Reno’s National Automobile Museum: See Classic Cars

I’m not a gearhead. But, I do love history and learning about the past. So, that meant that a visit to the National Automobile Museum in Reno offered an opportunity to learn auto history as I walked through the more than 200 cars showcased at the site. Join us for a tour of the National Automobile Museum to see classic cars and more.

About the National Automobile Museum

The museum, located in downtown Reno, is a 3000 square foot building displaying vehicles from the late 1800s to the present day.

There are four galleries within the museum. Three galleries highlight different eras (the 1900s-1920s, the 1930s-1940s, the 1950s-1970s). The fourth gallery houses celebrity cars or vehicles featured in major motion pictures.

Additionally, outside of the main galleries, you find many different galleries and displays of racing cars, motorcycles, and more.

History of the Museum

The museum opened in 1989. It began as a way to display the automobiles casino mogul William Harrah collected. Harrah, the founder of the Harrah’s casinos, was an avid car collector. His collection included rare vehicles from the earliest years of the automobile industry.

Initially, the museum was a storehouse of vehicles lined up in a warehouse. Most of the vehicles came from Harrah’s personal collection.

Over the years, the museum has morphed, creating separate galleries linked by avenues with with town facades along the avenues. You are now transported into Hollywood during the Golden Age of film, a 1950s cityscape, and more.

And, though it is the National Automobile Museum, you discover vehicles from around the world.

Gallery 1

You find the first auto gallery just past the front admission desk. Here you discover autos from the earliest days of the industry.

This is a walk through time and history. I enjoyed this gallery the most, because you were able to see the evolution of the automobile, from the humblest of beginnings.

In the gallery, you see automobiles run by steam. Early vehicles without steering wheels are displayed. Some of these autos have the most basic of windshields.

Windshield wipers were not always standard fare. I can imagine the driver needing to stop the car and towel off the windshield in order to continue travelling on rainy days.

Car horns are rather simple too. I could envision drivers placing a lit candle in some of the headlight cavities in these early cars.

The gallery includes a 1906 Adams-Farwell, believed to be the only model still in existence.

You’ll also find the 1907 Thomas Flyer which won the 1908 New York to Paris auto race.

It’s a blast to see the evolution of cars as you roam this gallery.

I took more than 100 photos at the museum. Too many to share. But I did create YouTube Shorts from each gallery. These brief videos, following each gallery subhead, give you more views of the autos on display at the National Automobile Museum

Gallery 2

This gallery has cars from the 1930s and 1940s. This was the era of the Great Depression. During this time, automobiles became status symbols of luxury for those who could afford them.

Since the vehicles became symbols of wealth and status, the design and features of those autos reflect that.

The autos become larger. They have a sleeker look. Vehicle features are more refined. You see more chrome, polished grills and sophisticated wells for spare tires.

But, you also find utility in this age too. The 1921 Ford Model T Kampkar is an example of utility. The car can convert into a camping vehicle with a pulled awning and picnic table. It’s like an early era Transformer.

Gallery 3 – The Classics

Here, you see those classic cars from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. This is the zone of the muscle car.

When someone mentions “Classic Cars” they are thinking of the cars in this gallery. Automobiles from the 1950s and 1960s feature prominently in this section of the museum.

This is the nostalgia gallery. As I walked through the gallery, I heard people commenting, “I used to have that car,” or, “Our family drove this one,” or “I always wanted to own this car.”

You are transported back to a day of Happy Days and American Graffiti. A time that seemed more innocent. Automobiles were works of art, and craftsmanship ruled the day.

Gallery 4 – Celebrity Vehicles

The fourth gallery showcases the vehicles of celebrities and autos used in film.

Did you know Elvis was a huge car fan? He loved cars, and loved buying autos. He often would purchase dozens of cars in a day, giving most of those automobiles as gifts to friends and family.

In this gallery, you can see Elvis’s 1973 Cadillac Eldorado.

You’ll find John Wayne’s 1953 Corvette Convertible. the 1949 Mercury James Dean drove in “Rebel Without a Cause,’ Lana Turner’s 1941 Chrysler Newport, and a 1962 Lincoln Continental John F. Kennedy used while in Miami.

And you also see vehicles featured prominently in movies, including Blues Brothers, Ghost Rider, Ghostbusters, and Jurassic Park.

Race Cars, Motorcycles, and Lightning McQueen

Peppered throughout the museum are other exhibits that don’t necessarily fit in the primary four galleries. Throughout your walk about the galleries, I saw motorcycles and race cars (including those owned by Paul Newman).

Much of the exhibits and cars come from a time in the past, long before my kids were born. I doubt they know who Lana Turner is. They may have heard of Al Jolson?

But, they definitely know the names Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater. Fortunately, the National Automobile Museum has replica copies of these two animated cars in real life chrome (and rust).

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a dose of nostalgia, the National Automobile Museum will likely tickle that nerve.

As I said, I am not a car guy, but I did enjoy spending time among the classic cars and appreciated the thoughtful homages to auto history. While I may not have understood or appreciated every nuance and feature of each vehicle, I did get to appreciate the development of the automobile through the decades and years.  I became a little intoxicated looking at the polished chrome and the powerful engines.

Although it may not captivate every child and hold their attention for hours, the museum would certainly be a place to take a family that loves modern history or loves film.

You Might Also Enjoy:

See coins from ancient times to today at the Money Museum in Colorado Springs

Discover gemstones, Egyptian mummies and more at Denver Science Museum

Speaking of classics of the 1950s and 60s, spend the night at the Retro Inn in Colorado.

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