TACOMA, Wash. – Artifacts don’t stay in museums anymore – at least not at America’s Car Museum (ACM), the largest auto museum in North America. Three of ACM’s cars will trek across the U.S. this winter. Iconic American auto technology will take on snow and ice for an 11-day transcontinental odyssey, December 27 – January 7.
Called ‘The Drive Home,’ ACM is touring with three stunning red vintage cars, a 1957 Chevrolet Nomad, a 1961 Chrysler 300G 2-door hardtop and a 1966 Mustang, from Tacoma, Wash. to the place of their automaker’s origin, Detroit, Mich. The Drive Home concludes with the opening of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).
In conjunction with State Farm®, America’s Car Museum and the NAIAS will bring together automotive heritage and modern industry.
“Cars are meant to be driven, not sit idle in a museum. Driving these vehicles from the ‘Big Three’ American auto manufacturers will be a celebration of Detroit’s automotive heritage,” said ACM CEO David Madeira. “The cars chosen represent an iconic era when the ‘Motor City’ was undisputedly the automotive center of the world. And this rally celebrates the resurgence of Detroitand the American auto industry.”
“All roads truly lead to Detroit, as it remains the heart of the global automotive industry,” said Rod Alberts, executive director of NAIAS. “This cross-country trek is a perfect opportunity to showcase both Detroit’s rich automotive heritage in the vehicles that are participating, as well as the future of the automotive industry in the exciting next-generation products and technologies that will be revealed on the NAIAS stage in the days following the drive.”
The 2,400-mile journey will have stops along the way for enthusiast “rallies” in cities including Portland and Bend, Oregon; Boise, Idaho; Salt Lake City, Utah; Denver, Colo.; Kansas City and St. Louis, Mo.; Bloomington and Chicago, Ill.; and with major celebration in Detroit.
While in Bloomington, State Farm will host a rally at its headquarters. “State Farm has a 93-year history and a special connection to cars and the owners who love them,” said Ed Gold, advertising director at State Farm. “It is a great honor to sponsor this celebration of several of the cars that represent some of the greatest innovations that have been crafted in the United States.”
“I’m hoping many enthusiasts will brave the winter weather, hop in their collector vehicles and join
us along the way,” said Madeira. The trip will be a meandering festival with local car clubs joining
the drive, as they stop at auto dealerships, historic landmarks and car-culture hangouts.
Net proceeds from the road trip will benefit the Hagerty Education Program at ACM, a program dedicated to preparing young adults for careers in automotive restoration via hands-on, career-based training, scholarships, paid internships and apprenticeships. “The program is at the center of the Museum’s commitment to serve the collector community” said Madeira. “And what better way to serve that community than by ensuring that vintage vehicles will be preserved and maintained by skilled professionals in future generations.”
About LeMay – America’s Car Museum (www.americascarmuseum.org)
America’s Car Museum (ACM), named one of USA Today’s 10 Best Museums in Seattle and KING 5’s 2014 Best Museum in Western Washington, is an international destination where families and enthusiasts gather to celebrate America’s love affair with the automobile and how it shaped our society. The stunning, four-level, 165,000-sq.-ft. Tacoma, Wash., facility features 12 rotating exhibits, five annual Signature Events and serves as an educational center, hosting students of all ages. For more information on ACM, visit www.americascarmuseum.org.
About State Farm®:
The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto, home and individual life insurance in the United States. Its 18,000 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve more than 82 million policies and accounts – nearly 80 million auto, home, life, health and commercial policies, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State
Farm is ranked No. 41 on the 2015 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.
About the North American International Auto Show
Now in its 27th year as an international event, the NAIAS is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, providing unparalleled access to the automotive products, people and ideas that matter most–up close and in one place. Administered by Executive Director Rod Alberts, the NAIAS is one of the largest media events in North America, and the only auto show in the United States to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. Website: www.naias.com; Facebook: likeautoshow.com; Twitter: @NAIASDetroit