Today we travel to the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix, Arizona, for a closer look at what is certainly the best kept secret in Phoenix, if not in the entire world of vintage and rare automobile collections.
Martin Auto Museum opened its 22,000 square foot showroom and event center in 2005 as the brainchild of owner and founder Mel Martin. The idea was to create a museum dedicated to the preservation of collectible and rare automobiles for educational purposes. Building on his personal collection, the museum now houses vehicles representing significant periods in automotive history, from the replica of an 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen to a 2004 Cadillac concept car. Other notable exhibits include a 1905 Cadillac, a 1930 Duesenberg and an extremely rare 1966 Shelby Cobra, personally owned by the designer, Carroll Shelby, with an original odometer reading of a mere six miles.
The museum hosts private educational programs for area schools and scout troops free of charge. The focus of the programs is on the technological advances from the first “horseless carriage” to the present, and the extraordinary contribution the earliest automobile engineers have made to the entire culture of the auto industry. Other private events you can plan at the museum include everything from weddings (for that special couple who share a love of cars) to private parties and corporate functions.
You can visit Martin Auto Museum at 17641 N. Black Canyon Road, Phoenix, Thursdays thru Saturdays from noon until 5:30PM. Can’t make it to Phoenix? Then check out one of the virtual tours posted on their website at www.martinautomuseum.org.
