TOUR AMERICA 2022, SAUDER VILLAGE CAMPGROUND, ARCHBOLD, OHIO

Sunday, August 14, 2022

Temperature 61 Degrees, Rain and more Rain

National Auto and Truck Museum

I believe if the rain keeps up we’re going to need an ark. It has been raining steady since yesterday morning. We’re OK, inside, dry and warm, and snug as a bug in a rug. I do feel sorry, though, for all those who came for the weekend. This past week was super with abundant sunshine and clear blue skies. And the week ahead promises more of the same. However, this weekend is a total wash out. Many who came on Friday already left yesterday and many more left early today. Sure can’t blame them.

Are you ready for one more automobile museum? I promise to be brief and just include some of the more interesting vehicles that were in this collection.

This museum was just down the street from the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum so you just had to know I wasn’t going to pass it up.

There were two floors with automobiles on the first and trucks on the lower.

A few of the more interesting automobiles on exhibit on the first floor.

An interesting concept but the war was now over and people were looking for cars that were extravagant and fast. Gasoline was cheap and no one was interested in compact cars.

Here’s something a bit different.

It definitely makes a statement and I’m sure it would have turned heads wherever it would go. Therefore, I have to wonder how many would have been sold if they brought it to production?

Contrary to what was said above, this one actually make it to production. It was introduced as the Chrysler Crossfire. It sold in the range of $35,000 and was well accepted at first. But the promised performance and handling was not there and sales quickly began to lag so by 2007 Chrysler announced it would be dropped from production.

This one is neither a car nor a truck but it sure turns heads!

General Motors developed 12 of these massive machines, known as Futureliners, that toured the country coast-to-coast during the late 1940’s and 50’s as part of the firm’s Parade of Progress. Designed to display modern marvels of the time, such as a microwave oven and jet engines they provided a glimpse into the future.

This example, number 10 in the line of production, used to tour Michigan in 1953. It then sat unused for many years until undergoing a complete restoration from 1999 to 2004. The result of that restoration is what you see here.

This display caught by eye and captivated my interest.

These are not models, but rather pedal cars!

How cool would it be to have one of these as a kid growing up! You would definitely be the envy of all the other kids I’m sure.

Ok, down to the lower level.

From this came the trucks we see today whizzing down the highways.

Talking about whizzing – this time across the Bonneville Slat Flats.

That is one massive engine in that truck! I wonder if I could stuff that chunk of steel in Elvira? If I could I bet I’d have absolutely no problem climbing any grade no matter how steep!

Something a bit more practical.

Just think of the statement you would make towing your trailer with this pickup. This truck has class written all over it – inside to outside.

So there you have it, a snapshot of another captivating museum. There was so much more here but I’m sure some already have that glazed over look in their eyes. However, if you are a gear head or just enjoying wandering among automobiles and trucks of all kinds I would highly recommend this museum to you. Go – visit – see – you’ll not be disappointed.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest. 

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before.