"The Automobile is the Art"
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News & Views for the Car Enthusiast! | |
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From the Desk of Darrel Burnett
Executive Director
February is without contradiction the most romantic month of the year and not because of the estimated $29 billion that will be lavished on sweethearts and soulmates this Valentine’s Day. No, February is the month that gave us the greatest love affair in American history…..I’m referring, of course, to the Super Bowl! Like all great romances this one started with a date…..Bart Starr’s “date with destiny” January 15th, 1967.
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The years have melted away the original gravity of this game and the magnitude of its meaning. At the time the forced marriage between the venerable NFL and the young, brash AFL ended in an uneasy truce disguised as a merger in June 1966. A merging of the leagues didn’t translate into a meeting of the minds, however. Far from it. Nerves were still as raw as steak tartare when Green Bay and Kansas City kicked off at the Los Angeles Coliseum in front of 61,946 fans. Bart Starr and the Packers carried the entire weight of a league on their shoulders that day. Starr completed 16 of 23 passes for 250 yards and 2 TDs in a one-sided 35-10 win over the Chiefs. 4 hours and 15 minutes of Bart Starr’s life turned an all-time great into a legend for all-time. | |
56 years ago this Friday, February 3rd, Sport Magazine presented Bart with a 1967 Corvette in honor of his MVP performance beginning a tradition that would continue for the next 50 years. With deep appreciation to owners Steve and Joyce-Lyn Altieri of Wallingford, CT, The Automobile Gallery is the only place in the world you can see Bart’s Super Bowl I MVP Corvette on display. Bart repeated his MVP performance the following year in Super Bowl II against the Raiders and was awarded a 1968 Red Corvette that was raffled to pay off the land mortgage on Rawhide Boys Ranch, a great cause the Starr family still supports. | |
Bart Starr February 3rd, 1967 | |
Bart Starr Super Bowl I Corvette | |
The Automobile Gallery & Event Center is honored to be a haven for this rich history. I lost a friend and a mentor May 26th, 2019, but I feel truly blessed to come to work every day and be reminded of how truly wonderful Bart Starr was on and off the field. I think it’s fitting that Bart’s Corvette is in original condition in honor of a true American original. | |
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Don’t miss Darrel Burnett’s Steering Column coming to an inbox near you on the 15th…
The Ford T-5, A Mustang With a German Accent!
If you aren't signed up for it, click HERE (then scroll to the bottom of the page)
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Happy Birthday Dr. Bruce Stoehr!
Happy Birthday to our friend Dr. Bruce Stoehr who will be celebrating his 92nd birthday February 7th!
We were treated to a visit from Dr. Stoehr, his wife Jane and son Tim recently when they paid a visit to see their rare 1964 Pontiac Catalina 2 + 2 on display at The Automobile Gallery & Event Center. Of the 257,768 Pontiac Catalinas built in 1964, this is 1 of just 998 built in a configuration that includes a monstrous 421 cubic inch engine. It has been in the Stoehr family since 1967.
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Man of the Century!
The Automobile Gallery & Event Center is proud to feature some of the rarest automobiles in the world, but we’re also proud to have some of the rarest friends too. Did you know that fewer than 1% of the U.S. population ever reaches the age of 100? A great friend of the Gallery and IndyCar aficionado, Magic Bill Hunter joins that elite club February 22nd when he celebrates his 100th birthday! Magic Bill has thrilled and amazed audiences around the world with his incredible magic act including an unprecedented 50 years entertaining at the Indianapolis 500 from 1969 until his retirement in 2019!
To suggest that Magic Bill has led a “magical” life would be an understatement. Race car legends Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, and the Unsers are among his dearest friends along with past and present superstars like Cary Grant, Paul Newman and Arnold Palmer.
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Magic Bill with A.J. Foyt’s Coyote #14 | |
Magic Bill with Indy 500 Champion Tom Sneva & Wife Sally | |
A skilled pilot and lifelong fan of aerospace, it isn’t any surprise that Magic Bill counted NASA’s Astronauts among his best buddies. Since Buzz Aldrin is one of those pals, let’s just say that we are Over the Moon about Magic Bill Hunter reaching the century mark! | |
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While we’re celebrating the century mark, this is also the 100th birthday of the gas station. In 1913, the very first gas station in America opened on Baum Boulevard in Pittsburgh, PA. Gulf Oil thought it was a great way of publicizing its brand despite the automobile industry being in its infancy. There were only 1.2 million cars spread across the entire country at the time, but Gulf’s gamble paid off. Within 7 years, the number of automobiles had multiplied to 7.5 million and by 1925 that number had skyrocketed to 20 million vehicles. 100 years later, there are more than 145,000 gas stations in the U.S. filling the tanks of 250 million cars and trucks.
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EddieWorld
Just how far have gas stations come in 100 years? EddieWorld in Yermo, CA, located between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, features a 26,000 sq. ft. building with three full-size restaurants, endless fast-food and retail options plus 26 gas pumps and 24 charging stations for electric vehicles. We thought you might get a charge out of knowing that.
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Denis Zepnick
The Artist of The Automobile!
