Don Garlits - Museum of Drag Racing, Inc. Ocala, Florida

Classic Car Museum

This is certainly one of the most unique collections of antique and classic cars in existence, Don Garlits has made it possible for you to come as close as possible to "yesteryear". Roam among the cars our elders grew up with. See what the garages and showrooms were like. Have you ever seen an old gas pump up close?
You cannot miss this collection. Plan on spending a couple of hours browsing the collection of Don "Big Daddy" Garlits' Antique and Classic Car Collection. Adjacent to the Museum of Drag Racing.
The Classic Car Collection has been a popular addition on the grounds of Garlits museums. Just ten years after the first expansion of the Drag Racing Museum, Garlits began a $750,000 major expansion project. Construction included a brand new main entrance, increased parking, and a new 20,000 square foot building designed especially for Antique and Classic Cars.
The Garlits Museums complex encompasses a 16 acre grassy plot which Don and Pat purchased in 1982. Garlits Museums are conveniently located on Interstate 75, only about 15 minutes south of Ocala Florida, off exit 341. The new main entrance is just a city block east of the I-75 off ramp on County Road 484.
The moment you open the front door and enter the museum you sense a step back in time. The displays throughout the museum are accented with banners, antique service station signs, and gasoline pumps dating back to the early days of the automobile. Just inside the museum entrance is a complete living room setting…"The Parlor," right out of the 1940's. These nice little extras add nostalgia to your visit, and are a reflection of the painstaking detail that is found in each of the exquisite cars.
Garlits has assembled a classic display of exceptional Vintage Cars, Early Fords, Hot Rods, and sixties - seventies muscle cars. Don's commitment to the museum, along with his knowledge of the flathead Ford V-8's and his focus on prewar Fords, led to a relationship with the Early Ford Foundation. Don struck an arrangement to display some of the Ford Foundation's collection, in with his personal cars, contributing to a display of about 70 pristine vehicles. This combination of early Ford cars could easily rank among the finest in existence.
Whether it's history or cars you can enjoy, an opportunity to scope out the prewar Fords is a real treat. Cars displayed in the museum range from the early 1900's to the classic muscle car era of the early 1970's. This collection is currently valued at more than $3.5 Million dollars. It is amazing to look at these well-preserved vehicles and realize their history goes back almost 100 years.
Visitors of the Classic Car Collection will see outstanding vintage specimens like the 1904 Orient Buckboard, built predominantly of wood. The Buckboard, having a retail price of $375.00, was originally advertised by the Orient Company as the "Cheapest Automobile in the World".
The wide representation of Ford automobiles begins with an un-restored original 1926 Model T, a 1932 and '34 Three Window Coupe, and a 1936 Ford Roadster that is also completely original …. Right down to its "Washington Blue" paint. Documenting facts and researching vehicle history has turned up cars like a 1940 Ford Coupe, which was first purchased by a department store founder, Montgomery Ward, for his daughter, Margaret, and a 1956 Chrysler Sedan that had once belonged to former United States President Dwight Eisenhower.
"Big Daddy's " 1950 Mercury, is two-toned in candy maroon over white pearl, and was once driven by "The Fonz" in the television series "The Happy Days". Garlits has added Chrysler Fire Power to his "50 Merc" with a 1958 392 Cubic inch Hemi. Also on display is a 1922 Buick Four Passenger Coupe, which was used in the movie" Cross Creek", and a 1909 Buick Horseless Carriage.
If the 1960's bring you fond memories, you will appreciate the variety of 1966 Mustangs and the Chrysler Muscle Cars, including a 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona. This rare 1 of 500 model has the 426 Hemi engine…built especially to meet the production requirements of NASCAR. The closer you look, the more you will appreciate this presentation of immaculate original and restored cars and trucks. Before you reach the mocked up early garage era, you will enjoy many fine Studebaker models, and a 1925 Chevrolet Rack Body One-Ton Truck, and the rare and unusual 1917 Locomobile. These are a few of the highlights to the Classic Car Collection, however, many other fine cars await you at Garlits , which will make our visit a special occasion.
The deep commitment that propelled Don Garlits to Drag Racing fame, results from his view of a purpose. Once again, due to Don's purpose, the artifacts at Garlits Museums offer its visitors a unique experience in automobile history, making a visit well worth the small price of admission..