Last week I finally got around to visiting the Harrah’s Automobile Collection at the National Automobile Museum in my hometown of Reno. You know how it is, something quite wonderful is sitting on your doorstep so you never visit it…but if it’s a few thousand miles away then of course you’ll make the effort!

Anyhoo, like I said, last week I finally quit procrastinating and decided to check out Nevada’s premier classic car collection…and if you are ever in the area, so should you.

A little history:

Hotelier and casino owner Bill Harrah assembled over 4,000 classic cars until his death in 1978. His hotel and casino empire, and later automobile collection, were then sold to Holiday Corporation who later announced their intentions to sell off the collection piece by piece to private collectors.

A public outcry by Nevada residents immediately followed this announcement leading to the donation of around 175 of these automobiles to a non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving what’s left of the collection. Later, public and private donations helped build the Nevada Automobile Museum at its current location on the banks of the Truckee river in downtown Reno which houses the remains of the collection.

The rest of the 4,000 piece collection is now scattered around the globe.

What’s To See:

Firstly, I’ll say this: if you’re not into cars then don’t let that put you off of taking a trip to check this collection out. I’m not a big fan of motor vehicles but this museum is an experience regardless of whether you are a car fan or not.

The museum is a like taking a walk through history from the late 19th century through to the 50’s and 60’s. Each walkway between showrooms is decked out like a roadway from the past, complete with vintage movie theatres, 20’s mailboxes, fire hydrants, vintage coke machines and everything you’d expect to see from that era and have seen in those classic black and white movies.

It’s a very cool experience, which totally gives you the feel of walking through 60 years of American history in around the 2 hours it’ll take you to make your way around the place.

There are over 200 classic cars here to see, many on temporary loan from private collectors which boosts the remnants of Harrah’s collection. Years range from 1892 onwards, and features well known classic and vintage automobiles, as well as one of a kind, and experimental antique vehicles you’ve probably never heard of.

Each exhibit comes with its own placard outlining the name, manufacturer, date and place of manufacture as well as giving some piece of trivia or insight into the history of the car or brand. Original sale prices are also included…shame you can’t buy a Rolls Royce like that for $12,000 now…need a few more zeros.

As well as classics there are a few novelty additions including a gold plated Delorian (of Back To The Future fame) and right now, a fantastic VW beetle fully decked out in hippy era artistry.

As well as the cars there are numerous interactive exhibits and working models like a 50’s garage and other exhibits as you walk around. There are also many celebrity cars on the curb side as you wander around with names tied to owners like Sammy Davis Jr., John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Al Jolson and more.

The curators of the museum have done an excellent job of tying in the motor vehicles with the evolving history of America making this more than just a collection of cars and much more like a real experience.

The Museum was named among the “Top Ten Museums” by Car Collector magazine and selected the “Best Museum in Northern Nevada,” year-after-year, in Nevada Magazine’s annual reader’s poll, and it’s easy to see why.

If you’re ever in the area then this place is well worth a visit especially since it’ll cost you less than ten bucks for entry.

For more about the Harrah Collection and the National Automobile Museum, including current pricing, opening times and more on the exhibits and history of the collection check out their website at: http://www.automuseum.org

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