~October 2022~

From the Desk of Darrel Burnett

Executive Director 

As we slip out of September and officially fall into fall on this October Eve, we’re breaking with seasonal tradition here at The Automobile Gallery & Event Center. Instead of packing away our collector cars, we’re packing in all the fun we can before the leaves fall and the temperatures with them. We set seasonal sadness aside and we’re celebrating in style! 

Tomorrow, October 1^st, consider this my personal invitation to be part of AUTOberfest 2022! The name alone suggests that AUTOberfest isn’t like any other October event you have ever attended. The minute you arrive you’ll be greeted by more than 40 incredible German vehicles from across three states coming together for one purpose….TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD! Of course, Bavarian beverages are on tap and Nueske’s mouthwatering brats are on the menu. From 2 -6 pm Central Time just relax, hang out and be our guest for a feast for your eyes and your stomachs. I’ve checked and the forecast is calling for “Sunny and Satisfying” all day.

To say an eclectic collection awaits you is an understatement. For instance, collector extraordinaire Randy Krup is coming from the Chicagoland area with his agricultural artifact…. a 1962 Porsche tractor, 1 of only 1,000 that ever made it to North America.

If you thought Transsyberia was some orchestra that only comes out at Christmas time, we’re here to set the record straight. Transsyberia is 1 of 600 boulder blasters ever made equipped to go off the grid not just off the road.

Are Supercars and sleek rides more you style? We’ll take you from 200 mph to a chariot ideally suited for weaving your way through the brilliant colors of the season.

We have no idea of what awaits us this winter, but I have a big smile on my face right now knowing what awaits you tomorrow. I look forward to seeing you!

Don’t miss Darrel Burnett’s Steering Column coming to an inbox near you on the 14th…The El Camino…A Hybrid Ahead of Its Time!

If you aren't signed up for it, let us know HERE (scroll to the bottome of the page)

What: AUTOberfest

When: October 1st, 2-6p

Why: Because who doesn't want to browse through 40+ rare German vehicles, drink German beer, and eat German food!

How Much: Only $15 gets you admission to the Gallery to see the one-of-a-kind German display, 2 Zambaldi beer samples, and a pretzel necklace

German-styled lunch with Nueske's Applewood Meats and Not By Bread Alone's sweets available too! 

Purchase your tickets HERE!

It Happened 67 Years Ago Today

The headline is just as chilling today as it was 67 years ago. September 30^th, 1955, the clock was inching up on 5:45pm Pacific Time on a sunny Sunday. James Dean was on his way to a race in Salinas, California driving his new 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder. He never made it. As Dean and his mechanic Rolf Wütherich approached the junction of Routes 466 and 41 near Paso Robles, CA, 23-year-old Donald Turnupseed made an ill-fated left turn onto Route 41 heading north when his 1950 Ford Tudor drifted over the center line. Dean’s 1200 lb. 550 Spyder was no match for the much heavier Ford. The two cars collided head-on, and Dean was pronounced dead before reaching the hospital. Wütherich survived the crash but didn’t survive his friend’s death. Guilt and tragedy followed him the rest of his life and he died in a fiery car crash in 1981.

Dean’s life became a legend and so did his 550 Spyder which mysteriously disappeared in 1960 never to be recovered. The Automobile Gallery & Event Center is the one of the few places on the planet you can experience the 550 Spyder James Dean was driving that fateful day. Master collector Dale Besson owns 1 of the 78 exact recreations of Dean’s 550 Spyder ever produced and 1 of just 43 sold to the public. The remaining 35 went straight to racing teams. 

We are honored to pay tribute to a legendary actor and racer taken far too soon on this day 67 years ago. In his short 24 years on this earth James Dean never saw the world. In fact, he never made it beyond the borders of the U.S. in his young life. He didn’t have to. The world came to him. 

Happy Birthday 109^th Birthday to the Assembly Line!

October 7^th, 1913, something happened that continues to have a profound impact on our world 109 years later. On that day Ford Motor Company introduced the first automotive assembly line. Literally overnight, production of Henry Ford’s Model T went from nearly 13 hours the day before to just 93 minutes. Adapting techniques used in the meat packing industry dating back to the 1860s, Ford didn’t invent the assembly line. More importantly, Ford perfected it. All these years later, virtually everything in our lives from lattes to Legos arrives via an assembly line.

That first day in October 1913, Ford production supervisors Peter Martin and Charles Sorensen cobbled together a crude final assembly line in Ford’s Highland Park, MI plant. Using Martin and Sorensen’s system a Model T traveled all of 150 feet down a line staffed by 140 workers. Just think how far we have travelled since!

The Final 2022 $5 Friday

October 7

• $5 Admission all day
• Bar open from 3-6p for happy hour with drink specials

"God Bless the USA"

Patriotic Concert at The Gallery

The Automobile Gallery & Event Center has teamed up with the wildly talented and entertaining Daddy D Productions show to bring you the Gallery's first ever 'God Bless the USA' patriotic concert, celebrating our great country, all those who have served, still serving, and those who support them.  

You'll hear a fantastic mix of songs from the land of the free and the home of the brave including patriotic anthems, hits from the ’50s, ’60s, 70, and ’80s, good clean comedy; all surrounded by pristine collector vehicles (most are American-made too!).

Join us on the United States Navy's 247th birthday, October 13th at 6:30p, for this special occasion. Doors open at 5:30p to tour the Gallery.

Tickets are only $33 (Veterans, seniors, and students under 18 are $30).

Seating is limited so to reserve your seats, CLICK HERE

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!

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:

Marketing intern to help us build our marketing plans and social media strategy

Event Coordinator (casual part-time) to work and manage on-site evening and weekend events

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

Event Calendar Snapshot

October 1: AUTOberfest

October 13: God Bless the USA patriotic concert by Daddy D's

December 20 and 21: Good Old Fashioned Christmas show by Daddy D's

International Flare!

The Automobile Gallery & Event Center loves entertaining our friends from around the world. Along with recent visitors from France, Germany, Poland, Scotland, and Israel who stopped in to share the international language of the automobile, we welcomed avid car collectors Marilyn and Greg Cohen from Australia just the other day. This pair flew nearly 10,000 miles to be with us.