Auto Shows/Museums

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Monterey Auto Week, 2008: Auctions, Concours & Classics

But there’s plenty else to do, parties to rallys, auctions to the many other concours events that have begun to flourish in recent years. Add it all up, and it’s automotive sensory overload. Last year, I attended The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, at Quail Lodge for the first time. I also spent three three days at the historic races at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey. In addition to meeting car owners and celebrities (including Jay Leno) at The Quail, I reintroduced myself to Bobby Rahal after the Legends of Indy event at Laguna Seca. Years ago, Rahal, the three-time Indy 500 winner, invited me into his motorhome on the infield of Laguna Seca. We  talked about golf for an assignment

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Monterey Auto Week: What's In A (No) Name?

Porsche and Ferrari were the attractions Monday on Ocean Avenue in Carmel and accompanying side streets. And on Tuesday marques from 1946-1971 were presented. Both days were nirvana for car owners and automotive enthusiasts. But the Tuesday gathering was particularly enjoyable, classic Volkswagen Beetles to a rare Kaiser Darrin, pristine Mercedes Benz coupes to an early Toyota Corolla, a prime example of the most popular car ever made. But what of this 10 days of automobile stuff? It begins with pre-historics at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and  ends with granddaddy of offerings, the famed Concours d’Elegance. Without an umbrella event overseeing the marketing, it seems like every event is out for itself. Which makes sense, since word on the street

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Auto World Museum: Fulton, Missouri

Upon my arrival and two hours into my drive from St. Louis to Kansas City, I stopped for the night near Fulton, Mo. And as I pulled into the parking lot of my motel, I noticed another connection to transportation and travel — a dimly lit road sign for the Auto World Museum. Since it was nearly 10 p.m. I waited until the next morning to explore. The following day, I had about a 2 1/2-hour drive to Kansas City, so I figured a brief stop at the museum would be a beneficial way to start the day as well as the pending long week of driving throughout the 600-mile race. The Auto World Museum, 200 Peacock Drive, Fulton, Mo.,

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Blackhawk Museum, Danville, California

Golf to real estate, the Blackhawk Community represents different things to different people. For automotive enthusiasts, what matters is the Blackhawk Museum. It’s a testament to rare cars, Bentley to Ferrari, Packard to Duesenberg. But the museum, which opened in 1988 is more than place to gawk at some of the world’s finest cars. Instead, it’s an interactive part of the community. The museum has increasingly popular docent training program. It has also been pro-active with a three-level education program from students. The museum welcomed its 150,000th student last June. The student programs area divided into grades kindergarten through third, high school and college. For young students, a docent-led mini-tour and education program, available on Wednesday and Thursday, is provides

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