The Automobile Gallery & Event Center is dedicated to presenting and preserving “The Automobile is the Art”. This month we take great pride in celebrating the artist!
Denis Zepnick is a dedicated member of our Pit Crew and has had a passion for cars and photography his entire life. Denis enjoys combining his passion for automobiles and photography into beautiful art. Denis took a photo of the hood ornament from our rare 1937 Packard 120 and added a gorgeous sunset to create this masterpiece.
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Your favorite craft beer festival is back for the 5th year in a row! Join the fun with 26 breweries from across Wisconsin, brats from The Meat Block, and Irish music from Jerry Sloane.
March 4, 2-6p.m.
V.I.P. tickets $65
General Admission $45 (presale only)
Tickets are on sale now!
Go to www.theautomobilegallery.org to get yours!
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Blood Drive at the Gallery
hosted with WOGB and American Red Cross
American Red Cross is hosting a March blood drive right here at the Gallery. Be a lifesaver; schedule your donation today.
The Automobile Gallery & Event Center
March 10
11a-4p
Sign-Up for your donation slot HERE.
All donors will receive 2 Gallery admission tickets too!
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Gallery Members Only Celebration
All Gallery members are cordially invited to a member-only celebration on March 23. Enjoy light hors d'oeuvres and a cocktail while you view new vehicles on display, meet fellow members and car afficianodos, and get to know the Gallery staff, board members, and volunteers.
March 23
4:30p.m.- 8p.m.
RSVP by March 16 to Megan Lehmann, Director of Community Relations, at MeganL@theautomobilegallery.org
**If you are not yet a member and would like to be, please call us at
920-437-9027 or follow THIS link**
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Gallery Event Schedule
(per event details to come soon)
March 4: Shamrock Craft Beer Invitational (link above)
March 10: Blood Drive hosted by WOGB and American Red Cross
March 23: Gallery Members Only Annual Celebration
April 13: Rock n'Roll Juke Box, Daddy D's Production
May 15-21: Brown County Historical Days (weekly admission deals and themed events)
May 20: Festa Italiano
June 17: Cars & Guitars Car Show
September 14: Cruisin' the Classics, Daddy D's Production
September 30: AUTOberfest
November 9: Patriotic Salute, Daddy D's Production
December 2: Old Fashion Chrismas, Daddy D's Production
If you have specific questions on an event, please reach out to Inquire@theautomobilegallery.org
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Community Involvement
As a charitable 501.3c non-profit organization, the Gallery's community roots run deep. In addition to helping support local charities with numerous fundarising items, we support local artistic movie producers too! Read THIS ARTICLE mentioning Executive Director Darrel Burnett's role and a star guest Gallery vehicle, 1908 Cadillac, highlighted in a movie scene which was recorded right outside of local restaurant, The Depot.
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GET INVOLVED!
Opportunities at the Gallery
If you or anyone you know would like to get involved with the Gallery we have three opportunities available right now:
**NEW** Front Desk Administration who will be the front line Gallery representative, greet guests, and field general questions.
Marketing intern to help us build our marketing plans and social media strategy
Volunteers to staff events, maintain the vehicles and Gallery, and educate guests
If interested in any mentioned role, please email Megan Lehmann at MeganL@theautomobilegallery.org
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Google Reviews - We'd love yours!
The Automobile Gallery & Event Center is already on most Top 10 Lists for great things to do in Northeastern Wisconsin, now you can help even more visitors find us by giving us a great Google review.
CLICK HERE to leave your review.
It's that easy! Thank you for your time and review - it means a lot to us!
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CARes for the Community comes to The Automobile Gallery & Event Center!
Our area leaders have generously allowed us to display their extraordinary vehicles all in the name of raising money for our area's youth services.
If you're interested in participating, contact us at inquire@theautomobilegallery.org!
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Memberships at
The Automobile Gallery
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We have memberships for individuals, couples, families, and corporations!
All memberships include:
- Unlimited visits to the Gallery for one year
- Discounts on all gift shop purchases
- Discounts on special event tickets
- Early ticket sales for special openings and special events
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The Automobile Gallery is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the enjoyment and enrichment of our visitors and community. Becoming a member of The Automobile Gallery helps support its mission, which in part is to educate, inspire and share the passion of the automobile with others. Through the generosity of memberships, donations, admissions and event income, The Automobile Gallery will continue for generations to come as one of the finest galleries of its kind in the country.
You may support The Automobile Gallery by making a gift to our endowment fund. This endowment will provide funding in perpetuity for the Gallery to serve the community through various educational programs, exhibits, and interactive learning environments to teach the history of the American Automobile.
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Joyce-Lyn & Steve Altieri
Brent Baker
James Bednarowski
Christopher Boland
Ann & Steve Bradford
Kaleb Cieslewicz
Grant De Broux
Joe Griffiths & Family
Michael Sullivan &M2Logistics
Keith Obermiller & Family
Tom & Dawn Olejniczak
Jeff & Cheryl Tyndall
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Contemporary Automobile Gallery and Event Venue Where
"The Automobile is the Art"
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Gallery open 9:00am - 3:00pm daily, hours subject to change.
*Prepurchase Tickets and Gift Certificates Available*
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