechanic]

this link may have come from this forum; i disremember.

 

http://www.speedhunters.com/2012/05/a-history-of-drag-racing-in-miniature/

[tim boyd]

Here's an extensive photographic tour of the International Model Car Builder's Museum in Sandy, Utah.  

They have been trying to update the website but finding volunteers to do the work has been problematic.  

The physical presence, on the other hand, is truly awesome.   Check out this link and see if you agree.....TIM 

 

 

[Russell C]

... http://www.themodelcarmuseum.org/ .... the home web page is not as well-constructed as one might hope, but also because a casual look through the contents seems to indicate that it hasn't been updated for a few years.....

Alas, as underfunded as the IMCM is, which results in the website running behind on updates, don't let that appearance dissuade you from visiting. Speaking from my multiple visits during the GSL contests, and from news of major new recent model acquisitions, let me suggest that you make a particular effort to visit it. Tours will be happening during next year's GSL, with presentations of that new material happening at that time, and it is available for private tours, but through reasonable advance inquiry.

Edited August 13, 2016 by Russell C

[Howard Cohen]

Yes, there are 1:1 car museums that have a model display including the Indy Museum that has a display of Indy cars.

In Essex, Ontario, Canada, there is the Transportation Museum that has a display of model cars, not very extensive, from a former hobby store where the owner passed away and left the models to the museum. 

The Canadian Automotive Museum in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada has a stash of model cars but no space to display them. They are renovating the museum (a 10 year plan) and hope to have space in the future.

There is a military museum in Ontario that inherited a model car collection of about 1000 pieces in 2008. I happened to see the collection before it went to the museum and take a few photos. I have contacted the museum and they told me the collection is stored until they can find space for it and sort through it. Yes, I volunteered but they  don't take outside help. http://public.fotki.com/howardcohen/collection-hanover-2008/

As for the museum in Utah, it seems to be only open a few days every two years, so highly doubtful you will get to see it. I know of a few people who tried to make an appointment to see it, only to show up and find the door locked  

Yes, we do need more model museums but where, by whom and this hobby would have to support it and that is a tall order  

 

 

[plastic-mechanic]

http://www.themodelcarmuseum.org/index.html

[plastic-mechanic]

http://www.scalemodelnews.com/2016/07/brussels-amazing-moof-museum-home-of.html#more

[plastic-mechanic]

http://moofmuseum.be/

[IHSS]

There's Hartmann's model railroad museum in Intervale NH that has a small section of car models. http://www.hartmannrr.com/ . A must stop type of place in norhtern NH if your visiting the area not far from the White mountain area. They have 2 large buildings, one's the museum and the other is the hobby shop. They also have an outdoor model train that you can get a ride around the grounds on.

[vamach1]

Here's an extensive photographic tour of the International Model Car Builder's Museum in Sandy, Utah.  

They have been trying to update the website but finding volunteers to do the work has been problematic.  

The physical presence, on the other hand, is truly awesome.   Check out this link and see if you agree.....TIM 

 

 

Are there more stock muscle cars and race cars?  It seems like 90% of the models are street rods, customs, trucks and drag cars.  A tv/movie car section (Barris) would seem logical.  Where's the Batmobile??   IMHO a broader appeal might be the way to go to generate more interest.

[plastic-mechanic]

this guys website is practically a museum for the type of cars you suggested. admission is free, too

 

http://spencer1984.com/my_models/indiana-jones-last-crusade.php

[tim boyd]

Are there more stock muscle cars and race cars?  It seems like 90% of the models are street rods, customs, trucks and drag cars.  A tv/movie car section (Barris) would seem logical.  Where's the Batmobile??   IMHO a broader appeal might be the way to go to generate more interest.

That's a good question.  

The International Model Car Museum focuses primarily on the historical works of model car builders, rather than the broad array of kits and building genres.  They prioritize identifying and then collecting some of the most famous and popular model car works from past national model car contests and the pages of historic model car magazines such as Car Model, Model Car Science,  Rod and Custom Models, the Auto World Catalog, and the early years of Scale Auto Enthusiast Magazine.  Given the era in which these models were built, they do tend toward the categories you mention, as for instance Muscle Cars really became a dominant build theme starting in the mid 1980's and onward.   

The kind of museum you are looking for might have been better satisfied by Dean Milano's Chicago-based Model Car Museum, but as noted above, it never generated enough traffic to become a sustainable enterprise.   That's really sad, as there was some really good exhibits there too.  

TIM