William F. Harrah collected approximately 1,450 automobiles, which he stored inside warehouses in Sparks, Nevada. It was the world's largest collection of historic automobiles, and was open to the public.

When Harrah died in 1978, Holiday Inn acquired his hotel-casino company and the automobile collection. In 1981, Holiday Inn announced that it would sell the entire collection, a decision that received some opposition.

Nevada governor Robert List attempted to delay the sale while working on a plan to have the state enact legislation that would save the collection. Businessman Thomas Perkins led a group that was interested in purchasing the collection. Both efforts to save the collection failed.
However, a nonprofit organization was formed that ultimately built the museum.

Holiday Inn donated 175 of Harrah's automobiles to the group and sold the rest of the collection through three auctions in the mid-1980s.

Private owners donated another 60 vehicles. The museum opened on November 5, 1989 in downtown Reno, Nevada.
Celebrity owned cars include;
  •    Elvis Presley's 1973 Cadillac Eldorado,
  •    Frank Sinatra's 1961 Ghia L6.4,
  •    John F. Kennedy assigned 1962 Lincoln Continental,
  •    John Wayne's 1953 Chevrolet Corvette.
The collection includes examples from marques such as; Auburn, Bugatti, Cord, Duesenberg, Ferrari, Franklin, Jaguar, K-R-I-T, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Pierce-Arrow, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, and Stutz.

Also on display is one of three 24kt gold plated DeLoreans built for American Express, a "Jerrari", a Jeep Wagoneer fitted with a V-12 Ferrari engine and formerly used for winter driving by William F. Harrah, and the only surviving prototype of Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion car.

The one-of-a-kind Phantom Corsair is also displayed at the museum.
The Museum features theater presentations, galleries, exhibits, vibrant street scenes and artifacts that bring displays to life. It’s a dynamic and popular venue for special events as intimate as 60 and as large as 1,200 guests. The Museum is also home to the Nevada Space Center, including the Challenger Learning Center of Northern Nevada.

10 Lake St
Reno, NV 89501
P:775-333-9300
Email: info@automuseum.org

 The National Automobile Museum (The Harrah Collection) has a
"Wow!" factor you don't often find in a museum.

   General Admission - $15.00
   Senior General Admission (62+) - $13.00
   Active Military and Junior General Admission (6-15yrs) - $10.00
   Child (5 and under) - Free