First Car show - Gilmore Museum

[buddyg]

So I took my new to me Cobra to it's first show. It was held at the Gilmore Museum in Hickory Corners, MI which is about an hour south of Grand Rapids.

I have lived in Grand Rapids for 33 years and had heard about this place but today was the first time I had ever visited. WOW what a place, I will let the pictures speak for themselves.





Didn't know this was here!

[buddyg]

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[buddyg]

This was a stunning car it just dropped my jaw!

[buddyg]

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[buddyg]

The 1938 Mercedes Benz 540K Sport Tourer stayed under the constant eye of a security guard as workers and volunteers from the Hickory Corners collection set up their display of 10 classic cars for the show, which opens to the public on Thursday, Feb. 6.

“It’s one of the rarest Mercedes in existence,” said Jay Follis, the Gilmore’s marketing director. Valued at $3.5 million by some car experts, Follis declined to comment on its value.

“It’s a question we’re often asked,” he said. “But how do you attach a number to something with such significant historic value? How do you put a price on that or to something which is the only one in the world?”

Not only is it the only surviving member of just two 540 Sport Tourers that were built, the sleek convertible hides a mystery dating back to the dark days of Dresden, Germany during World War II.

“It’s amazing to think that an automobile of this caliber and historical importance survived World War II,” Follis said. “In a war that cost 65 million lives, devastated much of Europe, and saw so many works of art and cultural treasures destroyed or stolen and lost forever, it’s simply astounding.”

While the exhumed car was complete and showed moderate wear, the current owners gave it a complete restoration, Follis said. The car is now on permanent loan to the Gilmore Auto Museum.

Even without its dramatic back story, the Sport Tourer is a beauty. Unlike many roadsters of the day, it features a back seat and a convertible top that hides beneath the rear decklid. The interior includes a mother-of-pearl dashboard. The 8-cylinder engine can take the big car in excess of 100 mph.

[MOTORHEAD]

Hi Buddy:
Was there last year for the all British show. Trailered my Cobra up th Michigan City, In. to show friends and family. Friend told me about the show at Gilmore so I called them to see if I could enter my replica. They said ok, so we trailered it up there. So many british cars we never saw the displays in the barns ! Only 4 cars in the 1965 and up class, which was won by a Mog 3 wheeler! Had a blast ! Didn't have a clue who the Gilmores were until we walked into the lobby of a newer brick building to get lunch. There sat an indy car from the 60's, 70's ??? with "Gilmore Racing" and famous drivers name( which now I can't remember!!) on the side! Oh yeah ! THOSE Gilmores!!!!!
What a neat place !!

[buddyg]

You need to go back and see the cars they have!

[CSX3183]

Jesus, you can't be serious, you can't remember his name!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by MOTORHEAD

Hi Buddy:
Was there last year for the all British show. Trailered my Cobra up th Michigan City, In. to show friends and family. Friend told me about the show at Gilmore so I called them to see if I could enter my replica. They said ok, so we trailered it up there. So many british cars we never saw the displays in the barns ! Only 4 cars in the 1965 and up class, which was won by a Mog 3 wheeler! Had a blast ! Didn't have a clue who the Gilmores were until we walked into the lobby of a newer brick building to get lunch. There sat an indy car from the 60's, 70's ??? with "Gilmore Racing" and famous drivers name( which now I can't remember!!) on the side! Oh yeah ! THOSE Gilmores!!!!!
What a neat place !!

[Avmaviator]

It is one of my favorite car places in the world. I love going there. In the summer, on an average Wed night, you'll have a couple hundred cars. Too cool! The cars they have are amazing, but the grounds are something to see too.

Thank you for the pictures.

[MOTORHEAD]

OK, it was A.J.Foyt, whom they sponsored from 1974 to 1985. I believe the car at the museum was a "coyote" ??
The place is unreal, 90 acres, they even have their own small road course, many old barns, 2 1930's dealerships (Ford and Franklin) and an old shell gas station.
Check out their web site, www.gilmorecarmuseum.org.
Car guy heaven !!

[buddyg]

Picture above is in front of their Shell gas station recreation.