Automotive Treasures: Selections from the Joel E. Finn Collection includes significant pennants and race posters, some of Joel Finn’s favorite items, and several photographs that show the breadth of the collection.
Carrera Panamericana: La Máxima Competencia. The ultimate competition! This exhibit explores an infamous auto race, the Carrera Panamericana. The race was held annually between 1950 to 1954 and took place on the Pan-American Highway through Mexico. A variety of cars raced across the open highway, and the race was known for its daredevil nature, famous drivers, and accidents.
The Duesenberg and the Gangster. During the 1920s-1930s the Model J Duesenberg was one of the most luxurious and powerful cars of its time. It attracted royalty, Hollywood elite, and an infamous criminal clientele. With the success of these career criminals, the era of the gangster took hold and collided with the story of the Model J Duesenberg.
Duntov’s Stealth Fighters. In 1953, what was to become one of the world’s most respected sports cars was revealed, the Chevrolet Corvette. Aided by the legendary Zora Arkus-Duntov, General Motors was able to improve performance and design to develop the Corvette into a racing machine. With Zora Arkus-Duntov and his team leading the Corvette project, the Super Sport and the Grand Sport laid the foundation for future generations of Corvettes.
Rolling Sculpture: Automotive Mascots. The automotive mascot was popular from the early 1900s through the mid-1930s. Over 7,000 different mascots were manufactured by nearly 500 companies. These mascots were inspired by many themes, such as Greco-Roman mythology, Egyptian motifs, comic characters, and animals. Even a favorite paper weight or flagpole finial could have been, and was, mounted on an external radiator cap.
Travels in a Phoenix 8/10 and 11.9. Follow the path of a British military officer and his family on their adventures as they travel throughout India from 1909 to 1920. Find out what a family 100 years ago did for fun, their cars, and the effect Britain had on Indian culture.
