Blog

Martin Auto Museum Erects 150 Foot Flagpole
December 23rd, 2024 was a really big day at the museum – our new 150-foot tall flagpole was set by Southwest Industrial Rigging and American Flag and Pole Company.

The Golden Sahara II: The Car That Predicted the Future
In Rick DeBruhl’s Automotive Evolution, explore the history of the Golden Sahara II, a custom car built in 1958 that was designed to showcase futuristic automotive technology.

The Really Cool Chrysler Town & Country That’s Not a Minivan
Long before Chrysler sold the Town and Country minivan, they built a spectacular vehicle that focused on luxury and quality. It was expensive and beautiful. In Rick DeBruhl’s Automotive Evolution, look back at the 1947 Chrysler Town and Country.

The Golden Sahara II On Display at Martin Auto Museum
The Klairmont Kollections auto museum in Chicago has loaned the Martin Auto Museum the Golden Sahara II for display through the end of year. The Golden Sahara II is a futuristic concept car designed by American custom car designer George Barris and is based on the 1953 Lincoln Capri.

The Fins That Started an Automotive Revolution!
The 1948 Cadillac may not have had a revolutionary engine, but the styling helped usher in America’s post-war boom. The tiny “fins” at the back of the car were the beginning of a styling trim that many auto designers soon followed.

What the Heck is a LaSalle?
In Rick DeBruhl’s Automotive Evolution, explore the history of the LaSalle automobile. The video below highlights the LaSalle’s design, features, and historical significance, including its connection to the rise of Harley Earl as a prominent automotive designer.

The Model T Changed Everything
The Ford Model T did more than just put America on the road, it was a cultural and labor revolution. In Rick DeBruhl’s Automotive Evolution, take a closer look at the car that changed it all.

1929 Chevrolet Popcorn Truck
A recent addition to the Martin Auto Museum is this 1929 Chevrolet Popcorn Truck which in it’s time was a commercial vehicle designed and used primarily for selling popcorn and other snacks. This vintage beauty captures the essence of early American street food culture, delivering not just delicious popcorn but a slice of history.

Studebaker 1950-1951 Champion Starlight Coupe
World War II had ended and the remnants of the auto industry were retooling from the manufacture of planes and tanks to providing civilian transportation. Studebaker produced an iconoclastic gem with the 1950-1951 Champion Starlight Coupe. The “bullet nose” front end and wrap around rear window earned a populist tag, “Which way is it going?” With an excess of aerodynamics it earned both admiration and ridicule.

Classic Car Hood Ornaments – We’ve Got a Few
It is said that the first “hood ornament” or “Bonnet Mascot” was a Sun-crested Falcon mounted to Tutankhamen’s Chariot! In more modern times we still celebrate images of birds, fish, fanciful humans, geometric designs, brand manufacturers and more. Here at the Martin Auto Museum & Event Center we have numerous examples of each!