Early Ford V-8 Museum is a go for annual show visitors
The Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum in Auburn, Ind., is one of three car museum visits planned for the annual IMOA car show Sept. 6-9.
The museum specializes in Ford Motor Company vehicles made between 1932 and 1953, including Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, commercial vehicles, tractors and Ford Industrial engines.
You’ll find artifacts, memorabilia, technical displays, literature and some of the vehicles that honor the Ford company and its influence on automotive and American history.
The Ford flathead V-8 engine was praised by celebrities from John Dillinger to Chuck Berry. The museum displays vintage cars and trucks (1932-53) powered by this legendary hunk of Detroit iron. Also here, a replica of the Ford Rotunda pavilion, which burned down in 1962.
What began in 2009 as an 8,000- square-foot museum, known as Phase I, is now a 27,000 sq. ft. facility, thanks to the efforts of many Ford V-8 enthusiasts. It is truly a destination.
The facility now consists of three major areas: The original Phase I section consists of a new flathead speed equipment display, featuring dozens of popular speed accessories of the 1932-53 era.
Two vehicles are on display: a 1926 Ford Model T powered by a decked-out Ford V-8 60 and a 1935 Miller Ford race car on loan from the Indianapolis Speedway Museum. Also in this section are a display of Ford V-8 powered industrial equipment; a Ford farming display; many flathead V-8 engines, transmissions, rear axles, etc. Many are cut-a-way models.
Also added is a 1940’s Ford garage sponsored by Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts, the Research Library, Gift Shop and an incredible Ford toy truck display on loan.
The next section is named the Frank Corey Gallery, where a collection of 1932-53 vehicles are on display. The late Frank Corey of New Mexico donated our first car back in 2009, an original 1946 Mercury Coupe. He also left the museum 11 other cars and an incredible cash donation.
The third section is “Floyd Motors.” Joe Floyd of South Dakota, donated 18 1936 Fords to the museum and the funds to build a 10,000 sq. ft. addition to house them.
Group Delphi designed and built an incredible, period-accurate, 1936 Ford dealership. This section also houses a rendition of the iconic Ford Rotunda. In the center of the Rotunda is a 1936 Ford stainless sedan that Joe also donated. It sits on a turntable and is visible from outside though the Rotunda’s center window.
