Ford and Gilmore Car Museums Michigan USA

Baz · #1 (**permalink**) 12-09-2015, 03:59 PM

We have just returned from a trip to USA and Canada. Whilst in Detroit, we visited the amazing Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn. We also took a run out to Hickory Corners to the Gilmore Car Museum. It's half way between Detroit and Chicago and as the name suggests, out in the country. The magnificent Gilmore displays are housed in authentic American Barns scattered all around the immaculate property.

Here are just a couple of vehicles that really impressed me at Gilmore's.

This is a 1964 Dodge 330 Hard Top. This factory 426 Race Hemi car was purchased new from Lundy Motors in St.John, Michigan by 19 year old Lynn Ferguson for $3,650. He raced it at area drag strips for a few years and after owning it for 15 years, sold it. After being sold an additional five times, remarkably it still retained its original numbers and matching engine. The current owner purchased it in 2011. The car has been mechanically restored and recently ran a quick 11.36 at 124 mph. It is thought that this is the only authentic 1964 Dodge Hard Top Race Hemi known to exist.

This 1965 Plymouth Belvedere Super Stock A990 Factory Lightweight 426 Hemi was the fifth car manufactured on the first day of Race Hemi production, 25th November, 1964 at Chrysler's Detroit Lynch Road Assembly Plant. It was also the only DDI Medium Blue Metallic Plymouth Hemi made that year. The car was purchased new from Kliptien Motor Sales, Cheyenne Wyoming in early December, 1964 for $4,938.20. The Factory Lightweight came with no heater, rear seat or seat belts and was equipped with thinner body steel, thinner tempered glass and thin walled exhaust, all in an effort to drastically reduce weight. Its well documented race history includes three years running at various drag strips, runs at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967, Pikes Peak during 1967 and 1968 as well as the 'Mint 400' road race in 1968.

MOTORHEAD · #2 (**permalink**) 12-09-2015, 04:16 PM

The place is impressive for sure! Was there a couple of years ago with the Cobra for the "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" british car show. I entered as an AC, but a new MOG won the class I was in. Never saw so many english cars in my life! So much so that We didn't get to see any of the barn contents. Did visit the replica ford and franklin dealerships, and also was tempted by 2 basket case sunbeam alpines in the swap meet area.
I highly recommend it for any and all car guys !!

MOTORHEAD · #3 (**permalink**) 12-09-2015, 04:21 PM

The place is impressive for sure! Was there a couple of years ago with the Cobra for the "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" british car show. I entered as an AC, but a new MOG won the class I was in. Never saw so many english cars in my life! So much so that We didn't get to see any of the barn contents. Did visit the replica ford and franklin dealerships, and also was tempted by 2 basket case sunbeam alpines in the swap meet area.
I highly recommend it for any and all car guys !!